After Jordan, Emirates also furious with Netanyahu Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not only managed to get into a diplomatic row with Jordan, he also succeeded in angering the Emiratis. Israel
Iran operating new advanced centrifuges, nuclear watchdog finds According to an International Atomic Energy Agency report, Iran is now using IR-4 centrifuges to enrich uranium in violation of the nuclear accord. Iran
Lawsuit filed to close pro-Kurdish party after lawmaker stripped of parliamentary seat Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu, a pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party deputy known to focus on human rights abuses, was stripped of his parliament seat and a lawsuit was filed to close the party March 17. Turkey
Netanyahu courts Arab voters as 'Abu Yair' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has adopted a new strategy for the Arab public: cynically rebranding himself as "Abu Yair." Israel
Russia, Turkey stay close despite differences in Syria Turkey depends on Russia for civilian nuclear power plant. Syria
Congress links Egypt aid to Cairo’s ties with North Korea US President Donald Trump today signed into law a $1.3 trillion spending bill that places new restrictions on military assistance to Egypt ahead of next week’s presidential election. Egypt
How conservatives are elbowing out Reformists in Iranian cinema Even though most prominent Iranian producers and directors have Reformist leanings, it is conservatives who are the most proactive in this arena. Iran
Netanyahu needs Likud 'soldiers' to fight for his survival The pre-Passover celebration of Likud members reflected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s success of turning the Likud into a one-man party. Israel
Erdogan stays silent on Qatar amid Cyprus gas row Amid an escalating dispute over gas exploration off Cyprus, observers in Turkey are perplexed about why Ankara is sparing Qatar while harshly reacting to other countries and companies cooperating with the Greek Cypriots. Legacy: Gulf
Hamas, PA trade accusations after assassination attempt on PM The fate of Palestinian reconciliation hangs in the balance after the explosion that hit the convoy of Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah as he made a rare visit to the Gaza Strip March 13. Palestine
Russians fear Bolton may doom Iran deal, stoke arms race John Bolton's upcoming role as national security adviser is controversial not only in the United States; it's raising eyebrows, and concerns, around much of the rest of the world. Russia
Jordan protests escalate as lawyers boycott court Members of the Jordanian Bar Association are refusing to appear in the military-run State Security Court in defense of protesters arrested while demonstrating against the government's decision to lift bread subsidies. Jordan
Dozens of Iraqi journalists enter parliamentary race An unusual number of Iraqi media figures are running in the elections scheduled for May 12, joining a wide variety of lists. Iraq
Power-sharing deal could end dispute over Kirkuk elections Iraq's Kirkuk governorate will hold elections this year — something that hasn't happened in more than a decade — and officials hope the voting will end the dispute over running the province. Iraq
Erdogan seems unhappy with system he created in his image It's unclear whether Turkey's government respects the rule of law, even though the administration has redesigned many of the laws to suit itself. Turkey
Palestinians set to reject US peace plan According to American sources, the peace plan elaborated by the Trump administration will offer Palestinians limited sovereignty on limited territory. Palestine
