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
Gaza’s graduates finally get recognition they've demanded The Palestinian Ministry of Education announced a plan to recognize certificates issued by unaccredited universities established in the wake of the 2007 division in the Gaza Strip, allowing graduates to pursue higher degrees and work in public sector jobs. Palestine
IDF demands 'excessive' transparency from rights groups The Civil Administration in the West Bank has increased the information it requires from peace groups that organize face-to-face encounters between Palestinians and Israelis, and some activists say the new demands go much too far. Palestine
Egypt’s trade with Turkey grows despite political rift Egyptian efforts to attract investors and openness to Turkish investors have helped reduce Cairo's trade deficit with Ankara, despite ongoing tense bilateral political relations. Egypt
Could new development plan save Egypt's state TV? Egyptian state television, reeling under accumulated debts and an inflated number of employees, will implement a restructuring plan under the supervision of an unspecified "sovereign agency" amid fears that supervision could pave the way for intervention into media work. Egypt
Congress set to cut Palestinian aid Lawmakers included the provision in must-pass spending legislation to keep the government open. Palestine
US spending bill drops Turkey sanctions A draft spending bill has dropped proposed Turkey sanctions meant to target Turkey's detention of Americans and US consulate staff amid US efforts to ease tensions with Ankara. Turkey
Iran's supreme leader criticized for saying there is ‘free speech’ in his country Iranians have criticized Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for claiming that there is free speech in Iran. Iran
Iranian Reformists anxious as Rouhani takes turn to the right Iranian Reformists worry that the Rouhani administration will officially form a coalition with Ali Larijani, the moderate conservative parliament speaker. Iran
Istanbul cabbies rage against Uber The people of Istanbul quickly embraced Uber's clean, safe cars and polite service, and thousands of taxi drivers are starting to react with violence. Turkey
Jordan, Israel hedge their bets in southwest Syria Southwest Syria could become the next battleground in Syria's multiple regional wars amid a possible collapse in the US-Russian cease-fire agreement. Israel
Israel's acknowledgment of Syria nuclear strike sparks security debate The story behind Israel's 2007 attack on Syria's nuclear reactor challenges the assumption that Israeli generals are more competent than Israeli politicians at making security decisions. Israel
Palestinian budget excludes Gaza, unless it toes the line Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ratified the 2018 public budget — which includes a controversial, quid pro quo clause regarding funds for the Gaza Strip — without obtaining the proper approval, raising questions about the Palestinian Authority’s desire to achieve reconciliation. Palestine
