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
Former Cheney aide will not take Syria envoy post John Hannah, the national security adviser to former Vice President Dick Cheney, has decided to decline the post as the US administration casts about for heavyweight diplomats. Syria
Trump takes center stage in Abbas-Putin talks While the Russian president expressed a desire to play a role in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, he made it clear that Washington remains a key party in future talks. Palestine
Pakistani guard returns to Saudi Arabia Although the small force is officially there on a train-and-assist mission, the arrangement is reminiscent of a military practice from decades ago designed to protect the Saudi royal family from domestic and foreign threats. Saudi Arabia
Turkish genealogy database fascinates, frightens Turks The government has made Turkey’s population registers public for the first time, identifying ethnic Armenians and other minorities, and excited Turks immediately crashed the system. Turkey
What Trump needs to know about Iranians US President Donald Trump must take note of the erosion in goodwill toward the United States among Iranians before it is too late. United States
Netanyahu risks implication in third scandal After recommending to the attorney general to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in cases 1000 and 2000, investigators are now looking into another case involving Netanyahu and his associates. Israel
Turkey’s assault adds to 'climate of repression and decline' in northern Syria Iran tries to broker deal between Ankara and Damascus to contain fighting over Syrian Kurds. Syria
Afrin puts Turkish-Iranian-Russian mistrust on full display More than anything, the situation in Afrin puts on full display the deep and lingering mistrust between Iran, Turkey and Russia. Syria
Anxious Turkish investors eyeing opportunities abroad Mounting political tensions, uncertainties and declining rule of law in Turkey are pushing Turkish entrepreneurs to consider investing abroad. United Arab Emirates
Iraq's Sistani becomes top target as elections approach Both militant and media efforts to undermine top Shiite cleric Ali al-Sistani are increasing, likely part of a campaign to reduce his influence and hold him and others accountable for corruption in the Iraqi government. Iraq
Tillerson deviates from Trump's position on Palestinian refugee agency US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson supports developing a sustainable funding mechanism for UNRWA, but it is unclear whether he can convince anyone else in the Trump administration of such an approach. Palestine
Migration from Libya down but threat of torture, death remains Despite the risks of getting caught and tortured or killed, migrants still chance the route to Europe through Libya, where the volatile security situation can work in their favor. Syria
