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
Is the sun setting on KDP-PUK dominance in Iraqi Kurdistan? Poverty, widespread disillusionment and the emergence of new political players could spell the beginning of a new political era in Iraqi Kurdistan. Iraq
Will removal of Egypt's spy chief leave Palestinians in a bind? Some Palestinians are concerned that the dismissal of the head of the Egyptian intelligence will affect Egypt's ability to mediate their ongoing reconciliation process. Palestine
Despite defeat of IS, Syria war risks major power conflict The United States and Russia should abandon "proxy wars" and back a new UN Security Council resolution for a regional peace conference. Israel
Will EU propose new Mideast initiative? The European Union hopes that minor additions to the Iran nuclear deal might pave the way for greater dialogue with the Trump administration on Iran and the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Palestine
How Egypt's government is responding to calls for election boycott Opposition groups are calling for a boycott of the March presidential elections after all would-be contenders were either jailed, prosecuted or intimidated out of the race. Egypt
Iranian women steadfast in campaign to attend soccer matches Despite crackdowns and unfulfilled promises by politicians, female soccer fans in Iran continue to protest — and to cross-dress — in their efforts to attend matches at stadiums. Iran
Democrat hawk says he’s sticking by Iran deal after reclaiming top panel spot Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., took back the top spot on the Senate Foreign Relations panel this week after prosecutors dropped corruption charges against him. United States
Iraq’s Sunnis want PMU out of their cities as elections near Sunni parties are pushing for the withdrawal of factions of the Popular Mobilization Units from Sunni areas for fear they might influence upcoming legislative elections. Iraq
Police chief interview plays into Netanyahu’s hands The interview of Israel’s Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh by Channel 2 was oddly premature, shifting the focus away from the investigation expected to lead shortly to recommendations to indict the prime minister. Israel
Is interior minister deceiving Israelis about deportation of migrants? Israeli Interior Minister Aryeh Deri claims that additional working permits will be issued for Palestinians to replace deported African migrants. Palestine
Pentagon plays down Russian influence in Syria after clash with US-backed forces Secretary of Defense James Mattis insisted that Moscow had little control over Syrian troops that attacked US allies; Mattis also dismissed fears that the United States is getting dragged into another Middle East war. Syria
Egypt imposes travel restrictions on journalists Reporters for state-run newspapers in Egypt will now have to get permission from the government to travel to certain countries. Egypt
