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
Rivals may team up to defeat Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has expressed his solidarity with Iraqi Kurdistan, indicating the possibility of an alliance with his former rival Massoud Barzani. Iraq
Russia, Iran in sync on preserving nuclear deal Russia's UN ambassador says the United States has "an irrational allergy" to Iran and should stop trying to constrain Tehran's influence in the Middle East by undermining the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Russia
Iran's Reformists rack up political points while smog smothers Tehran Tehran's air pollution crisis is worsening as the Reformists who now control both the city's administration and the presidency do little to solve it. Iran
US touts military build-up against Iran in Syria The Donald Trump administration’s stated goal of using US troops in Syria to contain Iran, while failing to offer a formal Syria policy, is irritating lawmakers. Syria
Trump stays in Iran nuclear deal for now, targets rights abusers US President Donald Trump once again waived Iran nuclear sanctions to stay in the deal, but he warned it will be for the last time if he does not get a legislative fix that meets his demands. United States
Iraq's Anbar eyes political battle as displaced return The competition for May's election has already started among Anbar's politicians, while there are still many IS sleeper cells in the province. Iraq
Turkey’s optimistic plans in Iraq seem to be faltering Ankara thought it had promising deals with the Iraqi government — such as a new pipeline from Kirkuk, Iraq, to Ceyhan, Turkey, and a new crossing to Iraq — but the proposals now are in question. Iraq
Lebanon’s energy promise could be regional game changer If handled correctly and the status quo between Hezbollah and Israel is maintained, Lebanon’s oil and gas exploration process will lead to the production of energy in 2021-22. Israel
Turkey’s national booze under government siege On top of sky-high taxes on liquor, the Turkish government has moved to thwart the home brewing of raki, the much-coveted national booze. Turkey
Tailored classes ease Syrian kids' transition to Egypt Supplemental classes and alternative schools are popping up all over Egypt to help smooth the transition of displaced Syrian students. Egypt
Tunisians fear another bread revolution Tunisians took to the streets to protest the government’s state budget and austerity measures, leading to violent clashes that raised concerns about a repeat of the bread riots of the 1980s. Tunisia
Netanyahu plays the victim card, again Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has managed to shift the public's focus from his son Yair's nauseating behavior to trying to legislate the ability of workers to make recordings of government ministers. Israel
