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
Iranian hard-line cleric supports protests, with caveat Conservative voices have condemned the violence at protests but concede some Iranians have economic grievances. Iran
Iran grapples with how to deal with protests As the picture of the protests in Iran becomes more clear, it is evident that the main challenge for the establishment is how to deal with them. Iran
Three months after Baghdad took control, tensions high in Kirkuk The return of Iraqi federal rule in Kirkuk has brought about tensions between the Kurds and others amid joint attempts by the Kurds and the Baghdad government to calm the situation in the province. Iraq
Erdogan takes total control of Turkish defense industry With yet another emergency status decree, Turkey's president makes himself top gun of the country's entire defense industry. Turkey
Turkish government blames protests in Iran on the West Turkey’s pro-government media say an American-Israeli conspiracy to destabilize Iran has brought Iranian protesters to the streets. Turkey
Israeli centrist leader at war with UNRWA Contrary to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid wholeheartedly embraced the threats by the Trump administration to cut UNRWA financing, which has the potential to create a humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Hifter set to cast wide influence in potential Libyan elections Libya’s military strongman, Khalifa Hifter, announced his support for UN-backed elections in the country in a surprising move that could see Hifter and his supporters sweep up power. Libya
Egypt eyes extensive role in Syria reconstruction efforts Egyptian companies are seeking to participate in the reconstruction of Syria and communicating with the concerned Syrian parties to discuss their involvement. Egypt
Will Fatah launch 'intifada of independence'? Palestinians warn that absent a diplomatic route toward Palestinian statehood, Fatah might launch in 2018 an intifada of independence. Palestine
How Ahed Tamimi became an icon to Palestinians With her indictment in Israeli court last month, 16-year-old Palestinian Ahed Tamimi has reached hero status among Palestinians for her confrontations with Israeli soldiers. Palestine
Has Israel’s defense minister changed approach on Hamas? Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman estimates that provoking Hamas and generating a military confrontation with the group does not serve Israel’s security interest. Palestine
Iran protests reveal Republican fracture over nuclear deal Iran hawks are pushing the Trump administration to terminate the agreement, but Republican leaders worry US pressure could backfire. Congress