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
Iran boosts restrictions on internet amid protests Despite its importance to the economy, Telegram is blocked in Iran and will open once the company removes content that authorities say advocates violence. Iran
Demirtas steps down as Turkey's Kurds ponder new strategy Selahattin Demirtas plans to relinquish his post as co-chair of the Peoples' Democratic Party, as Ankara continues to repress political opposition. Syria
Iranian Kurds hesitant about joining protests While some major urban centers in western Iran have been engulfed in the recent wave of protests, most small Kurdish towns and cities have remained quiet. Iran
Is ice finally thawing between EU, Turkey? Ending 2017 on a comparatively higher note, recent conversations and visits between officials from European countries and Turkey could help nudge both sides to better relations in 2018. Turkey
Is Sisi's security reshuffle actually election strategy? People are scrutinizing moves by the Egyptian government and military for possible connections to the upcoming presidential elections. Egypt
Israel caught between Trump and Gaza suffering Israel recognizes UNRWA’s role in preventing starvation in Gaza, so it cannot openly endorse the Trump administration's apparent desire to cut aid to the organization. Palestine
Impoverished Gaza's economy on verge of total collapse The economic situation in the long-suffering Gaza Strip has become so dire, some economists are calling on ex-pats to pump money into the small enclave. Palestine
Trump's Jerusalem decision opens Israeli expansionism floodgates The Israeli ruling Likud Party has voted on a decision to annex the settlements in the West Bank to Israel, raising the anger of Palestinians who threatened to take the matter to international courts. Palestine
Netanyahu's coalition goes to war — with itself Recent proposed legislation has fractured the governing coalition, forcing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to roll up his sleeves to keep it from falling apart. Israel
Netanyahu, Abbas take off diplomatic masks While Likud ministers freely discuss annexation of parts of the West Bank, the Palestinians are preparing to request UN recognition of Palestine as a state under foreign occupation. Palestine
Russia sizes up Iranian protests Moscow is taking a low-key approach to the demonstrations in Iran, trying not to step on any toes while assessing how the unrest might affect Russia, as well as its efforts in Syria. Russia
Will Gul face Erdogan in 2019 presidential elections? In a recent tweet, former Turkish President Abdullah Gul, using guarded language, criticized the Justice and Development Party, setting off a debate about the 2019 presidential elections and a possible face-off with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey
