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
Congress calls Trump’s bluff on threat to cut aid over UN vote Democratic lawmakers made clear they will oppose any move to slash assistance to countries that vote at the United Nations to criticize the president's position on Jerusalem. Palestine
Are hit squads about to take aim at Turkey's dissidents abroad? A Turkish parliamentarian has told Al-Monitor that Western officials believe dissidents and religious minority leaders in exile are being targeted by Turkish government operatives for assassination. Turkey
Will Tehran be able to withstand 'long overdue' quake? The recent earthquake in western Iran renews talk of how prepared Tehran is for a big quake, which experts say is long overdue. Iran
Iranians furious over rumors of 70% increase in MP salaries Rumors of an impending 70% increase in Iranian parliament members' salaries have angered the public and media. Iran
Pro-Erdogan media targets Saudis after Trump's Jerusalem decision Let's hope Turkey can afford its alienation of Saudi Arabia and Saudi allies for the cause of Jerusalem. Saudi Arabia
Netanyahu works to pre-empt potential indictment Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu already started explaining why he has no intention of quitting if police recommend his indictment. Israel
Kurdistan quickly descending into chaos For a third day, thousands of angry protesters turned out in Sulaimaniyah in Iraqi Kurdistan and clashed with security forces as the KRG faces a governing crisis. Iraq
Abbas' diplomatic offensive Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has announced that he will apply for Palestine to join 22 international agencies and organizations to which Palestinians have a right to full membership. Palestine
Abbas trapped by Trump following Jerusalem proclamation Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is trapped by a US administration that does not understand the regional damage caused by the Jerusalem proclamation. Palestine
Saudi-Egyptian broadcast deal raises issue of censorship In line with the reform campaign launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi TV has signed a contract to broadcast two Egyptian-produced series. Saudi Arabia
Istanbul summit exposes divisions within Arab world The Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit exposed Arab differences and Arab-Islamic tensions, and the reactions to both the OIC summit and the Arab League meetings were similarly pessimistic. Legacy: Gulf
Iran's Soleimani sends message of defiance in calls to Hamas In the aftermath of the US president's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the head of the Quds Force called the leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad to affirm Iran's ongoing political and military support. Palestine
