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 drawing closer to Azerbaijan Long marred by political tensions largely driven by Iranian suspicions of Azerbaijan’s ties with Israel, relations between Baku and Tehran are beginning to reach new heights. Iran
Erdogan to make diplomatic push to defuse Saudi-Iranian dispute Turkey's president is set to visit Russia, Kuwait and Qatar to seek a resolution of a crisis Turkey fears could engulf the region. Turkey
Gold trader case threatens economic fallout for Turkey The sanctions-busting case against Iranian-Turkish businessman Reza Zarrab in the United States has raised the specter of continuing tensions in US-Turkish bilateral ties, with serious implications for the Turkish economy. Turkey
Arab-Israelis fear new bill to increase security guards' powers A bill initiated by Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan aimed at enlarging security guards’ responsibilities has sparked fear among Israeli-Arab bus drivers of an increase in violence against them. Israel
Why Israelis support Netanyahu despite scandals Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is still polling well despite the increasing entanglement of himself and his close associates in potentially criminal scandals. Israel
Shock suspension of Iranian hard-line daily over headline Kayhan, the mouthpiece of Iran’s hard-liners, has been suspended for two days after a headline suggesting that Yemen’s Houthi movement will attack Dubai. Saudi Arabia
Erdogan's mayor purge leaves almost half of Turkey without elected officials Following a series of expulsions and forced resignations by the Turkish government, tens of millions of Turkish citizens have seen their elected mayors removed from power only to be replaced with government-selected "custodians." Turkey
Turkish prime minister’s family caught up in Paradise Papers leak Popular Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim denies any wrongdoing after his close family members appeared in the Paradise Papers that list companies and individuals who shield their wealth in offshore tax havens. Turkey
Russia, Oman size each other up as potential Mideast allies Despite a challenging history, Russia finds common ground with Oman, which sometimes seems the "odd man out" in the Gulf. Oman
Gaza traders, consumers welcome end of double taxation Palestinians in the Gaza Strip hope reconciliation will bring economic relief with the end of Hamas-imposed taxes and fees on top of those paid to the Palestinian Authority on imports. Palestine
Syria conflict takes its toll on Golan Druze While the Syrian war has taken quite a toll on Syrian Druze in the occupied Golan Heights, some of the Druze fear Israel could use them as a pretext for expanding cross-border military moves. Palestine
How Israel's ultra-Orthodox Shas Party lost its way The Shas Party that was once a social and political home for Mizrahi voters is now a sad copy of the Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox parties. Israel
