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
How Egyptian activists are trying to curb polygamy A number of activists launched a Facebook campaign to add a new condition in marriage contracts, requiring the first wife’s permission for her husband’s second marriage. Egypt
Amid reconciliation efforts, Palestine sets its eyes on Gaza gas field The Palestinian Authority is deploying continuous efforts to begin excavation works in the Gaza Marine gas field off the coast of the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Will new tribal council ease Turkey's load in Syria? Twenty-nine tribes and clans in the areas liberated during Operation Euphrates Shield announced the formation of a tribal council with the support of Turkey. Syria
Trump’s policies radicalize Israeli, Palestinian stances President Donald Trump’s shift toward more radical policy positions on the Middle East is generating a radicalization in the tactical positions of both Israelis and Palestinians. Palestine
Congress pushes for new Iran sanctions amid Iran deal uncertainty With Trump set to announce a new, hard-line strategy on Iran today, lawmakers are advancing more sanctions on Tehran and its proxies. Syria
US diplomats cast doubt on America’s ability to constrain Iran With the Donald Trump administration poised to announce a more confrontational stance, career diplomats fear it could be too late to contend with a rising Tehran. United States
Is Erdogan's blame for ambassador overture to Trump? As Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rains blame on US Ambassador John Bass for the crisis between Ankara and Washington, some analysts wonder if Erdogan's tirades are an attempt to offer the "unique" US administration a way out of its visa move. Turkey
Iran's Intelligence Ministry, judiciary clash over sentenced nuclear negotiator Iran’s Intelligence Ministry denies claims by Iran’s judiciary that a sentenced Iranian nuclear negotiator was a spy. Iran
Iran wary of Trump’s plans in Iraqi Kurdistan Iranian concerns about the Trump administration’s plans for Iraqi Kurdistan appear to be tempering Tehran’s fury with Erbil over the Sept. 25 independence referendum. Iraqi-Kurdistan
Turkish telecom giant may end up in government hands again The 2005 privatization of Turkish telecommunication company Turk Telekom, the largest in Turkey’s history, may go to waste as the majority stakeholders are struggling to repay loans. Saudi Arabia
Kurdish referendum inspires statehood for Iraq's Sunnis too Last month's Kurdish independence referendum in Iraq has inspired some of the country's Sunni leaders to call for their own autonomous state in its Sunni areas. Iraq
Exploiting Palestinian workers is not ‘economic peace’ Palestinians increasingly depend on Israel’s goodwill to open its gates for poor West Bank workers. Palestine
