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
Why Erdogan fired Turkey’s top cleric The departure of Mehmet Gormez, who headed Turkey's Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), had many wondering if he was not loyal enough to the Turkish president. Turkey
Abbas' last stand Israel is punishing Palestinian Authority officials in the hope that they will exert sufficient pressure on President Mahmoud Abbas to renew security coordination with Israel. Palestine
Palestinians warn Abbas could dismantle PA in 2018 Palestinians warn that President Mahmoud Abbas might decide at the beginning of 2018 to dismantle the Palestinian Authority and cancel the Oslo Accord. Palestine
How long can Gaza survive with no water? A water shortage has led citizens to dig expensive water wells to meet their basic needs despite the dangerous impact of over-extraction on the Gaza Strip aquifer. Palestine
Talent continues to leave Iran in droves The untimely death of Iranian-American math genius Maryam Mirzakhani gives rise to renewed debate on the issue of "brain drain" in Iran. Iran
Iraqi clerics fuel dispute over Kurdish independence As the Kurdistan region is preparing for a referendum on independence, the religious authorities from both Kurdish and Arab sides are fueling the political dispute over the issue. Iraq
Iraq, Iran struggle for control over Popular Mobilization Units The Popular Mobilization Units are divided into two rival groups, with some wanting to join the Iraqi army and others wanting to remain independent. Iraq
Congress moves bill cutting Palestinian aid over ‘martyr’ stipends The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 17-4 for the Taylor Force Act after modifications were made to get Democrats on board. Palestine
Turkey tells a story with major military personnel moves Turkey's military council made some surprise decisions this week that provide insight into the president's re-election strategy. Turkey
US pushes back on Turkish media claims about Syrian Kurds US Embassy in Ankara refutes fevered claims about aid deliveries to Syrian Kurds. Syria
Rouhani officially begins second term Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is set to begin his second term after being officially endorsed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran
Rouhani, Reformists battle over Cabinet picks Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani is facing pushback over his second-term Cabinet appointments. Iran
