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
Pentagon receptive to Tunisian lobbying against proposed Trump aid cut Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef Chahed visited the Pentagon to push back against proposed military aid cuts. Tunisia
No time for rest as Turkey's Justice March reaches Istanbul The Turkish opposition's Justice March has ended in a triumphant rally of over a million people, but can Kilicdaroglu leverage the march into a coalition broad enough to challenge the Justice and Development Party in the 2019 elections? Turkey
Iran congratulates Iraqis on Mosul liberation A number of Iranian officials congratulated the Iraqi people and the army for the liberation of Mosul, underlying the importance of good relations between the two countries. Iraq
Iranian Principlists maneuver to contain hard-liners Most Principlists are actively working to contain radicals within their camp, but their endeavor isn’t being helped by pride among Reformists riding on the back of consecutive electoral successes. Iran
Erdogan readies for show of strength on anniversary of botched coup The ceremonies planned for the anniversary of last year’s coup attempt in Turkey represent not only a condemnation of military coups but also a drive to sanctify the new political order that Ankara has sought to install since the putsch. Turkey
Water pollution in Lebanon reaching dangerous levels Activists and scientists are increasingly concerned about water pollution in Lebanon and request action from the government, which has not acted on the urgent situation so far. Lebanon
In Jerusalem, secret sale of church land to developers revealed Arabs in the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem are calling for the church to remove Patriarch Theophilos III from office for selling church-owned land in West Jerusalem to Israeli developers, but there is no sign their voices will be heard. Palestine
Syrians catch breath as post-IS Dabiq takes shape With the help of its local council, aspects of a normal life are gradually returning to Syria’s Dabiq following the Islamic State's expulsion from the town in late 2016. Syria
UNESCO Hebron motion important to all faiths UNESCO's decision to classify the old city of Hebron as a world heritage site, despite Israeli protests, should be seen as a confirmation that the city's heritage is much bigger than disputes between Palestinians and Jews. Palestine
Turkey potential spoiler of US-Russian progress on Syria Turkey may find common ground with Damascus and Tehran in its concerns about Syrian Kurds; UNHCR notes trend of "spontaneous returns" in Syria; Turkey seizes property of ancient Christian community. Iraq
Saudi king shows no signs of slowing aggressive foreign policy Saudi Arabia has overextended itself militarily and economically and it would behoove it to return to a more traditional approach in its foreign policy. Saudi Arabia
Egypt takes action against spread of jellyfish on its Mediterranean shores Nomad jellyfish have been invading Egypt's Mediterranean beaches, affecting tourism; blame is being cast on global warming, pollution and even the new Suez Canal. Egypt
