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
Turkish military hit by food poisoning scandal With hundreds of conscripts hospitalized and one dead from food poisoning, Turks from all political stripes demand answers. Turkey
Iran's missile strikes in Syria send 'message' to region According to Iranian officials, Tehran's strikes on Islamic State fighters inside Syria carried a wider message. Iran
Recapture of Iraq-Syria border point heralds new regional reality The move by the Iraqi and Syrian governments to link the forces under their command along their border is a new reality on the ground. Iraq
Settlers pressure Netanyahu to reject Palestinian building plan Settler leaders rebuke Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman's already approved plan for 14,000 housing units to be built at the West Bank Palestinian Qalqilya refugee camp. Palestine
Egyptian court hands down surprise victory for press freedom Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court has struck down a restriction on launching newspapers, but a replacement law that parliament is considering is an unknown entity. Egypt
Lebanon's civil society groups gear up for 2018 elections After Lebanon’s long-awaited electoral law was ratified, civil society movements and members are getting ready to join the elections that are scheduled to be held May 2018. Lebanon
Egypt's legislature thumbs nose at court, approves islands deal Egypt’s parliament shoved through approval of a deal to transfer Tiran and Sanafir islands to Saudi Arabia, but experts say the move violates the constitution and is likely to fuel public resentment. Saudi Arabia
Russia takes parliamentary diplomacy to Middle East As Russia’s participation in Mideast policymaking grows, its legislature is assuming a greater role in diplomacy there. Syria
Gaza's ticking sewage bomb Israeli expert and professor Eilon Adar warns that the electricity crisis in Gaza could provoke an ecological disaster both in the Strip and in Israel. Palestine
Turkey's Altay tank project not ready to roll after all Now that Turkey's government has rejected Otokar's bid for the Altay tank contract, other companies will participate in the tender, including BMC — a Turkish/Qatari partnership whose chairman is a close friend of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey
Netanyahu critic wins prestigious literary award Winner of the 2017 Man Booker International Prize, Israeli writer David Grossman has battled the occupation for decades. Palestine
Despite US strikes, Moscow still wants to work with Washington on Syria Though the Russians continue to protest US strikes on Syrian government forces and pro-government paramilitaries, the Kremlin is unlikely to respond as long as it remains focused on cooperation with Washington. Syria
