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 mothers take up civil disobedience Anyone who dares protest Erdogan is branded a dangerous terrorist and subjected to cruel and unusual punishment, even elderly mothers. Turkey
Israeli lawmaker's selfie with Trump draws scorn Knesset member Oren Hazan's selfie with President Donald Trump highlights the increasingly offensive behavior of Israel's elected officials. Israel
Egypt's journalists decry attack on free speech as 21 websites banned Egyptian authorities have banned 21 news websites, including a prominent independent site, claiming they promote terrorism and "spread lies." Egypt
Egypt hopes new residency-for-deposits system will boost investments Kamal Amer, the head of the Egyptian parliament's National Defense and Security Committee speaks to Al-Monitor about the residency-for-deposits system in Egypt and explains Egypt’s official stance toward the Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir. Saudi Arabia
For now, Israel stuck paying Gaza's electric bill With the Palestinian Authority unwilling to pay for electricity in the Gaza Strip, Israel has become solely responsible for providing electricity to Gaza free of charge. Palestine
Israel's economic aid to PA only temporary fix Israel is preparing to implement a series of economic concessions to the Palestinians, which some see as a step to circumvent a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestine
Boosting ties with Moscow will come at a cost for Hamas Establishing a relationship with a superpower such as Russia bodes well for Hamas, but Moscow will expect flexibility on the movement's part in return. Palestine
Egypt's economy trapped in vicious cycle of IMF debts Egypt is expecting a new rise of prices due to the IMF loan requirements, while the country has not yet recovered from the aftermath of the economic decisions taken in November 2016. Egypt
Russia remains unconcerned by Trump's anti-Iran rhetoric US President Donald Trump tells the Saudis what they want to hear, but Russian experts don't expect him to renege on the Iran deal. Saudi Arabia
Senate tones down Iran sanctions bill after input from Obama team The Senate Foreign Relations Committee insists the bill it cleared May 25 doesn’t violate the nuclear deal. Congress
Iraq's Sinjar heats up again as PMU closes in The world's attention has turned back to Iraq's Sinjar as Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Units approach during operation to liberate Mosul and Yazidi loyalties worry Turkey. Iraq
Expulsion of Iraqi forces has lessons for Iranians today On the anniversary of the liberation of a southwestern city from invading Iraqi forces, Iranian officials see lessons for today. Iraq
