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 two clerics topped agenda of Erdogan-Trump meeting Turkey's Protestant community fears that Ankara could use an imprisoned American pastor as a bargaining chip to press for the extradition of Pennsylvania-based Turkish preacher Fethullah Gulen. Turkey
Why Erdogan's US visit will only create more problems for Turkey The expectation that Erdogan and Trump will get along because they share dominant personality traits backfired, as Erdogan concluded the shortest international meeting in his 15-year political history. Turkey
Will Egypt jail rogue clerics? The draft law criminalizing public fatwas without a license in Egypt has started a discussion, with some arguing that it could lead to a further rise in radicalism and terrorism. Egypt
Iraq's Christians demand reconstruction of religious sites Iraqi Christians demand the reconstruction of the Mar Mattai and Mar Behnam monasteries in the Ninevah Plains. Iraq
Jerusalem dress fails to impress The "Jerusalem of Gold" dress that Culture Minister Miri Regev wore to the Cannes Festival represents yet another populist provocation by right-wing Israeli politicians seeking to inflame nationalistic sentiments. Israel
Gay rights group persists, with pride, in Beirut Beirut Pride week is held in Lebanon to raise awareness about the rights of the LGBTQ community. Culture & Society
Why many Palestinians didn't take to the polls in local elections As Hamas and other main factions boycotted the local elections held in the West Bank, Palestinians cast their votes in low numbers reflecting their mistrust in the political forces. Palestine
Who expects more of Trump visit, Israelis or Palestinians? During Donald Trump’s visit, Israel wants him to realize wide right-wing objection to the two-state solution, while Palestinians expect that Trump would agree to launch shuttle diplomacy toward negotiations. Palestine
Meet Iran’s potential next first ladies Though some progress has been made since Iranian presidential candidate's wives first stepped into the campaign spotlight in 2009, they still do not fully participate in their husbands’ campaigns. Iran
Russia keeping a close eye on Algeria Algeria’s new legislature, facing tough economic times domestically, needs to make gains in foreign policy to regain citizens’ trust — something Russia might be able to facilitate. Algeria
How lucrative is Turkey’s defense industry? A permanent agenda item of Erdogan’s foreign travels is military cooperation and finding markets for Turkey’s defense industry products, but it's sometimes difficult to tell how much of the achievement touted in this area is real. Turkey
Iran’s Kurds voice frustrations, hopes heading into election Security and the economy remain high on the list of priorities for Iranian Kurds who depend on the smuggling of goods into their country. Iran
