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
Rouhani’s rivals are making pledges Iran cannot afford While incumbent Hassan Rouhani’s main challengers in the Iranian presidential race are making grand pledges of bigger cash handouts and more jobs, there is little to suggest that the promises can be realized. Iran
How are Iraq's Yazidis faring amid Kurds' confrontations? Turkey’s bombing of Yazidis' Sinjar homeland deepened the argument between the Kurdish Democratic Party and the Kurdistan Workers Party. Iraq
Can Ankara ever balance its policy in Syria? Turkey, Iran and Russia sign an agreement to establish safe zones in Syria, but the United States voices its concerns. Syria
Will Egypt play a role in Iraqi settlement? The visit of Ammar al-Hakim, the head of the ruling Shiite Iraqi National Alliance, to Egypt could be an opportunity for Cairo to assume a mediator role to reach a political settlement and active role in the post-IS era in Iraq. Egypt
Bennett: We must tell Trump the 'truth' about peace process In an interview with Al-Monitor, HaBayit HaYehudi leader Naftali Bennett says that "the age of maneuvering is over" as the Israeli government must be honest with US President Donald Trump about the reality of creating a Palestinian state. Palestine
Could Hamas' pragmatic new leader finally reconcile with Fatah? Contrary to former Hamas political chief Khaled Meshaal, newly elected Ismail Haniyeh is perceived as more intimately connected to the Gaza Strip and its suffering and may stand a better chance of unifying Palestinians. Palestine
What to expect from Hamas' newly elected leader Several challenges await Ismail Haniyeh as he steps in as Hamas’ new leader, most importantly reconciliation with Fatah and fixing ties with regional players Egypt and Iran. Palestine
Why Abbas asked Israel to cut power to Gaza The Palestinian Authority has asked Israel to stop providing funding for Gaza's electricity as part of President Mahmoud Abbas’ efforts to pressure Hamas into ceding power. Palestine
Nuclear deal in focus in second Iranian presidential debate The second Iranian presidential debate sees candidates trade barbs on the nuclear deal. Iran
Trump goes to Riyadh US President Donald Trump may want to learn lessons from previous presidential encounters with Saudi kings if he wants his trip to visit King Salman to be a success. Legacy: Gulf
Putin changes conversation on Syria with cease-fire plan Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says the de-escalation zones are linked to US safe zone discussions. Syria
Syria to get civilian safe zones Cease-fire mediators have agreed to establish and enforce areas free from fighting in Syria. Syria
