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
Will bigger cash handouts land conservatives Iranian presidency? Iranian conservative presidential candidates continue their strategy of making promises focused on increasing monthly cash subsidy payments and creating millions of jobs. Iran
4 reasons Rouhani is winning Iran's foreign policy debate As in the 2013 presidential polls, foreign policy has increasingly become a key component of Iran's presidential elections. Iran
The real reason behind Turkey’s skyrocketing welfare spending The number of people entitled to social welfare assistance has reached 15.5 million in Turkey, raising questions on what lies behind the government’s generosity. Turkey
Ultra-Orthodox threaten Netanyahu’s coalition over Sabbath crisis Contrary to past Sabbath crises, this time Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is refusing to cede to ultra-Orthodox demands. Israel
Turkey unveiling defense industry innovations it hopes will boost exports Turkey’s defense industry will exhibit ambitious products at the IDEF Fair, largely aimed at foreign markets. Turkey
Mosul civil servants still waiting to be paid As the Iraqi government is still unable to pay salaries to its employees in Mosul, people continue to face financial woes. Iraq
How pyramids photoshoot inflamed Egypt-Sudan media war Cairo and Khartoum have signed an agreement to gain control of the media storm fed by tension between the two countries. Egypt
What’s behind controversial new initiative from Egyptian Islamist group? The Egyptian government and different parties in the Sinai Peninsula turned a deaf ear to the Save Sinai initiative, a proposal launched by Gamaa Islamiya aimed at halting violence in the region. Egypt
Egypt’s economists laud new residency-for-deposits law In an effort to bolster Egypt’s economy, parliament passed a law that grants residency to foreigners in return for bank deposits in hard currency. Egypt
How artful can Trump be when dealing with Palestine-Israel conflict? Despite President Mahmoud Abbas’ much-anticipated visit to Washington, Palestinians don’t have high hopes that US President Donald Trump can achieve a breakthrough and reach a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Palestine
White House sees wild-card nature as asset in Trump’s first foreign trip Trump’s first foreign trip as president will be to Saudi Arabia, Israel and Rome, the holy places for Islam, Judaism and Christianity, as he tries to rally the world to unite against extremism and intolerance, aides say. Saudi Arabia
No end in sight for Erdogan's purges after referendum The Turkish government’s narrow victory in last month’s constitutional referendum has emboldened new purges, affecting hundreds of police officers, academics and civilians. Turkey
