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
Kurds rage as Turkish police flee scene of fatal crash Police officers crashed into a home in Kurdish town, killing two children, and furious residents are demanding an end to security forces' impunity. Turkey
What are European Union’s plans if Trump fails on Mideast peace? If US President Donald Trump fails to advance his Middle East conference initiative, the European Union will advance its own initiative for a third Paris conference. Palestine
'National dialogue' initiative indicates shifting political sands in Iran While former Reformist President Mohammad Khatami's call for national reconciliation earlier this year was roundly rejected by Iranian conservatives, the initiative may finally take off with Principlist parliament Speaker Ali Larijani at its helm. Iran
Former Tehran mayor under fire for criticism of Syria war Former Tehran Mayor Gholam Hossein Karbaschi has been indicted for criticizing Iran’s approach to the Syrian civil war. Iran
Netanyahu turns discrimination resentment into strategy Forty years after the political turnabout that brought the right-wing Likud Party to power, Likud supporters from the periphery and of Middle Eastern origin still feel discriminated by a left-wing European elite. Israel
Why Trump-Abbas meeting has rattled Netanyahu Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is concerned that the US president's inviting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for a meeting in the White house, well before many other important world leaders, reflects a determination to advance a two-state deal. Palestine
Trump, Abbas vow to prove skeptics wrong on reaching peace deal In upbeat White House visit May 3, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and US President Donald Trump expressed themselves optimistic they can reach an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal that nobody thinks they will reach. Palestine
Syria sanctions bill sparks renewed debate over Assad and Christians The House Foreign Affairs panel voted for new sanctions on anyone helping Bashar al-Assad's regime. Syria
US, Russia approach each other cautiously on Syria Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have set an ambitious pace for diplomatic discussions with other world leaders regarding Syria, but they apparently agree that small steps are best when dealing with each other on the topic. Syria
More Kurds forced out of ancient Sur in southeast Turkey The Turkish authorities are evacuating more neighborhoods in Diyarbakir’s historic district of Sur, leaving hundreds of Kurdish families with uncertain futures. Turkey
Spiritual leader of Iranian Reformists backs Rouhani In his bid for a second term, moderate Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has won the endorsement of an influential Reformist: former President Mohammad Khatami. Iran
Why Iran's conservatives are suddenly rooting for Rouhani's VP First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri’s strong performance in the first Iranian presidential debate has led conservatives to speculate about the prospect of him challenging President Hassan Rouhani. What is the real aim of this unlikely depiction? Iran
