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
Egyptian government resists attempts to end torture The longtime struggle by human rights groups to stop torture at the hands of the Egyptian security services shows no signs of improvement. Egypt
Is Putin interfering in Iran’s presidential elections? Conservative presidential candidate Ebrahim Raisi’s meeting with a visiting Russian official has raised debate on Moscow’s potential interference in Iran’s May 19 vote. Russia
Why did over 1,600 Iranians sign up to run for president? Over 1,600 Iranians showed up at the Interior Ministry to register to run in the May 19 presidential election, fully aware that the Guardian Council will block their running. Iran
How North Korea nuke crisis affects Israel Israeli intelligence believes that North Korea, Syria and Iran are collaborating on the development of missile systems and nuclear programs. Israel
Sunnis fear spread of Shiite influence in Samarra Residents and political representatives in the predominantly Sunni city of Samarra take issue with what they see as increased Shiite influence in the city. Iraq
Did Netanyahu's ultimatum to German foreign minister pay off? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel of provocation by meeting with anti-occupation organizations during a visit to Israel. Israel
Is Hamas-Fatah reconciliation finally on track? Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has presented his vision to end the split between Fatah and Hamas and have the consensus government take control in Gaza, threatening to take "unprecedented" action if Hamas rejects his demands. Palestine
Turkey faces scrutiny after Erdogan's 'win' The Council of Europe’s decision to resume monitoring procedures against Turkey indicates the West's resolve not to validate Ankara's referendum results. Turkey
Kurds call on US to set up no-fly zone after Turkish attacks Expect US-Turkey tensions to rise after the Turkish air force attacked Kurdish militants in Iraq’s Sinjar region and northeastern Syria just as the US-led coalition presses its offensive against IS in Raqqa. Syria
Iran's conservative presidential candidates pledge more cash handouts, jobs Presidential candidates Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Ebrahim Raisi focus on the economy and make pledges to create jobs to attract votes. Iran
Iran polling: Will vote see Rouhani-Ghalibaf rematch? Polls suggest incumbent Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will get a strong challenge from Tehran Mayor Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, but can cleric Ebrahim Raisi close the gap? Iran
Can Erdogan juggle Trump and Putin at the same time? Erdogan’s expectations from the United States and Russia are high, but his hopes may be misplaced again. Syria
