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
As annexation stalls, Netanyahu revives plan to expand West Bank settlements Israel is reviving the E1 plan to build thousands of settlements in East Jerusalem, which would cut off the city from the rest of the West Bank and undermine any prospect for the creation of a contiguous Palestinian state. Palestine
Greece calls on Turkey to stop renewed gas exploration activities in East Med As Turkish vessels are dispatched near Greek territorial waters, analysts say tensions in the eastern Mediterranean Sea could quickly escalate if leaders on both sides do not reengage in diplomatic talks. Turkey
International donors pledge nearly $300M in Beirut relief The virtual conference on Sunday was co-hosted by France and the United Nations. Lebanon
Gantz calls Hezbollah chief Nasrallah 'Lebanon’s biggest problem' On the backdrop of the explosion in Beirut, Defense Minister Benny Gantz warned that Hezbollah has the habit of stocking ammunition in homes of civilians. Israel
Lebanese government resigns amid fallout from Beirut explosion Prime Minister Hassan Diab said he and his cabinet were stepping down in response to popular demands, saying "the system of corruption is bigger than the state." Lebanon
Turkey doubles down in eastern Mediterranean after Egypt-Greece deal The flashpoint of the power struggle in the eastern Mediterranean could shift from Libya to the seas in the coming weeks as Turkey begins new seismic research in response to an Egyptian-Greek maritime demarcation deal. Egypt
Lebanese government resigns amid ongoing protests in wake of Beirut blast Protests that started in mid-October have intensified significantly due to the Beirut port blast, with Prime Minister Hassan Diab announcing the government's resignation Monday evening. Lebanon
Lebanese president says 'foreign interference' possible in Beirut blast As investigations into Tuesday's deadly explosion continue, conspiracy theories abound. Lebanon
The lesser of two evils: Yemen’s Bahais from prison into exile Shortly after their release, six members of the Bahai community in Yemen were sent into exile, in a stark example of the political climate in this war-ravaged country. Yemen
Only Trump can revive Netanyahu’s annexation plan While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu produces excuses and scapegoats, the only way for his annexation plan to stay alive is if President Donald Trump decides it can help him get reelected. Israel
Gulf investment woes, COVID economic crisis converge in Egypt Gulf state support to Egypt — whether through official aid, central bank deposits or capital investment flows — has not been consistent in the past, so will investments and aid help Egypt through a coronavirus-induced recession? Legacy: Gulf
Turkey to use 'all available' tools as currency plunges Turkey’s Central Bank says it's ready to use “all available instruments” to calm the market as the Turkish lira drops to new depths, and an interest rate hike is one of the most obvious. Turkey
