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
US puts off announcing decision on Raqqa until after Turkey referendum The US military wants to work with local forces against the Islamic State in Raqqa, but still is working out many of the details, including who should hold what ground after IS is defeated. Israel
Turkey's diplomatic relations with Europe take a nosedive Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is fast ending the European dream following a weekend of serious disputes with the Dutch government over a pro-referendum rally in Rotterdam by Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. Turkey
Yemen war turns two Saudi Arabia and the United States need to put more thought into the endgame for the war in Yemen. Saudi Arabia
Can Cairo stave off discontent over soaring prices? Egypt walks a tightrope between reforming its economy through austerity measures without having protests over food prices and food availability tip everything over. Egypt
Putin gets some payback with 'alternative project' for Libya Why Putin backs Hifter; Barzani’s Sinjar dilemma; Israel’s missing Gaza policy; GCC moves to the margins on Syria. Iraq
Questions surround Turkish businessman at center of Flynn controversy Michael Flynn is facing criticism for lobbying for Ankara prior to President Donald Trump’s inauguration, but the Turkish businessman who hired the disgraced former national security adviser told Al-Monitor he did not use government funds to pay Flynn. Turkey
Polisario seeks to keep Sahara dispute in spotlight By withdrawing from a Western Sahara neutral area, Morocco is courting the new UN secretary-general while getting rid of the attention the tense situation has brought to the Western Sahara plight. Mauritania
Israel's Knesset bans mini-skirts in new dress code The Knesset has published a dress code instructing elected officials and staff to avoid casual attire. Israel
Why Qatar and Turkey are becoming an item Turkey and Qatar are working to extend their relations beyond the friendship of the countries' leaders to address their shared uncertainties about the new US administration, security threats and the growing regional influence of Iran and Russia. Qatar
Jordan's mass execution revives debate on death penalty The swift execution of 15 men in one day raised controversy in Jordan, and some analysts view this move as a message that the kingdom is actively fighting terrorists. Jordan
Palestinians ask where their state comptroller report is Palestinians hope to have an active control bureau to investigate the political and even military failures of Palestinian parties and leaders. Palestine
How Turkey-Iran trade deal collapsed in two years Mutual tariff cuts and the lifting of international sanctions on Iran have failed to contain the decline in Turkish-Iranian trade, hit hard by regional rivalry and political tensions between the two neighbors. Turkey
