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
Egypt-Fatah tensions come to a head at Cairo airport Egypt denied senior Palestinian official Jibril Rajoub entry into the country, raising concerns about Cairo's support of Mohammed Dahlan as successor to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Palestine
Why Israel arrested Hamas-affiliated MPs in West Bank This week Israel arrested Hamas member of parliament Samira Halaika in an attempt to pressure Hamas into a prisoner exchange deal. Palestine
Egypt's religious institutions to offer couples premarital sex ed To curb divorce rates, Egypt's Dar al-Ifta is offering a marriage preparation program for would-be couples, including sex education. Egypt
Efforts to privatize electricity face resistance in Iraq Five southern provinces objected to the Iraqi government's decision to privatize the electricity sector in the country. Iraq
Despite massive setbacks, IS still bares its fangs in Iraq As it is losing ground in Mosul, the Islamic State is carrying out attacks against Iraqi security and civilian targets elsewhere to preserve its presence in Iraq. Iraq
Can new mobile app help solve Egypt's environmental problems? A new mobile application aimed at collecting and recycling e-waste may face obstacles in Egypt because of a lack of awareness about the importance of recycling and protecting the environment. Egypt
Congress prepares for another showdown over Saudi arms sales Senators of both parties are determined to keep US bombs out of Yemen. Saudi Arabia
Zarif visits Qatar as Iran, Saudi Arabia continue hajj talks Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif traveled to Qatar to discuss bilateral relations after a flurry of diplomatic activity recently between Iran and Gulf Cooperation Council member states. Saudi Arabia
Can Arab Quartet advance two-state solution? Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi might propose that President Donald Trump meet with the Arab Quartet in order to advance the two-state solution. Saudi Arabia
Will Turkey be added to European list of undemocratic countries? While various European countries have canceled pro-referendum rallies organized by Turkish politicians, the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has called for Turkey to be added to its list of countries considered undemocratic. Turkey
Egypt puts off collection of hotels’ debts to boost tourism To salvage its ailing tourism sector, the Egyptian government has extended the grace period for the country’s hotels to pay all financial dues and debts. Egypt
Could Israel’s justice minister become prime minister? Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked has been a popular Cabinet member, but as a woman in a small, right-wing religious party, she has many obstacles to overcome on her way to the prime minister’s office. Israel
