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
What’s stopping Rouhani from reaching out to Trump? While some Iranians argue that more should have been done to improve relations with the United States under former President Barack Obama, not everyone in Iran agrees. United States
Could Turkey’s misstep in Manbij provide template for Raqqa? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s latest threat complicates Pentagon planning to oust the Islamic State from its so-called capital; United States provides intelligence for Iraqi strike in Syria. Iraq
What is Russia’s thinking on Libya? In its effort to pursue national security interests in the Middle East, Russia is increasingly involved in the conflict in Libya. Egypt
Lebanese president provokes outcry with Hezbollah comment President Michel Aoun stated in an interview that Lebanon needs Hezbollah’s arms to defend the country from potential Israeli aggression, stirring harsh criticism from his political opponents. Israel
Israeli centrist leader speaks, says little The measured response of Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid to the state comptroller’s Gaza war report reflects his ongoing strategy to become Israel's next prime minister. Palestine
Iraq, Iran agree to resolve dispute on joint oil fields After many years, Iraq and Iran have decided to form a joint committee to resolve differences about the oil fields between the two countries and the supply of a new oil pipeline to Iran. Iraq
Will Hezbollah join Palestinian factions in confrontation with Israel? Amid calls to unify fronts between Palestinian resistance factions in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, experts envision many difficulties in this possibility of coordination. Palestine
Will international forces enter Gaza Strip? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s suggestion to deploy international forces in the Gaza Strip as a security solution has been met with stiff opposition from Palestinians. Palestine
Will Syrian students be banned from Egypt's universities? A parliamentary proposal to ban students from Syria and other countries from enrolling in Egyptian public universities has sparked debate. Egypt
Defense spending bill bans funding for MANPADS in Syria Congress released legislation on Thursday that would hamstring the Trump administration's ability to deliver shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles to vetted rebels. Syria
How Egypt plans to forge closer economic ties with France On a visit to Paris, Egypt's minister of trade and industry sought to attract French investments to his country. Egypt
Syrian Kurds cede buffer as Turkish-backed FSA advances on Manbij After President Recep Tayyip Erdogan named Turkey's next target as Manbij and the foreign minister promised to strike if the Kurdish People’s Protection Units don't withdraw, Turkish-backed fighters in Syria seem to be acting on the threats in a cluster of villages west of Manbij. Syria
