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
Coming soon: Erdogan 'The Chief' A hagiographic biopic on the life and times of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled for release during the runup to the constitutional amendment that could expand his authority and entrench him in power. Turkey
Livni's UN gig a win-win for everyone, even Netanyahu Zionist Camp co-leader Tzipi Livni has been offered the position of UN undersecretary-general as part of a deal to appoint former Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad the head of the UN mission to Libya — and she's found support from all corners. Israel
Why is Jordan shifting its Syria strategy? Jordan has joined the Astana process and is signaling a change in its position toward Damascus. Jordan
Iran chooses Quds Force stalwart for new ambassador to Iraq Iran has appointed a senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps official and Quds Force adviser to be its new ambassador in Iraq, raising concerns that Iran plans to strengthen Iraq's Shiite militias in the post-Islamic State era. Iraq
What will Netanyahu tell Trump? With combative coalition partners watching his every move, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might focus on the Iranian issue when meeting US President Donald Trump, as this will serve him well in the Israeli public opinion. Palestine
How Hamas prisoners elect leaders behind bars Even locked in Israeli prisons, Hamas members contribute to the movement's decision-making process by holding leadership elections every two years. Palestine
Turkey walks fine line in dealing with 'frenemy' jihadis Turkey’s mixed messages in crackdown terrorist groups; Ankara on sidelines, again, in Syria; Syrian Kurds consider federalism, view Turkish attack on al-Bab as "fiasco." Syria
What's on Morocco's agenda as it rejoins African Union? Morocco wants to take advantage of its strong economic presence to gain political support in the Western Sahara dispute while becoming a hub for Western investments in the African continent. Morocco
How close are we to a solution in Syria? As the Syrian Democratic Forces launch a new phase in the operation to liberate the city of Raqqa from Islamic State control, many questions remain about the military and political situation on the ground. Syria
Iranian academics hit hard by Trump's travel ban Beyond impacting travelers and their families around the world, the US president's move to ban citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from the United States has crushed academics at home and abroad. United States
Israel, Hamas swap blame for failed prisoner exchange talks Both Hamas and Israel want to reach a prisoner exchange deal, but talks appear to be at an impasse over a group of Palestinian prisoners released in a previous exchange but later rearrested. Palestine
What's behind calls to close Shiite media outlets in Egypt? An Egyptian court has delayed ruling on cases related to shutting down TV stations and websites considered to be Shiite and accused of blasphemy or inciting against the Sunni ideology. Egypt
