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
Netanyahu’s coalition rivals prepare for battle Political figures on the right are jockeying for position to lead Israel's right wing in anticipation of a police investigation and other issues forcing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to step down. Israel
Iranians believe Trump will violate nuclear deal A new poll shows Iranian dissatisfaction with economic gains since the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action went into effect and apprehension about the policies of the new Trump administration. United States
Trump follows predecessors in slowing Israel embassy move Overshadowed by his unorthodox campaign promises, new US President Donald Trump, in his first days in office, has followed convention elsewhere in slowing down his pledge to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem. Israel
Syrian Kurds rebuilding Kobani from rubble The Kurds have high expectations for Rojava despite challenges. Syria
Who will replace Rafsanjani as chairman of Iran’s Expediency Council? The question of who will replace Rafsanjani as the chairman of Iran’s Expediency Council is being discussed in the Iranian media following the ayatollah's Jan. 8 death. Iran
Rights groups unmoved by Turkey's softened state of emergency As Turkey's state of emergency continues, the government has passed measures establishing a commission for grievances and reducing the period police can hold detainees without charges in what critics call a cosmetic move. Turkey
How are Syrian peace talks holding up? There were no breakthroughs on the first day of negotiating between the Syrian regime and opposition representatives, but talks resumed this morning. Syria
Is Ankara waking up to what Trump really represents? Having vilified President Obama, President Erdogan and his supporters are realizing that ties under Trump may not turn out to be what they hope. Turkey
Smoking ban leaves some Gaza cab drivers fuming The Gaza government has begun enforcing a ban on smoking in public transportation vehicles at the beginning of the year, to mixed reactions among drivers and passengers. Palestine
Will Rafsanjani’s death draw Iran, Egypt farther apart? As Egypt paid its condolences to the death of former Iranian President Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, many observers do not expect Rafsanjani's death to affect the rapprochement attempts between both countries. Legacy: Gulf
Iranians ponder Obama’s legacy with rise of Trump Barack Obama’s departure from the White House leaves Iranians divided about his legacy, with some calling his presidency a "great opportunity for Iran that is now gone." United States
Will Hamas military wing topple Haniyeh’s candidacy? Ismail Haniyeh knows that even if he is elected as the head of Hamas’ political bureau, the military wing will be the one that rules Hamas. Palestine
