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
Why some are calling for stripping this Egyptian Nobel laureate of citizenship Having cracked down heavily on dissent, Egypt’s ruling authorities are angered by the former vice president’s interview on a Qatari TV channel that is perceived by the Egyptian government as being hostile toward Egypt. Egypt
Ankara riled by US push for Kurdish seat at Syria talks US statements that Syrian Kurds should be included in talks on Syria's future have further agitated Turkish leaders, who are already upset about Washington's coalition with the People's Protection Units. Syria
Is Turkey wiping out Kurdish institutions during lengthy state of emergency? Turkey is continuing is massive purge of suspects — many of them Kurds — in the July 15 coup attempt, dismissing thousands more civil servants in the past week. Turkey
How Ankara is using taxes to target boozers Staggering tax hikes on alcoholic beverages have made Turkey’s national drink, raki, a luxury beyond the reach of many ordinary Turks. Turkey
Zionist Camp MK's message to the Israeli left Knesset member Ksenia Svetlova of the Zionist Camp told Al-Monitor in an interview that she still believes a diplomatic agreement with the Palestinians is the only solution and that Israelis must realize that there is no way to totally end terror acts. Palestine
Egypt's parliament, judiciary face off against each other The Egyptian parliament is currently discussing a draft law to amend judicial law, which legal experts say will infringe on the judiciary’s independence. Egypt
Can PA end arms proliferation in West Bank? The Palestinian Authority has ratified draft legislation on firearms and ammunition licensing fees in a bid to create a monopoly on arms in the West Bank. Palestine
Illegal hunting threatens biodiversity of Iraq's marshes In the absence of deterrent laws and decisive actions by the authorities, hunters in Iraq are killing migrant birds on a large scale. Iraq
Rafsanjani sparks final controversy as rival mourners clash Controversy continued to follow former President Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani even in death, as mourners of different political stripes chanted rival slogans at his funeral. Iran
Millions of Iranians turn out for Rafsanjani funeral Millions of Iranians unexpectedly show up for the funeral of two-time President Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. Iran
'Working Journalists Day' adds insult to injury for Turkish press This year's "Working Journalists Day" is a bleak holiday indeed in Turkey, the biggest jailer of journalists in the world. Turkey
Will Turkey, Iraq open new chapter in ties? Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim’s visit to Iraq last week has signaled a willingness to improve relations between the two countries after a period of intense animosity. Iraq
