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
Can Rouhani’s Citizens’ Rights Charter be enforced? After three years, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has unveiled one of his most important campaign promises — but his Citizens' Rights Charter has not escaped criticism. Iran
Animosity toward Iran reaches fever pitch in Turkey after Aleppo Agitation against predominantly Shiite Iran by Sunni Islamists has resulted in calls for attacks on Turkey’s Alevis for vengeance. Turkey
Rift growing between Israeli Arabs and Israeli Arab party With Knesset member Basel Ghattas accused of smuggling phones to prisoners, and with a prominent activist expressing support for the Assad regime, the rift between the Israeli Arab population and the Arab Joint List is growing deeper. Israel
Israeli art student hounded by Israeli right Instead of defending freedom of expression and art, Israeli politicians hounded the art student who depicted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a rope. Israel
Who's behind Russian diplomat's murder in Ankara? Turkish officials are seeking the true motive behind the slaying of Russian Ambassador Andrei Karlov at a public event in Ankara Dec. 19. Syria
Why moving US Embassy to Jerusalem is no way to start a presidency President-elect Donald Trump's proposal to relocate the US Embassy would place another straw on the proverbial camel's back in the Mideast. Palestine
PMU seeks to secure Iraq-Syria border The Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Units have requested to take control of the Iraqi-Syrian border, which raises concerns about Iran's interference in Syria. Iraq
Jordan faces tough path ahead as next Arab summit host Jordan will face a number of diplomatic challenges in March at the Arab League summit meeting in Amman. Legacy: Gulf
Thousands flee Aleppo as regime regains control Three years after the opposition took control of Aleppo’s eastern neighborhoods, the Syrian regime’s army, with the help of foreign militias, entered the city and began evacuating civilians to the city’s countryside. Syria
Hamas leaders reject fatwa forbidding suicide attacks Several Hamas leaders have rebuffed a surprising fatwa issued by the Muslim Brotherhood's Sharia authority, Yusuf al-Qaradawi, which bans Palestinian suicide operations against Israel. Palestine
Abbas is taking Dahlan down in court Palestinian Corruption Court sentences PLC member Mohammed Dahlan to three years in prison and a fine of $16 million, only one day after President Mahmoud Abbas stripped him and four other members of parliament of parliamentary immunity. Palestine
Is Abbas revoking Palestinian MPs' immunity legal? Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has lifted the parliamentary immunity guaranteed under the Basic Law for five lawmakers, as some Palestinians question whether this is allowed. Palestine
