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
Democratic lawmakers slam Trump over Bahrain reception Manama critics on Capitol Hill assail decision to host independence celebration at president-elect's Washington hotel. Bahrain
Iranian hard-liner alleges FM Zarif is American spy A prominent Iranian hard-liner accused Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif of being an American spy as anger toward the US and the Rouhani administration heats up. Iran
What Iran's presidential election means for Russia As Russia’s and Iran’s foreign policies become congruent, Russia looks to Iran’s 2017 elections for clues into their future relationship. Russia
Why Erdogan wears the 'dictator' label with pride The winds of Trumpism have already reached Turkey, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan finds being called a dictator acceptable. Turkey
Should Ankara be optimistic about relations with Trump? Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has expressed optimism about improved US-Turkish relations during a Trump administration. Syria
Will Trump bring Egypt, Israel closer? Observers wait to see what role, if any, the Trump administration might play in a rapprochement between Israel and Egypt. Egypt
Is Turkey at the end of its EU adventure? The European Parliament’s call to freeze membership talks with Turkey may not be binding for EU leaders, but still marks a grim milestone with far-reaching political and economic implications for Turkey. Turkey
Will new law restrict Egyptian NGOs' activities? The Egyptian parliament has approved a new law to regulate the activities of civil society organizations and monitor their sources of funding, although some view this as going against the Egyptian Constitution. Egypt
Has political crisis in Iraq's Anbar reached a dead end? As the political crisis continues in Anbar province, the upcoming council election has been postponed and the displaced do not receive enough support from the local government to return to their homeland. Iraq
Saudi-Egypt crisis leaves Israel concerned Two arms deals recently inked by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has Israel baffled and worried. Saudi Arabia
Erdogan’s Syria policy hits dead end in Aleppo Ankara anticipates worst-case scenario as Syrian government forces appear close to victory in decisive battle. Syria
Who in the GCC wants a union? Gulf Cooperation Council states consider transforming into a union to arm themselves against Iran’s increasing dominance and the growing instability in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia
