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
How Ankara plans to manage Kurds' religious affairs After firing hundreds of imams in Turkey's southeast region, the Religious Affairs Directorate wants to hand-pick preachers that will help the Kurds remember "real Islam." Turkey
Turkey moves full throttle toward one-party state Turkey’s authoritarian shift may be institutionalized in a matter of months, as few obstacles remain before a referendum on a presidential system. Turkey
Iranian Kurds fighting IS in Iraq put Tehran on alert Iran appears increasingly alarmed about the Iranian Kurdish separatists who are fighting the Islamic State alongside Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga. Iraqi-Kurdistan
Is Yemen falling into an abyss? Yemen's brutal civil war must end soon before the damage becomes irreparable. Saudi Arabia
Why can't Egyptians get the medicines they need? Egypt's decision to float the pound sent drug prices soaring, and drug companies have responded by curtailing imports, leading to a critical shortage. Egypt
How will Israel punish suspected wildfire arsonists? Israeli politicians are asking to revoke the citizenship of the Palestinian arsonists, even though international law prohibits leaving a person without citizenship. Palestine
PA's 'Trump team' lays plans for next four years Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has formed a steering committee to prepare for Donald Trump’s presidency as speculation about his intentions continues. Palestine
Putin not waiting for Trump to press advantage in Syria Russian president seeks gains in Syria in the final weeks of the Obama administration; Saudi Arabia encouraged by Trump’s take on Iran; Liberman as gatekeeper between Trump and Netanyahu. Saudi Arabia
Why does President Erdogan admire Belarus? Erdogan prefers the self-styled “democracy” of Belarus and hails it against the failures and double standards of the West. Turkey
Will Cairo turn its back on Abbas? Egypt's position toward Hamas is changing, at the expense of its relations with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, as Cairo seems to be more supportive of his rival for the presidency, dismissed Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan. Palestine
How will Egypt spend its $12B from the IMF? The IMF has approved a $12 billion loan, but how will the Egyptian administration spend this amount, amid allegations of the misuse of previous Gulf loans. Egypt
Canceled speech causes political turmoil in Iran Confusion over who was behind the controversial decision to bar an outspoken Iranian parliamentarian from speaking in the city of Mashhad is raising heated debate between moderates and conservatives. Iran
