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
Iraq seeks to merge PMU militias under new image Popular Mobilization Units leaders are meeting with Western politicians and diplomats regularly, trying to improve the group's reputation in the West. Iraq
Saudi Arabia contemplates Trump Saudi Arabia is pleased with strong talk from US President-elect Donald Trump, but also has worries about his positions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and on recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Saudi Arabia
Russia adjusts Syria plan as Obama’s term nears end Russia is trying to figure out all the Middle East scenarios that might affect it under a Donald Trump presidency. Syria
Why recent calls for protests failed to materialize in Egypt Calls for mass protests on Nov. 11 failed to bring Egyptians out into the streets, not only due to an increased police presence but also to a shifting sense among the populace about how to best enact change. Egypt
State of emergency shuts down Turkey's NGOs Since the failed July 15 coup attempt, some 1,500 nongovernmental organizations have been banned. Turkey
AKP bill to pardon child rapists who marry their victims Turks are furious over a proposed law that would commute the sentences of men who have sex with minors if they end up marrying the girls, but Turkey’s ruling party has the simple majority it needs to push the law, which it claims is intended to address legal issues surrounding child marriage, through parliament. Turkey
Turkey’s emergency rule fuels brain drain Turkey is losing precious human capital, as many educated Turks are migrating to the West, scared off by ferocious crackdowns since the July coup attempt. Turkey
Help wanted: Turkey advertises for special forces Running short of personnel because of massive purges, Turkey's armed forces are trying to fill the void using civilians. Turkey
Trump’s policies could jostle Jordan's position in Mideast While Jordan's strategic relationship with the United States will likely remain strong under surprise presidential victor Donald Trump, the unpredictable leader's positions on the Muslim Brotherhood, Jerusalem and the West Bank settlements are cause for concern. Jordan
Who will take charge in Raqqa after it's freed from IS? The Syrian Democratic Forces are making progress in northern Raqqa, cutting the supply lines of the Islamic State. Syria
How Israel is bypassing the PA Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Gen. Yoav Mordechai launched a Facebook page that seems to assist the Palestinians with their daily struggles, but some Palestinians have accused it of having other goals. Palestine
Has Israel's finance minister lost his fans? Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon's supporters are disappointed, as they believed he would fight for the rule of law and the new public broadcasting corporation but now see him abandoning political battles that might mark him as a leftist, guided primarily by political survival. Israel
