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
Veteran French diplomat: EU should play greater role in resolving Syria crisis French diplomat Alain Le Roy discusses the European Union's "unstable" and "insecure" borders and its greater challenge of resolving the crisis in Syria. Palestine
New Turkey-Russia hotline still subject to static Russia and Turkey are effusive about the positive gains in their relationship, but ties remain tenuous where Syria is concerned. Turkey
Turkey could find itself facing hefty legal bill for mass purges The mass expulsions of public servants after the July 15 coup attempt bode big legal trouble for Turkey, legal experts warn. Turkey
Palestinians on both sides seethe over postponed elections Palestinians are disappointed by the postponement of the local elections, and with the political divide as deep as ever, the wide disillusionment and frustration plaguing both the West Bank and Gaza is giving way to apathy. Palestine
Iraq struggles to stop antiquities smuggling Iraq has managed to recover some smuggled antiquities, but illegal excavations and the theft of ancient artifacts continue. Iraq
Netanyahu-Obama meeting a show for home audiences Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will use his meeting with US President Barack Obama to drum up support at home, and Obama will have to watch his every move as the Republicans look to use any mistake against his candidate, Hillary Clinton. Israel
What’s really behind police raids on Israeli-Arab party? The Israeli Police are investigating Balad, an Israeli Arab party, for allegedly receiving illegal donations from Arab states. Israel
Lebanon positions itself as hub for Syrian reconstruction Experts say that Lebanon has to prepare for Syria’s reconstruction once the war there ends or else it will be a missed opportunity to improve the Lebanese economy. Lebanon
Palestinians, Israelis harden positions ahead of UN summit Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas plans to shift from his traditional pragmatism and present hard-line positions in his speech at the upcoming UN General Assembly meeting. Palestine
What's on Rouhani's New York agenda? Under pressure over the underwhelming economic windfall in the wake of the nuclear deal, President Hassan Rouhani is expected to focus on ensuring that sanctions relief is better implemented during a trip to New York. Iran
'Settlement schmettlement': Turkish purges target Kurds Government crackdown targets include Kurds, military officers, educators and intellectuals, as well as supporters of Fethullah Gulen. Turkey
Why did Iraq's Shiite National Alliance choose new leader? After longtime disagreements, the Shiite National Alliance elects Ammar al-Hakim, the head of the Islamic Supreme Council, as president of the alliance, to revive and reorganize it. Iraq
