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
Cairo calls for austerity while ministers make money grab The Egyptian government has made more calls for austerity measures, but simultaneous proposals to raise government salaries have left citizens unmoved. Egypt
Why did Iraq ask Riyadh to change its ambassador? Baghdad has asked Riyadh to replace its ambassador over his interference in Iraq's internal affairs, stirring a new crisis between the two countries. Saudi Arabia
Six years after it was first proposed, will Iraq form top policy council? Iraqi political leaders have reintroduced the idea of a Supreme Strategic Policy Council, and a law calling for its formation now has the support of most parliamentary blocs. Iraq
Did Rouhani just nip Tehran mayor’s presidential challenge in the bud? In Iran, leaks indicating massive corruption are surfacing one after another in an apparent factional fight ahead of the country’s May 2017 presidential election. Iran
Will Popular Mobilization Units participate in Iraqi elections? The Independent High Electoral Commission has prohibited PMU factions from participating in elections, although they might be able to participate through the political parties they are affiliated with. Iraq
Netanyahu continues to tune out voice of retired Israeli brass A long list of retired Israeli generals is consistently calling to end the occupation, but now that he's gotten what he wanted from them, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unmoved by their criticism. Israel
Turkey expands assault on independent media The Erdogan government’s crackdown on "enemy within" includes free press; Iran and Russia may gain from strains in US-Turkey ties; Aleppo key to "undivided Syria"; Iran likely to deepen ties with Russia over Syria. Syria
Why Rouhani may become Iran's first one-term president Despite fulfilling his key campaign pledge of resolving the nuclear issue, Hassan Rouhani is still far from guaranteed a second term as Iran's president. Iran
US election 2016: Are US voters really that fed up with status quo? Here's what happened on the campaign trail the week of Aug. 29. United States
Gulenist crisis sets off intra-Islamic debate in Turkey The failed coup attempt has not only set a new tone for Turkish politics, but also triggered wide soul-searching and finger-pointing within Islamist circles. Turkey
Turkish women in police force allowed to wear headscarves As critics continue to accuse the ruling Justice and Development Party of changing the nature of Turkey’s secular state, government supporters celebrate further relaxations of the earlier headscarf bans as more religious freedom. Turkey
Increased demands from within Fatah to dismiss Hamdallah Tension prevailed over ties between some Fatah members and Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, particularly since Ahmed Halawa was beaten to death by security forces in Nablus, which prompted many Fatah leaders to demand that Hamdallah be dismissed from his post. Palestine
