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
Division, mixed international support sap Palestinian resources in face of annexation As Israel's possible annexation approaches, Palestinians are struggling to unite behind a realistic plan. Palestine
Egypt to export electricity to Saudi Arabia An interconnection power line between Egypt and Saudi Arabia is expected to generate important economic benefits for Egypt and boost its aspiration to become a regional energy hub. Saudi Arabia
COVID-19 ravages Turkey’s vital clothing, textile industry Turkey’s clothing and textile sector, a vital source of employment and revenues, has become the worst-hit industrial branch in the coronavirus crisis, taking both domestic and external blows. Turkey
Israel’s Benny Gantz, a defense minister with expiration date New Defense Minister Benny Gantz has a year and a half in front of him to prepare for the role of prime minister. Israel
Turkish opposition trades favors as AKP limps Turkey’s nationalist party leader Devlet Bahceli has floated a proposal to change electoral laws, fueling rumors of a possible snap election. Turkey
Iran claims fuel shipment to Venezuela perfectly legal In today's Iran media roundup, Tehran condemned possible US interference with Iranian shipments of fuel to Venezuela. Iran
Intel: Saudi arms sale probe factored in Trump's firing of watchdog President Donald Trump fired State Department Inspector General Steve Linick last week in part because of an investigation into an $8 billion emergency arms sales for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, a source on Capitol Hill told Al-Monitor. Saudi Arabia
Israel’s new foreign minister endorses Trump’s plan, mindful on annexation Israel’s new Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi calls to advance the Trump administration plan, but is careful not to call advancing annexation moves. Palestine
Israeli opposition just as fractured as coalition Though the Joint List won 15 Knesset seats in the March elections, the new unity government leaves it on the opposition benches once again. Israel
Egypt steps up crackdown on journalists as world celebrates press freedom As the world celebrated World Press Freedom Day, journalists in Egypt were being subjected to an arrest campaign by Egyptian security forces, while the authorities banned the use of pseudonyms. Egypt
Arab councils in Israel on strike over pandemic, economic crisis Heads of Israeli-Arab local councils say they have no choice but to strike because no one in the government is listening to them. Israel
Israel’s 'annexation government' sworn in The new Netanyahu-Gantz unity government, which was sworn in May 17, is already facing controversy over Prime Minister Netanyahu's focus on rushing annexation of parts of the West Bank. Israel