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
Israel's Arab parties recalculate as Gantz joins Netanyahu Blue and White leader Benny Gantz' decision to join a government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has deeply disappointed the Arab public. Israel
After Gantz, will Israeli Arabs ever return to the ballot box? Blue and White leader Benny Gantz forming a unity government with Benjamin Netanyahu has deflated the hopes of Arab Israelis of participating in national politics as equals, raising doubts that they will follow the urging of their representatives to take part in future elections. Israel
Iraqi prime minister-designate faces challenges in gaining political support Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Adnan al-Zurfi is struggling to secure the needed parliamentary votes for his Cabinet. Iraq
COVID-19 expenses upending PA budget formulation As the PA struggles to cope with an ongoing financial crisis, the novel coronavirus is making things worse. Palestine
Iran enlists Pakistan for support against sanctions as pandemic spreads Iran’s inability to contain the spread of the coronavirus within its borders is endangering the Middle East region and beyond. Iran
Egyptian government’s anti-virus plan met with mixed reactions Cairo has taken several new measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, but many Egyptians are skeptical about the government's plans and fear the worst is yet to come. Egypt
Intel: Republicans dial up pressure on Saudis to end oil price war with Russia Republicans are throwing their weight behind the Donald Trump administration’s push to get Saudi Arabia to end its oil price war with Russia, which has increasingly squeezed American energy companies as the coronavirus runs rampant throughout the United States. Saudi Arabia
Netanyahu’s chief rival reverses, signals he’ll cut unity deal Benny Gantz said he would serve in an emergency government led by rival Benjamin Netanyahu to help prevent a coronavirus crisis in Israel. Israel
Iran to restrict travel to stop coronavirus Iranian authorities said that starting tomorrow they will restrict travel and implement more restrictive measures to stop the spread of coronavirus. Iran
Turkey mulls full lockdown to check coronavirus Turkey's interior minister says “full isolation” is possible if current measures do not slow the outbreak and Istanbul’s mayor says the country’s biggest city needs a stay-at-home order now. Turkey
Turkish government divided over lockdown proposals Turkish policymakers are split on whether a lockdown approach is the best way to protect Turkey from coronavirus, with some more fearful of the economic fallout than the potential deaths. Iraq