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
Coronavirus in Syria: a catastrophe in the making The Syrian government has stepped up measures to tackle the spreading novel coronavirus amid growing fears among Syrians of the pandemic’s catastrophic spread in light of their harsh living and humanitarian situation. Syria
After bragging about being virus-free, first COVID-19 cases confirmed in Gaza Palestinians in the Gaza Strip had been shrugging off a lockdown announced by PA, saying Gaza had no virus cases. Saudi Arabia
What's behind arrest of Turkish-Azeri billionaire? Although Azeri-Turkish billionaire Mubariz Mansimov Gurbanoglu was cleared of links to the Gulen movement, he's been arrested again this week. Turkey
US urges Iraq to step up protection of US, coalition personnel The State Department said Iraq is not doing its part to protect US and coalition forces in the country. Iraq
American detained in Syria moved to undisclosed location, family says An American psychotherapist's family is more worried than ever about the dual US-Syrian citizen who disappeared in Damascus in 2017 as a potential coronavirus outbreak looms over Syria’s prisons. Syria
Iranians’ demands for quarantine fall on deaf ears Iran’s president has rejected calls for quarantine against the coronavirus with no explanation, but his reasoning seems to be related to the economic devastation following the US sanctions. Iran
Iran’s leadership defends coronavirus handling in Nowruz addresses Iran's supreme leader canceled his public Nowruz speech and instead addressed Iranians on state TV. Iran
Intel: US scales up Iran sanctions amid coronavirus fallout The Donald Trump administration stepped up its sanctions on Iran this week as Tehran appeals for relief to cope with the coronavirus pandemic. United States
Turkish soccer team lands in political hot water The soccer team of Turkey’s largest Kurdish-majority city has become the target of nationalist animosity from rival fans as well as the government, which accuses the club of being linked to armed Kurdish militants. Turkey
Egyptian lawmaker calls for free COVID-19 tests as Cairo accused of profiteering The Egyptian authorities have come under heavy criticism for charging high fees for the coronavirus tests poor workers need to travel. Egypt
Profit, necessity spur trade across conflict lines in north Aleppo The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and Turkish-backed rebels have reopened trade crossings in northern Aleppo, bringing a sigh of relief to residents. Syria
Netanyahu, Gantz get closer to reaching unity government Despite an earlier pledge by Israel's Blue and White leader Benny Gantz to not partner in a government with current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, negotiations between the two sides on a unity government are progressing. Israel