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 imposes calm on Gaza front Calm has returned between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza, mainly because of the outbreak of the coronavirus and fears of it spreading in the besieged enclave. Palestine
‘Dragon storm’ batters Egypt with torrential rains, killing nearly 20 The intense storm comes as the country struggles to contain a coronavirus outbreak within its borders. Egypt
Bahrain pardons hundreds of prisoners as coronavirus fears spread While authorities have attributed the release to humanitarian reasons, human rights groups link the decision to efforts to contain the outbreak. Bahrain
A new generation lays its predecessors' ghosts to rest In Al-Monitor's latest longform, we look at young people throughout the Mideast who have been at the forefront of efforts to turn the page on decades of sclerotic and rigged politics in favor of a more democratic alternative. Iraq
Historical context: Biden’s 2002 vote on Iraq war Congress passed a new resolution on the use of force in the Middle East; the United States retaliates against Iran-backed militias in Iraq; and an 18-year-old debate returns. Iraq
Could baby-faced rival of Erdogan be 'remedy' for Turkey's problems? Can Ali Babacan, Turkey's former deputy premier, be a beacon of hope for the center-right? Turkey
Israel's new Knesset members sworn in empty parliament building The traditionally festive swearing-in ceremony for the Knesset's incoming members was tainted by tight biosecurity measures and an unending political crisis. Israel
Iraq condemns 'treacherous' US strikes against Iran-backed militia US airstrikes struck a civilian airport in Karbala in what the Pentagon said was an operation targeting weapons storage facilities belonging to an Iran-backed Shiite militia group blamed for the recent attack on an Iraqi base housing US and coalition troops. Iraq
Intel: Russia, Turkey reach deal on Syria's Idlib Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar finally announced March 13 that after four days of talks in the Turkish capital, the Russian and Turkish militaries have agreed on the details of a new cease-fire in Syria’s Idlib de-escalation zone. Syria
Erdogan turns to oil in a bid to salvage Syria policy Turkey’s president eyes oil-related bargains in Syria after failing to achieve his stated objectives in Idlib and acquiescing to a new deal with Russia in the rebel stronghold. Syria
Pentagon retaliates after deadly Iran-backed strikes on US troops The US military targeted five weapons facilities of an Iran-backed group after an earlier rocket attack left two American and one British service member dead. Iraq
Lebanon struggles to cope with COVID-19 amid financial crisis As Lebanon reels under the brunt of the worst financial crisis in its recent history, the government struggles to provide the necessary equipment to be able to cater for a potential increase in novel coronavirus cases. Lebanon