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
Intel: Turkish demands on Idlib complicate Russia’s pursuit of compromise Following last week's large-scale Turkish military deployment in the Idlib de-escalation zone to prevent the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from further advancing, a new attack by the Syrian army led to the death of five more Turkish troops. Syria
Turkish activists brace for ruling in landmark protest trial Defendants charged with attempting to topple the Turkish government during mass 2013 protests return to court next week and verdict is expected soon after the prosecutor asked for life sentences for three of the accused. Turkey
'Bibi fatigue' haunts Netanyahu as Israeli vote nears As Israelis grow ever more weary and jaded, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is personally meeting with as many voters as possible in the run-up to the March 2 elections. Israel
Iran marks revolution anniversary amid multiple challenges The Islamic Republic marked the 41st anniversary of its founding as well as the 40th day after the US killing of its top general with state-organized rallies reflecting all-time-high anti-American sentiments. United States
Iraqi Kurdistan authorities decry protest suppression In clear contrast to its past treatment of Kurdish demonstrators, the Kurdistan Regional Government denounces the use of lethal force against Iraqi protesters. Iraqi-Kurdistan
Jitters grip Egyptian importers as coronavirus spreads After Egypt suspended its flights with China, concerns emerged about the supply of Chinese products and raw material, as well as price hikes. Egypt
The power Hamas holds over Israel’s elections Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu knows that terror attacks by Hamas right before the March 2 elections could cost him his job. Palestine
Hamas puts the ball in Israel's court The leaders of Hamas have indicated that the time for waiting is over as pressure continues to build in Gaza, leaving Israel to have to choose between the risk of war and its unknown consequences and finally reaching a long-term arrangement with the movement. Palestine
Turkey's main opposition boycotts CNN Turk in protest of press censorship Turkey’s main opposition party has banned its members from appearing on CNN Turk, the Turkish franchise of the US broadcasting giant, charging that the channel functions as an "advertising agency" for the government. Turkey
Egyptians fear cash subsidies would send prices soaring Egypt's proposed cash subsidies system has raised concerns among citizens despite its numerous advantages, in light of the lack of market supervision over product prices and availability. Egypt
Intel: Voter data leak threatens to draw Netanyahu into new investigation Israel’s Privacy Protection Authority announced the launch of an investigation into a massive data leak by a website for a mobile phone app used by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s party. Israel
Trump budget holds Palestinian aid hostage to progress on peace plan The Donald Trump administration is doubling down on its bid to cut Palestinian aid by tying it to congressional funding for the president’s Middle East peace plan. Palestine