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
Security situation in Aleppo’s al-Bab still not stable Following angry public protests in Aleppo’s city of al-Bab due to the deteriorating security conditions, police forces are intensifying efforts to prevent terrorist incidents. Syria
Iraqis await fallout from NYT expose on Iranian influence Leaked documents from Iranian intelligence seem to back up Iraqi protestors' angry contention that Iran has corrupted top-level Iraqi politicians, though the politicians themselves offer rebuttals. Iraq
Protesters unmoved by Algeria's first corruption trial Algeria’s protesters view the current trial of figures linked to the former regime as a charade that some in power are using to settle personal accounts. Algeria
Israel to further tighten the noose on Hamas As a part of the financial restrictions on Hamas, Israel issued a decision to economically pursue Palestinian and foreign figures whom Israel accuses of funding terrorism, and added the president of the Arab Organization for Human Rights on the list of those pursued. Palestine
Is Turkey about to lose its only ally in the Gulf? As Qatar's crisis with its Gulf neighbors de-escalates, Ankara is concerned about losing its valuable ally. Gulf
Turkish-Libyan security, maritime deals spike tensions Agreements between Turkey and Libya sparked anger among stakeholders in the Libyan civil war and in maritime drilling in the Mediterranean Sea. Turkey
Demands for term limits rise as Netanyahu clings to power Benjamin Netanyahu's endless fight to keep the premiership has prompted calls for change from Israelis exhausted from three elections in one year. Israel
Rouhani set for Japan visit to salvage Iran deal A visit by Iran's president to Japan is being finalized as Tokyo intensifies mediation efforts in search of a settlement to Tehran-Washington tensions and an end to the stalemate over the Iran nuclear deal. Iran
White House persuades Congress to ease up on Saudi Arabia The White House convinced Congress to water down a key defense bill by removing language penalizing Saudi Arabia for the Yemen war and the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. Saudi Arabia
As EU mulls response, Ankara doubles down on Libya accords Facing EU sanctions over gas drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, officials in Ankara have reaffirmed plans to develop contested gas fields and assist the Tripoli government as Greek officials seek international support. Turkey
Israel must set conditions for Hamas over Palestinian elections Israel should agree to the Palestinian demand of enabling elections also in East Jerusalem, but it should not agree for terror group Hamas to participate in the electoral process. Palestine