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
Lebanese municipalities encourage agriculture as famine specter looms Local municipalities in Lebanon’s villages are launching campaigns to promote agriculture and self-sufficiency amid food insecurity and deteriorating economic conditions. Lebanon
What happened to Israel's once-rising political star? Gesher leader Orly Levy-Abekasis promised Israeli voters a social issues-oriented agenda, but she has been little seen or heard since her election to the Knesset in September. Israel
Egypt firms up truce positions between Israel, Gaza factions Cairo brought together leaders of the Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad political bureaus this month to ensure they're all on the same page regarding the truce with Israel. Palestine
Trump says Iran prisoner swap shows deal can be made A successful US-Iran prisoner swap is a confidence building measure but it remains to be seen whether it could be a prelude to negotiations on broader US-Iran tensions. United States
Iran’s Reformists face major challenges in coming election Iran's Reformist factions are in for an uphill climb leading to the parliamentary election because of their legislators' lackluster performance since the 2016 election. Iran
Democratic lawmakers reckon with 2020 rhetoric on Israel aid Presidential candidates who want to place conditions on Israeli military aid have prompted pro-Israel House Democrats to go on the offensive. Palestine
Chaos spreads in Iraq as PM office remains vacant As Iraq approaches the constitutional deadline for selecting the new prime minister, chaos is spreading in the streets. Iraq
US sanctions three Iran-backed militia leaders for violence against Iraq protesters The United States will impose sanctions on three leaders of Iran-backed Iraqi militias that have committed human rights abuses against Iraqi protesters. Iraq
As chaos and violence consume Iraq, US keeps focus on deterring Iran The Trump administration’s realism is well suited to the crisis in Iraq, with a clear red line on keeping out Iranian missiles. Iraq
Algeria's presidential election no one wants After hounding longtime dictator Abdelaziz Bouteflika from office, protesters are now campaigning to stop the flawed process to replace him. Algeria
Turkey’s taxpayers in dark over bill of big investment projects Multibillion-dollar investment projects, built as public-private partnerships, have begun to put major burdens on Turkey’s budget, but taxpayers, the parliament and even auditing authorities remain in the dark on financial risks that might haunt the country for years. Turkey