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
Protests spread in oil-rich Basra as death toll rises Deadly protests in Iraq’s southern economic hub and its nearby key commodities port continue amid concern that actual casualty figures are higher than reported. Several protesters were killed Nov. 24 near the port. Iraq
Egypt to offer foreign investors a large share in power plants Egypt’s sovereign wealth fund seeks to acquire 30% in power plants co-established by Germany’s Siemens and involve foreign investors and companies in the rest, which raises questions on whether the state seeks to privatize them or the result is higher bills for citizens. Egypt
IS designates Turkey as its next base The Islamic State has selected Turkey as its next base to reorganize, recruit and plan. Iraq
Israel: plenty of bread but no butter Since the price of butter is controlled by the government, Israeli dairies prefer using the butterfat for other dairy products. Israel
Pompeo’s gift to Netanyahu might bring about new Israeli annexation US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s legitimization of Israeli settlements is seen as giving a green light to Israel’s prime minister to annex the Jordan Valley if a government is formed. Palestine
Why the West Bank went silent when Israel attacked Gaza Following the recent military escalation between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza, residents of the besieged enclave have expressed bewilderment and anger at the lack of support for them expressed by West Bank Palestinians. Palestine
Is Saudi Arabia finally seeking peace with Houthis? After years of fighting, it seems that Saudi Arabia, which is leading a military coalition in Yemen, is holding indirect talks with Houthi rebels to possibly reach a solution. Saudi Arabia
Hamas, Islamic Jihad — an unbreakable bond The recent escalation between Israel and Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip has raised questions as Hamas refrained from partaking in the fighting. Qatar
Like every other suspected civil servant, Netanyahu must step down Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not care that any low-level civil servant suspected of a felony is requested immediately to suspend himself until the end of his trial. Israel
Can Netanyahu plug the first hole in Likud's wall? Only Gideon Saar has dared to publicly challenge Benjamin Netanyahu for leadership of the Likud following the prime minister's indictment for bribery. Israel
Israel punishes Muslim incitement, ignores Jewish one Islamic Movement leader Sheikh Raed Salah was convicted of inciting terrorism, yet Israeli authorities systematically ignore incitement by Jewish far-right activists. Palestine
Why some members of Lebanon's diaspora returned for Independence Day Following a speech by President Aoun in which he was interpreted as having encouraged demonstrators to leave the country, some members of Lebanon’s diaspora returned home for Independence Day on Nov. 22 to join in the protests. Lebanon