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
Iraq on fire as protests spread across the south Protests have escalated in Baghdad for the third day in a row, spreading toward southern Iraqi cities. Iraq
Iran claims to have foiled terror plot against Qasem Soleimani The head of the IRGC’s intelligence organization claims it foiled an assassination plot on Qasem Soleimani, the IRGC’s Quds Force commander. Iraq
Ticking time bomb: not a license to torture The terrible damage done to Palestinian Samer Arbid, who is suspected of heading a terror cell, could harm Israel much more than the harm that would have occurred had torture not been used on him. Palestine
Will Egypt’s protests reach Jordan? The online calls for protests to bring down the regime in Egypt and other calls on social media for protests demanding reforms in Jordan encouraged Jordanian activists to unify their ranks. Egypt
Protesters rise up as Lebanon’s leaders grapple with multiple economic crises Hundreds of Lebanese took to the streets to protest deteriorating economic conditions and the high cost of living, which prompted the Central Bank to issue a new measure aimed at easing the currency crisis. Lebanon
Hamas orders its supporters not to comment on anti-Sisi demonstrations Hamas decided to distance itself from Egyptian demonstrations demanding the departure of Sisi. Palestine
Egypt, US combine efforts to boost family planning programs Egyptian parliament recently approved amendments to a deal signed with USAID that would provide $10 million for Egypt’s family planning program. Egypt
Egypt tries to get new Sudan government to its side Egypt has recently hosted a meeting of Sudan’s revolutionary forces and armed opposition to help advance negotiations and peace talks, as Cairo believes security in Sudan is linked to its own internal stability. Egypt
Congress pushes Trump to get tough on Idlib Congress is calling on the State Department to get tougher on calling out reported Syrian war crimes as forces loyal to the Bashar al-Assad regime attempt to advance deeper into Idlib, one of the opposition’s last holdouts in the war-torn country. Syria
Congress aims to keep spotlight on Saudi Arabia one year after Khashoggi murder One year after Jamal Khashoggi’s murder, Congress still seeks to hold Saudi Arabia accountable despite resistance from President Donald Trump and his allies in the Senate. Saudi Arabia
Israel’s ambassador to Egypt still sitting at home Amira Oron is an experienced diplomat, who was supposed to be the first woman to serve as Israel’s ambassador to Cairo; yet one year after her appointment was approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she is still sitting at home. Egypt