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
Lebanon-IMF talks make little progress despite bank collapse The Lebanese ruling elite is still bargaining over the economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund, while the country’s economic situation continues to go downhill. Lebanon
Egypt sends signal to Turkey by deepening ties with Jordan, Iraq Amid accelerated regional threats and economic repercussions in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, a tripartite summit was held between the leaders of Egypt, Jordan and Iraq Aug. 25 to develop a security, diplomatic and economic bloc. Egypt
US government seizes control of websites allegedly involved in Iran-Venezuela oil deal The seizure follows the US interception of fuel tankers from Iran en route to Venezuela this month amid increased US pressure on both countries. United States
Report: US plans to freeze aid to Ethiopia amid Nile River dam dispute Foreign Policy reported the proposal by the US State Department could affect up to $130 million in aid as negotiations with Egypt and Sudan on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam continue. Egypt
First commercial flight from Israel to UAE follows historic deal The flight is a first step in a normalization process between the countries as an official signing of the agreement is expected next month. United Arab Emirates
Turkish human rights lawyer dies after hunger strike Ebru Timtik died on the 238th day of her strike, which she launched to draw attention to what rights groups have described as an unfair trial. Turkey
Intel: US plans to reduce troops in Iraq The Pentagon plans to reduce its current troop presence in Iraq by about one-third as President Donald Trump heads for November's vote on his reelection amid a campaign promise to end US military involvement in conflicts abroad. Iraq
Trump talks Israel-UAE deal, Biden’s Middle East record at last night of Republican convention The president slammed his Democratic rival for voting for the 2003 Iraq war, but there's no record Trump opposed the invasion at the time. United States
Turkey’s militarized Africa opening fuels influence wars The rivalry between Turkey and its regional adversaries has spilled over to the Horn of Africa and other regions in the continent beyond Libya, stoked by Ankara’s militarization of its outreach policy. Turkey
Palestinian public diplomacy blitz to block other Arab countries following UAE lead The Palestinian leadership seeks to counter US and lsrael diplomacy with Sudan, Bahrain and Oman to secure another normalization deal. United Arab Emirates
Is COVID-19 pushing women in Egypt out of workforce? With schools reopening and many shifting to partial online learning because of the coronavirus crisis, working moms in Egypt are facing the challenging task of juggling work and supporting their children’s education. Egypt
Gantz calls Netanyahu’s bluff on budget showdown Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s partner and rival Benny Gantz has called his bluff, forcing him to compromise on extending the budget deadline that would have forced new elections. Israel