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
Egypt, Turkey show off naval strength in eastern Mediterranean Turkey conducted a military drill in the eastern Mediterranean that was followed by an Egyptian-French drill amid tensions in the region among Turkey, Greece and Cyprus on gas exploration, and between Turkey and Egypt on Libya. Egypt
Egypt promotes local projects to mitigate GERD effects As Ethiopia continues to fill the reservoir of its controversial dam on the Nile River, Egypt is churning out ideas and projects to conserve water. Egypt
Far-right soccer fans attack anti-Netanyahu protesters Members of Beitar Jerusalem soccer team fan club La Familia are now demonstrating against anti-Netanyahu demonstrators and even chasing them away. Israel
Report: Iranian authorities ignore prisons' pleas for help in fighting COVID-19 Amnesty International obtained letters from prisons in Iran to the Health Ministry about a lack of adequate supplies in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. Iran
UN experts urge Turkey to use Hagia Sophia as 'intercultural space' Experts from the United Nations called on the Turkish government to use the contested landmark as a place of interfaith dialogue. Turkey
Netanyahu’s decline benefits pro-settler Bennett With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu falling in the polls and facing public discontent, Yamina leader Naftali Bennett is more popular than ever. Israel
Moscow, Damascus shadowbox in Syria’s grey zones The newest twist in Syria involves a Russian-backed military group working to carve out an autonomous zone for itself in the southwest and even clashing with regime forces, perhaps paradoxically seeking to boost regime's legitimacy. Syria
Egypt acquires Russian fighter jets despite US warning Russian media outlets reported that a first batch of the Su-35 fighter jets are en route to Egypt as part of a 2018 deal over which Washington threatened Cairo with sanctions. Egypt
Inside Morocco’s digital divide: girls fighting for education in lockdown While the internet has kept many going through coronavirus lockdowns, the digital divide could mean that many Moroccan students will fall behind. Morocco
Turkey’s lira slides as Central Bank raises inflation forecast Despite state bank efforts to bolster Turkey’s currency, the lira fell to its lowest point since May against the dollar this week, prompting fears of a renewed currency crisis. Turkey
Turkey, Italy talk economic ties in videoconference The latest sign of friendship between Turkey and Italy comes amid otherwise tense Turkey-Europe relations, largely due to Turkey's plan to drill in Greek and Cypriot waters. Turkey
Israeli worshipers storm police barricades at Western Wall More than the 1,000 visitors permitted to visit the Western Wall showed up on the fasting day of Tisha B’Av, leading to scuffles and removal by police. Israel