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
Is Erdogan’s ability to turn superpower rivalry to advantage diminishing? The only thing Ankara can rely on is that the US-Russian conflict will grow to the point where the need to work with Turkey will override any antipathy felt for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government. Turkey
Conversion therapy vote marks beginning of end for Israel's unity government The vote to ban conversion therapy in Israel has exposed the depth of the crisis between the Likud and Blue and White. Israel
Egypt's Al-Azhar in dispute with government over fatwa authority Tensions are escalating between Al-Azhar and legislative and executive authorities over proposed legislation that would render Dar al-Ifta an "independent" institution, ending Al-Azhar's long-standing patronage of the Islamic legal body — and replacing it with state dominance and possibly tighter government control over the religious narrative. Egypt
Serious housing crisis creeps up on Iraq Iraq is facing a difficcult housing crisis due to oil prices dropping amid the coronavirus pandemic. Iraq
Murder in street brings Jordanian women out in force Protesters gathered in Amman twice this week despite COVID-19 restrictions to demonstrate against last week’s so-called honor killing of a woman and demand changes to the law. Jordan
Panic downriver as Ethiopia's mega dam hits first-year target Ethiopia's controversial dam on the Nile River has reportedly already met its first-year filling target despite the ongoing disagreements with Egypt and Sudan over its impacts on countries further down the Nile. Egypt
Is this the end of Turkish secularism? Radical Islamist ideas are not only winning out in Turkey, but getting cheerful approval from the last remnants of the secular establishment. Turkey
Knesset moves to outlaw conversion therapy in Israel Israel's ultra-Orthodox parties are angry with their coalition allies in the Blue and White for supporting a bill criminalizing conversion therapy for homosexuals. Israel
Intel: Trump, MBZ talk ridding Libya of proxy fighters During a phone call Tuesday, the US president and Abu Dhabi’s crown prince discussed diffusing the Libyan crisis as a new battle looms in the strategic city of Sirte. United Arab Emirates
Iran talks long-term partnership deal with Russia To mitigate the impacts of the unrelenting US “maximum pressure” policy, Iran seems to be seeking solutions in clinching long-term partnership deals with allies. Russia
Iran's supreme leader to Iraqi PM: Iran does not interfere in Iraq-US relations During Iraqi prime minister's trip to Iran, the two countries emphasized on building a constructive relationship based on mutual respect and national interests. Iraq
China emerges as potential investor as Lebanon runs low on options As Lebanon struggles to find countries willing to provide financial assistance during its economic meltdown, China seems to emerge as a serious contender. Lebanon