Can assault on Idlib facilitate Russia-Turkey deal? As the Russian Khmeimim base has come under militant shelling, the Russian military boosted the Syrian army assault on Idlib amid speculation over a back-channel Russian deal with Turkey. Syria
Saudis’ troubled ties in region threaten Trump's anti-Iran agenda The Trump administration is tightening the screws on Iran, but Saudi Arabia, Iran's archnemesis, may not be of help drumming up support for the US policy given the state of its current relations in the Arab world. Legacy: Gulf
Is Erdogan’s trust in Trump in the S-400/F-35 standoff misplaced? Turkish government officials believe that if Trump was not hamstrung by Congress and the Pentagon, he and Erdogan would have solved this matter by now. Turkey
Many Palestinians apply, but few get to visit Al-Aqsa for Ramadan Though Israeli announces measure allowing some Palestinians to visit Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan every year, applicants complain of opaque selection processes and poor odds. Palestine
Qatar seeks to cement truce between Israel, Gaza factions Qatar has mediated, along with Egypt and the UN, a cease-fire ending the latest round of hostilities between Israel and Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip, after which it pledged to provide $480 million in support of Palestinians. Qatar
Likud's Saar declares war of succession Gideon Saar of Likud has put Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu on notice that he is after his job and might not wait until Netanyahu steps aside before making a play for it. Israel
Lebanon’s interior minister pushes for prison reform amid calls for radical change Unless broad, structural reforms to the administration of prisons and military detention centers are passed in conjunction with changes to the criminal justice process itself, the reforms announced by Lebanon’s interior minister so far will likely only have a moderate impact on the penal system. Lebanon
Egypt’s support for Hifter could cost it work in Libya Mounds of money could await companies able to win reconstruction contracts in war-torn Libya, but some Egyptian business owners wonder if they will be at a disadvantage because of the side Cairo chose in the civil war. Egypt
Israel at 71, more religious, messianic and extreme Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans on forming the next coalition with ultra-Orthodox parties that in essence do not recognize the Declaration of Independence and Israel’s founding values. Israel
Egypt's camel racing shifts into high gear The Egyptian government seeks to modernize camel racing by establishing a new international racetrack and opting for robot jockeys. Egypt
Local Israeli authorities lose a little freedom on Independence Day With local governments paying increasingly exorbitant prices for performers to entertain on Independence Day, Interior Minister Aryeh Deri has introduced a cap in pricing to take effect in 2020. Israel
The politics of mutual grief Bereaved Israelis and Palestinians held an annual memorial event for victims on both sides of their conflict after the High Court of Justice overruled an attempt by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prevent Palestinians from entering Israel to attend the ceremony, which is held on the same day that Israel honors its fallen soldiers. Palestine
Israel looks to Trump to halt Iranian nuke Iran's announcement that it will resume uranium enrichment is causing great concern in Israel. Israel
Israeli-Arabs key to returning the center-left to power Comparing Israel’s demographic profile with the results of the recent election show that large numbers of Israeli Arabs not voting, some due to intimidation, had a dramatic impact on the political map. Israel
US holds its fire on Istanbul election nullification The State Department says it is monitoring Turkey’s decision to scrap the Istanbul mayoral election results, but has so far refrained from directly weighing in. Turkey
Interview Yemen war 'does not serve any party' says Oman’s ambassador to US Omani ambassador to Washington Hunaina Al-Mughairy spoke to Al-Monitor about US-Omani ties, her country's stance on Yemen, Mideast peace and the latest Washington-Tehran tensions.
