Turkey Between Interest Rates And Conspiracy Theories While Turkey was once praised as a "model" for the region, the recent economic woes facing Ankara and Erdogan’s insufficient response have shaken Turkey's perception in Arab countries. Lebanon
Iraqi Officials Divided Over Dinar 'Reset' Various bodies within the Iraqi government are debating the implications of a move to “reset” the national currency by deleting three zeros from it. Iraq
Helen Thomas Remembered Legendary journalist and proud Arab-American Helen Thomas is remembered by admirers and friends as a staunch advocate of the oppressed. Lebanon
Lebanon's Football Scandal Reflects Political Divide Lebanese athletics have been embroiled in numerous international sports scandals this year, with many officials and teams being arrested or banned from participating in tournaments. Lebanon
Likud Party Indifferent To Netanyahu's Peacemaking Despite the coming resumption of negotiations, Likud Party leaders expect little from the renewed talks. Palestine
Iraq Rebuilds Ties to Saudi Arabia After years of misunderstandings and tensions, relations between Iraq and Saudi Arabia have begun to warm up. Iraq
Syrian Kurds Reassure Turkey The leading Syrian Kurdish group claims it is not seeking to break away from Syria as tensions escalate with Ankara. Syria
The Nour Party’s Perilous Gamble While backing the ouster of former President Mohammed Morsi may be a sign of political maturity, it is loaded with risks for Egypt’s Nour Party. Egypt
Women at Forefront Of Egypt’s Revolutionary Wave The role of women in Egypt’s transition will be a barometer of progress and democratic change. Egypt
Turkey’s Kurdish Question Extends to Syria The Justice and Development Party (AKP) government is struggling with whether its interests are better served by jihadists or Kurdish groups controlling areas of northern Syria. Syria
Leap of Faith Needed For Israeli-Palestinian Talks Palestinians may have secured a prisoner release, but not much else. Palestine
Kerry Delivers Ambiguity To Shuttle Diplomacy Kerry's mission and the failure to resume the negotiations on a more firm and clear basis than those tried before are examined. Palestine
The Rise of 'Cleric Militias' in Iraq In recent years, Iraq has witnessed a rise in militias led by Shiite clerics, with some fearing that Sunnis may soon follow suit, thus exacerbating the regional sectarian conflict. Iraq
Predictable Ending Ahead For Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations? If history is a guide, the Obama administration is unlikely to find success in its latest effort involving renewed Israeli-Palestinian direct negotiations. Palestine
Can Netanyahu, Abu Mazen Make Peace? Israelis and Palestinians have agreed on renewing negotiations, but the obstacles constitute an endless list of questions for which answers have been found, but will leaders agree to implement them? Palestine
The Struggle for Syrian Kurdistan Al-Monitor covers Syrian Kurdistan, the rebel siege of Aleppo, maids in Saudi Arabia and the Iraqi sex trade. Saudi Arabia
