Turkey’s intra-Islamic witch hunt The deeper lesson from the Erdogan-Gulen war is that even "good Muslims" do not fare well when dominating an authoritarian state. Turkey
Obama administration gets it wrong on Hamas The recent call by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque might inflame an already volatile situation around the unity government, which the United States should refuse to recognize. Palestine
European women find appeal in Syrian jihad Radical European Muslim women are traveling to Syria to marry jihadist fighters and provide support. Syria
Rouhani accused of trying to separate religion, administration Iranian President Hassan Rouhani continues to be criticized for saying that the administration should leave religious direction in the hands of experts and the clergy. Iran
Hifter campaign reveals power of Libyan Islamist militias Khalifa Hifter's war against Islamist militias in Libya has revealed to the world how powerful these Islamist militias really are. Libya
Lebanon's debt grows with political stalemate A report by Merrill Lynch has downgraded Lebanon's financial standing because of its external debt and political paralysis. Lebanon
Netanyahu fails to derail Palestinian unity government The Palestinian unity government has been recognized by international capitals, including Washington, proving another setback for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Palestine
Israeli army tries to lure Arab Christian recruits Israel’s attempts to attract Arab Christians to voluntary military service will see limited success until it offers meaningful integration and equality to its Arab Christian citizens. Palestine
France gets new Iran negotiator France Taps Veteran diplomat Nicolas de Rivière to succeed Jacques Audibert as political director and lead negotiator for the P5+1 talks. Originals
Congress to press administration on Iran nuclear deal Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez, D-N.J., tells Al-Monitor that he wants to look at "all the facts" as the House and Senate schedule hearings this month on Iran's compliance with its nuclear obligations. Iran
Sisi victory deals 'deadly blow' to revolutionary youth movement The leaders of Egypt’s revolutionary youth movements anticipate a long-term struggle to regain some sense of unity. Egypt
Iranian official says US, all countries have 'duty' to confront terror in Syria In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Iran is "happy" with the Palestinian unity agreement and that, with regard to the next prime minister of Iraq, "whoever the Iraqis agree on will enjoy the full support of the Islamic Republic of Iran." Iraq
Leaked video may signal cracks in Iranian leadership Whether leaked by enemies of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) or the IRGC itself, the video revealing statements by the IRGC commander about preventing the election of Reformists in 2009 may reveal cracks in the regime’s leadership. Iran
Turkey's political divide worsens Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Turkish opposition leaders trade accusations at their respective party meetings on June 3. Turkey
Is Ahmadinejad plotting a comeback? The arrest of two of the former president's advisers might be a warning that he should steer clear of a return to politics. Iran
Turkey to close down police academies The Erdogan government has decided to close down Turkey’s police academies, which, it believes, have become the main stronghold of Gulenists. Turkey
