Rina Bassist on why she writes Al-Monitor contributor Rina Bassist shares her thoughts on journalism. Israel
Ultra-Orthodox scene bursting with kosher fashion Young Israeli ultra-Orthodox fashion designers prove that a woman can dress stylishly, even within limits of religious modesty. Israel
Aboul Fotouh: Egyptians will start revolution if dictatorship persists Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh, head of the Strong Egypt Party and former member of the Muslim Brotherhood, shared with Al-Monitor his views about Egypt's current regime. Egypt
Iraq needs justice, not revenge Iraq needs to move away from the mindset of revenge to the mindset of restorative justice. Iraq
Does Israel's police have a problem with women? In an interview with Al-Monitor, Erella Shadmi, an academic researcher and retired policewoman, says she was unsurprised by revelations of sexual harassment within the police: ''This phenomenon has been well known for more than 20 years.'' Israel
Political deadlock could lead to security escalation in West Bank Palestinian officials view Israel's recent military maneuvers in the West Bank and its prediction of an uprising as attempts to escalate the security situation. Palestine
Israeli poet Agi Mishol avoids rallying for political causes In an interview with Al-Monitor, Israeli poet Agi Mishol speaks about the difference between men and women poets. Palestine
Syrian AIDS patients suffer in silence The Ministry of Health is withholding information about the situation of Syria's AIDS patients, many of whom are trapped in war-torn areas without access to services. Syria
Khamenei warns against destruction of Iran's forests Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that illegally privatizing public forests and mountains is harming the country's environment and the world at large. Iran
Turkey's 'flying coffins' Turkey's loss of six pilots in the crash of three F-4Es has led to a public outcry as the nation awaits answers and the air force works on replacing the fleet. Israel
Turkey’s conflicting visions of the economy There is a growing conflict in Ankara between two distinct views of the economy: the rational/conventional one led by Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan and the conspiratorial/revisionist one led by Yigit Bulut, senior adviser to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey
One Palestinian's quest for a US visa After being granted a scholarship to study in the United States, a Palestinian media lecturer struggled to reach the US Consulate in Jerusalem, where he was shocked to see Palestinians and Israelis being treated equally. Palestine
Danon: Bibi's speech to Congress sent the right message In an interview with Al-Monitor, former Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon argues that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech succeeded in shifting the international community's focus back to the essential debate on the imminent agreement with Iran. Palestine
Gaza’s female mediators stand up for women’s rights Gazans are resorting to female mediators who achieved significant progress in the social reform field; however, these mediators still lack official and government support. Palestine
Iran holds first ever fashion week Contrary to Western stereotypes, Iranian women are avid followers of fashion and increasingly prominent in an industry that they hope to expand even to US customers. Iran
Joint List isolates itself before elections The decision by Ayman Odeh, leader of the Joint List of predominantly Arab parties, to refuse a vote-sharing deal with the leftist Zionist Meretz Party might discredit his commitment to rebuild the bridges between Jews and Arabs. Israel
