Israel's patriotism police The Israeli right has been busy turning every reasonable action by the Zionist left into yet another instance of treason against the homeland. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Which US presidential candidate is good for Israel? When wondering what Israelis think makes a “good president” for the United States, it depends on whom you ask. By Akiva Eldar
Khamenei's strategy puts US 'Trojan horse' out to pasture Iranian hard-liners apparently have dashed any hopes that the nuclear deal would clear the way for better relations between the United States and Iran. By Ali Hashem In Doha, reporting on Iran, regional politics, conflict
How solar energy is sparking new business in Egypt Egypt, which currently gets 90% of its energy from fossil fuels, is trying to take advantage of its plentiful sunshine through solar power. By Eman El-Sherbiny
How Iran will choose its next supreme leader A special group has been formed to review candidates for the next supreme leader. By Arash Karami
Turkish Kurds flee 'self-rule' neighborhoods Turkey’s mainly Kurdish southeast is sliding deeper into chaos as residents flee neighborhoods devastated from clashes between the security forces and Kurdish militants. By Mahmut Bozarslan
Why are some politicians afraid of this one Knesset member? Likud politicians fear the Hazan family and its influence within the party's Central Committee. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
As both sides rattle sabers, is Turkey on verge of civil war? Armored and aerial Turkish security forces and the PKK appear to be gearing up for a major offensive in the southeast, evacuating civilians, forbidding doctors from leaving and expanding morgues. By Metin Gurcan
Why US is part of Middle East problem, not solution Joint List head Ayman Odeh, recently celebrated as one of Foreign Policy's top global leaders, argues in an interview with Al-Monitor that the US administration is an obstacle to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. By Shlomi Eldar
Turkey’s joint front with Sunni Arabs, Kurds Ankara is developing a joint front with the Sunni Arabs and Kurds, and refuses to withdraw its troops from the Mosul area. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
Will Syria become Russia's Vietnam? Israel is worried that the Russian submarine now patrolling near the Syrian coast will collect intelligence data on Israel, and fears Moscow’s Syrian adventure could drag on for a long time. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
The long road to labeling settlement products In a discussion with Al-Monitor, Charles Shamas, a Palestinian entrepreneur involved in exporting Palestinian products to Europe, traced the path to the European Union guidelines for labeling settlement products. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
After Fayyad's visit, what's next for Hamas? Former Prime Minister Salam Fayyad’s visit to the Gaza Strip has raised many eyebrows as to what Hamas is holding in store for its political opponents. By Mohammed Othman
Will election of women open door to reform in Saudi Arabia? Now that women have been elected in Saudi Arabia, the United States should take advantage of this historic example and quietly encourage further reforms there. By Bruce Riedel
Egypt's public sculptures hit rock bottom Egyptians have taken to social media to criticize and ridicule a number of newly erected public monuments, which they say are not up to professional artistic levels and disgrace the country’s prestigious history. By Rami Galal
Turkey misfires in Iraq Turkey’s military deployment near Mosul provokes widespread opposition and sends Russia-Turkey ties into a further downward spiral; Turkey’s Kurds face "unrealistic prospect" for democracy; Barzani on the spot as a result of KRG alignment with Turkey; Russia slams Saudi hosting of Syrian opposition. By Week in Review