Will French carmakers rev up Iran’s auto industry? The Rouhani administration focuses on forging partnerships with international carmakers to boost Iran’s embattled automotive sector. By Alireza Ramezani
Rouhani calls for more Iranian women to 'lean in' to politics Iranian President Hassan Rouhani encourages women to become more involved in politics and culture. By Arash Karami
How Turkey's foreign policy may have lost it $25 billion in trade with Iran A preferential trade agreement between Turkey and Iran has failed to stop the decline in bilateral trade as regional political disputes between the two neighbors deepen. By Mehmet Cetingulec
Israeli Arabs take their message to the White House Arab Knesset member Ahmad Tibi (Joint List) tells Al-Monitor that Obama administration officials he met with in Washington are concerned about discrimination against Israeli Arabs. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Were these Knesset members wrong to meet with the families of attackers? Joint List Knesset members are shouting over the din to explain that their controversial visit to families of attackers was to discuss releasing the bodies of their sons and not a demonstration of solidarity. By Shlomi Eldar
Party squabbles have Iraqi PM by the coattails A Cabinet shuffle by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is unlikely to assuage protesters demanding substantive government reform and the removal of corrupt officials. By Omar Sattar
How to overcome Iraq’s economic crisis Iraq's economic recovery requires strong institutions and infrastructure, but with no time to wait for stability, the state should provide financial support and administrative facilities to help small businesses grow now. By Ali Mamouri
How Palestine plans to shift its media strategy In an interview with Al-Monitor, the newly appointed director of strategic communications in the Palestinian prime minister’s office, Jamal Dajani, promises to prioritize the Palestinian constituency and be accessible to the press. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Why the fall of this Syrian city raises red flags in Jordan The fall of Sheikh Miskin near the Jordanian border has sounded alarms in the kingdom, which is working to beef up security on the border and bracing for a new wave of refugees. By Osama Al Sharif
Is this the end of Turkish miracle? Turkey’s economic success story of the past decade has dramatically changed, becoming instead a tale of caution. By Kerim Karakaya
Undeterred by closures, Hamas still boasts of tunnel advantage Despite setbacks, Hamas has been digging more tunnels and continues to flaunt them as a strategic weapon against Israel in propaganda videos. By Hazem Balousha
The death of the Arab Israeli dream In an interview with Al-Monitor, Knesset member Issawi Frej of Meretz accused the government of creating an atmosphere permitting the targeting and persecution of Arabs and for ignoring the problem of violence in Arab Israeli communities. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Is Russia helping the US win in Syria? Russian air power and Syrian forces are pounding terrorists and their allies, while taking a terrible toll on civilians; keep Turkey out of Syria. By Week in Review
Congress gets first-hand account of war against IS A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Feb. 8. By Julian Pecquet
How one Syrian music star is making a comeback Tariq Dargham al-Swaydan was a well-known musician from Syria's Daraa region when conflict erupted in 2011; now he's trying to carry on with his work while living in Egypt. By Nahla ElNemr
Diplomats focus on humanitarian aid first, Syria peace talks second After Syria peace talks in Geneva suspended, diplomats look to world powers to agree on aid access and humanitarian deliverables at a meeting of the International Syria Support Group in Munich on Feb. 11 to try to revive a diplomatic process. By Laura Rozen