The real reason the EU can't stop human smuggling from Libya The EU’s Operation Sophia has so far failed to stop the smuggling of people from Africa to Europe, as the problem lies in Libya's tenuous government. Libya
Why Iran needs to fight Saudi Arabia to forge peace Despite all the challenges it poses for Iran, Saudi Arabia’s regional policy and strategic behavior is still not perceived as a threat in Tehran — but could failing to respond be a mistake? Saudi Arabia
Why nude portrait of an Israeli minister was censored The president of the Israeli Design College has censored a portrait by a student that depicts Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked nude. Israel
BDS movement targets Palestinian investors in West Bank mall Pro-Palestinian activists are working with a consumer advocacy group to urge Palestinian investors to back out of a new shopping mall in northern Jerusalem, warning that not only will the project harm the Palestinian economy, the investors themselves could face legal action. Palestine
Sumerian city of Lagash slowly emerging from desert sands Archaeologists have resumed excavations at the site of the ancient city of Lagash in Iraq, but so have smugglers. Iraq
Will Egypt impose taxes on Facebook ads? Egypt's parliament is considering a bill to levy taxes on social media ads, with some questioning if such a measure could even be applied. Egypt
Mapping the road to the liberation of Mosul Mosul has become surrounded from the north and east by peshmerga forces, from the west by peshmerga and some Yazidi forces, and from the south in the Qayyarah base. Iraq
Kerry: Critics of Obama administration's Syria policy 'completely screwed up' US secretary of state says the terrorist attack in Nice “could just as well have come from [Jabhat al-] Nusra”; Erdogan refers to coup attempt as a "gift from God" to "cleanse" army. Syria
Why Turkey's coup didn't stand a chance Turkey did not fail its test of democracy on July 15, but what about the inevitable aftershocks? Turkey
What Bibi's Africa visit means for Egypt-Ethiopia dam dispute As Israel increases its influence with African countries, Egyptians are wondering what impact that could have on them, the Renaissance Dam negotiations and the Palestinian solution. Palestine
Misreading of a coup attempt The amateurism of the attempted coup on the night of July 15 raises questions. Turkey
US election 2016: Global chaos upends US election Here's what happened on the campaign trail the week of July 11. United States
How these Egyptian women want to break the taboo over divorce As divorce rates soar in Egypt, a women's magazine is setting up a program in support of Egyptian divorcees, offering them vocational training, counseling and a community of shared experiences. Egypt
Sinai tribal leader says military curfew harms residents, helps terrorists Sheikh Naeem Gabr, the general coordinator for the Tribes of North Sinai Coalition, speaks to Al-Monitor about the impact the protracted battle between the army and extremist groups has had on Sinai residents. Egypt
Will political party emerge out of Iraqi popular protests? So far, it seems that the protest movement led by leftist and young liberal Iraqis has not been able to establish a party or a political movement, which threatens its existence on the Iraqi scene. Iraq
Why Iran shouldn’t get too excited about Brexit Some Iranians believe Brexit will positively affect trade relations between Britain and Iran, but economists warn against expecting significant changes. Iran
