Russia-Turkey rapprochement has limits Russia and Turkey have made strides in improving their ties, but the relationship is going to need far more than the issuance of commemorative plates celebrating the Aug. 9 meeting of the countries' presidents in the Constantine Palace's Greek Room. By Paul J. Saunders
Saudi Arabia may keep playing 'Iran card' to defer decision on Yemen Yemen victim of Saudi-Iran hostility; Islamic State tries, and fails, to recruit Kurds; Al-Monitor resumes series on lobbying by Middle East governments. By Week in Review
Why Egypt banned its police from talking to the media While Cairo argues new press restrictions will ensure journalists speak to informed sources, others fear the limitations will weaken police accountability. By Shahira Amin
US election 2016: Can either candidate have a good week? Here's what happened on the campaign trail the week of Aug. 8. By Reeves Barbour
Trips offer respite to Sahrawi refugee children Sahrawi children live in difficult conditions year-round, with the exception of those children lucky enough to take "peace vacations" in Spain. By Habibulah Mohamed Lamin
How do Egypt's official religious authorities view Shiites? While Egypt's Al-Azhar officially accepts Shiism and teaches about Shiite schools of jurisprudence in its curricula, some claim Shiites are being persecuted in Egypt as religious authorities and security forces look the other way. By Ahmed Hidji
Why Israeli NGOs are shifting tactics to stop village demolition The international community is doubling its pressure on Israel to not demolish the Palestinian village of Khirbet Susya and evacuate all of its residents. By Shlomi Eldar
Will film on 2015 hajj disaster further tarnish Iran-Saudi relations? The imminent unveiling of an Iranian film about the deadly hajj stampede in 2015 is causing waves even before it has been screened, with some warning that it could further inflame relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia. By Zahra Alipour
Restoring death penalty could have major repercussions for Turkey Turkish leaders keep stoking popular demands to reinstate the death penalty, but the repercussions of such a move go far beyond what the government can afford, observers say. By Sukru Kucuksahin
Will Iraq's minorities return to their homelands post-IS? As Iraqi forces are advancing against the Islamic State, Iraqi minorities express their worries about the future of their lands post-IS. By Saad Salloum
How Islamic State is trying to lure Kurds to its ranks The Islamic State released a video Aug. 3 in which militants refer to prominent Kurdish leaders in a bid to attract the Kurds to their ranks. By Mohammed A. Salih
Amid war on IS, Iraq’s widows and orphans face neglect A recent survey shows that the number of widows and orphans is on the rise in Iraq, while the government fails to provide support for them. By Omar al-Jaffal
Municipal elections offer political first step for Lebanese women Female candidates won big in May's municipal elections across Lebanon, with a substantial jump in female representation from the last local elections in 2010. By Florence Massena (Lebanon Pulse)
Al-Aqsa University students pay the price of Gaza-Ramallah bickering Al-Aqsa University in the Gaza Strip is affected by the political tension between the Education Ministries of Gaza and the West Bank, with the latter threatening to invalidate the university’s degrees. By Entsar Abu Jahal
How Turkey's coup turmoil has fueled migration flurry Consultancy firms report a big increase in the number of Turks exploring options to migrate to the West, as the failed coup and its aftermath exacerbate fears over the country's future. By Zulfikar Dogan
How this group is fighting corruption in Gaza The Coalition for Accountability and Integrity - Aman is distributing awards to those reporting on all forms of corruption cases in Gaza, in an effort to fight this rampant phenomenon. By Iyad Qatrawi