Did Gulenists sabotage Ankara’s Kurdish peace process? Long-standing allegations of Gulenists meddling in efforts to settle Turkey’s Kurdish problem appear to have gained more credence after the failed July 15 coup attempt. By Mahmut Bozarslan
Iran officials defend Russian use of Hamadan air base Many Iranian officials were quick to downplay concerns about the legality of Russian jets using an Iranian airbase to strike targets in Syria. By Arash Karami
Coup attempt could cost Turkey more than military might Many observers fear that measures to radically reshape Turkey’s once all-powerful military are already affecting freedom there. By Cengiz Candar
Difficult negotiations over future of 75,000 Syrians trapped in 'no-man's land' Since the IS June attack on Jordan’s Rukban border with Syria, the Hashemite kingdom has tightened security measures, to the point of banning food and medical aid to the Syrian refugees trapped on the border, prompting negotiations with the UN. By Aaron Magid
Will Saudi women break chains of male guardianship? Saudi women recently launched a hashtag calling for an end to male guardianship, which has been behind many of the physical and moral violations they face in Saudi society. By Ibrahim al-Hatlani
Arab Jerusalemites priced out of own neighborhoods Israel's policy of restricting Palestinian growth while encouraging Israelis to settle in Jerusalem’s Palestinian neighborhoods has always made it hard for the city's Arab population to find decent and affordable homes, and things are worse than ever. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Why Hezbollah won't open all-out front against Israel Israel's arrest of activists recruited by Hezbollah through Facebook reflects the organization's current strategy of encouraging attacks in Israel orchestrated from afar. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Can release of Palestinians' bodies quell tensions? Israel has decided to release the bodies of deceased Palestinian assailants to their families to avoid an escalation of already heightened tensions. By Shlomi Eldar
Charity sets up free shops on Baghdad walls A group of Iraqi activists has created a project to help the poor in Iraq, and the idea, though unconventional for the region, is catching on. By Sara al-Qaher
US says Russian use of Iran base unhelpful but won’t derail Syria talks The United States said Russia’s use of an Iranian air base to fly long-range bombers to conduct airstrikes in Syria was unhelpful, but would not derail negotiations to reach a deal on Syria. By Laura Rozen
Egypt’s Dar al-Kiswah — a monument turned into a dump After Egypt stopped producing the Kaaba’s kiswah in 1961, the centuries-old site of production now lies in a state of utter neglect amid calls for renovation by nearby residents and experts. By Amal Magdy
Iran official: Moscow and Tehran are in 'strategic cooperation' The secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council said that Russia’s use of Iran’s air base is a sign of further cooperation rather than an exceptional situation. By Arash Karami
Turkey, Iran rekindle courtship but take things slow Ankara appreciates Iran’s position regarding the failed coup attempt in Turkey, but talk of a strategic "axis" between the two countries appears premature. By Semih Idiz
Putin gets big kiss-and-make-up gift from Erdogan As part of fence-mending efforts with Russia, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pledged a special status with huge financial boons for the nuclear plant the Russians are building in Turkey. By Zulfikar Dogan
Will road to Moscow lead Ankara to Damascus? Turkey has reportedly resorted to the same track II diplomacy to Damascus that it used to reconcile with Moscow. By Hale Gonultas
Iranian carmakers' good fortune unlikely to trickle down The impending joint venture between European carmakers and Iranian manufacturers is good news for the Iranian automotive industry, but such developments may not benefit consumers unless competitiveness is restored. By Alireza Ramezani