AKP targets judicial independence in latest post-coup takedown Turkey's judicial oversight body has been disbanded in the aftermath of the coup attempt, as Ankara continues to dissolve independent institutions and replace them with pro-government ones. Turkey
US order to evacuate dependents worries Turks Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seems indifferent to Western countries' warnings about the increased likelihood of terror attacks in Turkey, but citizens there are taking note. Turkey
How Netanyahu profits from media reports against him Likud members fear Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wrath and thus do not react to his statements criticizing the press. Israel
Will Mosul remain under military rule after liberation from IS? Iraqi politicians have proposed appointing a military governor for Mosul after its liberation to prevent the city from falling back into the hands of terrorists. Iraq
Is it time for a national settlement in Iraq? The predominantly Shiite National Alliance that constitutes the majority of the Iraqi parliament released a document for national reconciliation for the post-Islamic State phase, though it is far from being implemented on the ground. Iraq
Educating Syrian refugees still a challenge in Turkey Syrian refugee children in Turkey are being educated in a variety of government, private and religious schools. Syria
Medicinal herb industry takes root in Palestine The cultivation of medicinal herbs in Palestine has been growing over the past decade in an industry that benefits from the experience of Palestinian former workers in Israeli settlements. Palestine
Netanyahu’s new target: Israel's media Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu moved beyond his traditional enemies of Iran and Palestine and has designated the Israeli media as his new nemesis. Israel
Does Cairo need to rethink its Sinai strategy? Despite the government’s measures to eliminate terrorists from the Sinai Peninsula, the groups are thriving. Egypt
Obama’s last chance of ending Israeli occupation President Barack Obama must now muster the courage to fulfill his 2009 Cairo speech pledge to push for the establishment of a Palestinian state. Palestine
Why Israeli Arabs prefer studying in the West Bank Israeli-Arab students find it difficult to pass the entry exams of universities in Israel that favor Hebrew-speaking Israeli Jews, and prefer enrolling in West Bank universities. Palestine
'Putin's Rasputin' pushes Russian alliance in parliament visit to AKP President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party formally met with the Russian president’s special adviser Alexander Dugin, who was busy nurturing the seeds of Turkish suspicion of the United States long before the attempted coup and is now massaging the party's relations with Russia. Turkey
Turkey's domestic policy losing its foreign friends Turkey’s foreign relations continue to deteriorate, especially with Europe. Turkey
Iranian judiciary chief calls out Rouhani over press freedom The ongoing Press Exhibition in Iran has provided a platform for debate on freedom of the press in the country, highlighting the divisions among political factions. Iran
A look at battle for Raqqa from a Kurdish perspective A YPG commander told Al-Monitor in an interview that Kurdish militias will help the Syrian Democratic Forces liberate Raqqa but won’t remain in the city after the Islamic State is expelled. Syria
The Russian-Iranian alliance that wasn't Collaboration between Iran and Russia on regional matters is growing, but there are still major obstacles to a true Russian-Iranian alliance. Russia
