Why Israeli ultra-Orthodox secretly visit West Bank tomb More ultra-Orthodox Israelis are refusing to coordinate their visits to the Tomb of Joshua, in the West Bank Palestinian village of Kifl Hares, in what the Israel Defense Forces considers an onerous security risk. Palestine
What prompted Russia’s shift in stance on Syria opposition? Given Russia's policy on Syria in 2016 and its willingness to negotiate with Syrian opposition groups, it seems that Russian President Vladimir Putin favors a mediating role in the conflict. Syria
How Erdogan is redefining who is a Turk The Justice and Development Party is introducing drastic changes to Turkish citizenship law, uniting Kurds, Alevis and ultranationalist Turks in opposition. Turkey
Will new law attract more foreign investment to Egypt? Experts say drafting a new investment law is not enough to lure foreign investors back to Egypt — the entire business climate will need to change. Egypt
Is Rafsanjani’s death nail in coffin of Saudi-Iran dialogue? Will the death of Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a man who repeatedly and personally helped bridge the divide over the Persian Gulf, make an Iranian-Saudi rapprochement unlikely anytime soon? Saudi Arabia
Is 'grand political bargain' in store for Libya? No matter which party is victorious in southwest Libya, if Misratan forces and Field Marshal Khalifa Hifter begin a full-scale battle for control, there is little doubt that the whole southern region will be destabilized as Russia’s increasing public support for Hifter and his anti-Islamist "strongman" credentials fuel the fire. Libya
'Devotees of Death' headed for Turkey Turkey offers the ideal destination for foreign terrorist fighters to blend in after being forced out of Syria and Iraq. Turkey
Is Egypt's main opposition party switching sides? The founder of the Free Egyptians Party Naguib Sawiris took to Twitter to condemn what he believes to be the state's nationalization of his opposition party. Egypt
How Liberman is positioning himself to lead Israeli right Avigdor Liberman's strategy to take leadership of the Israeli right wing was on display at a recent Yisrael Beitenu meeting. Israel
How Palestinian left hopes to renew political system In an interview, Jamil Mezher, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine's' political bureau, told Al-Monitor that the division between Fatah and Hamas is preventing the renewal of the political system in Palestine. Palestine
Arab mayors consider strike as Israel razes houses Israel's demolition of 11 homes in an Arab village has prompted its mayor to resign in only the first wave of outraged responses from the Arab-Israeli leadership, which has scheduled an emergency rally and is debating a mass resignation. Palestine
KRG speaker: Independent Kurdish state complex issue Kurdish parliament Speaker Yusuf Mohammed Sadiq discusses with Al-Monitor the current issues of Iraqi Kurdistan. Iraq
Why Lebanon could be spared from recent terrorism bloodshed Lebanon has been spared from the terrorism violence that has struck other neighboring countries of Syria over the past few weeks. Lebanon
Abadi enlists neighbors to support unified Iraq Iraq is shoring up political and economic relations with neighboring states to prepare for rebuilding after the defeat of the Islamic State. Saudi Arabia
Why Israel will not halt security coordination with PA Although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government threatened to cut ties with the Palestinian Authority following the passing of UN Security Council Resolution 2334, the move seems unlikely as both parties benefit from security coordination. Palestine
Will new Airbus delivery help Rouhani's re-election bid take off? European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has delivered its first passenger jet to Iran under its $18 billion contract with the Islamic Republic. Iran
