What's behind coordinated attacks by Hamas inmates in Israeli jails? Faced with a huge crisis, Hamas is trying to divert local pressure in the Gaza Strip away from its leadership by increasing unrest among Hamas prisoners in Israel. Palestine
Is Netanyahu counting on Israel's High Court to save him? Turkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, continuing to avoid his and his party's responsibility for the Regularization law, is hoping the High Court will strike it down. Palestine
Trump urged to name religious freedom envoy to smooth out bumpy Mideast policy Former ambassadors say Donald Trump is in dire need of an expert to "school" him on Islam. Iraq
Why Turkey’s approach to Syria may again push it to sidelines Diplomats fear that Ankara may have decided to play a reactive and obstructive role in the Syrian peace talks, rather than a positive and proactive one. Syria
Trump, Erdogan discuss Syria cooperation in first presidential call In their first call since Donald Trump became president, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pushed for an end to the US alliance with the Kurdish People's Protection Units. Syria
Turkey’s top Kurdish politician faces up to 143 years in jail The leader of Turkey’s main Kurdish party faces up to 143 years in jail on terror-related charges and is languishing in jail as the country heads to a fateful referendum. Turkey
Could Iran’s next president be former TV boss? The former head of the Iranian state broadcaster, Ezzatollah Zarghami, is increasingly being touted as a potential Principlist candidate in the May presidential elections. Iran
Iranian hard-liner slams Trump for not tearing up nuclear deal A prominent hard-liner in Iran has expressed his anger over US President Donald Trump going back on his words about tearing up the nuclear deal. United States
How Circassians maintain identity in changing Golan Many Circassians who lost their homes in Quneitra, Syria, opened their doors to Al-Monitor at nearby Madinat al-Baath, where they recounted their stories. Palestine
Is Egypt moving toward rapprochement with Assad government? A number of unofficial visits to Syria by Egyptian groups have raised speculation that Cairo is conducting backdoor diplomacy with the Syrian regime. Egypt
Is the Palestinian economy trending up? After two years of sharp decline, the index for industrial production in Palestine rose slightly in 2016. Palestine
Who profits from Gaza unrest? Israel is concerned that Hamas is planning a major strategic attack on the Israeli homefront, which would force the IDF to invade Gaza. Palestine
Hamas insists ties with Iran strong, despite regional polarization Iran continues to provide financial and military support for Hamas amid a positive atmosphere that promises stronger ties and efforts to defuse the sectarian tension while bilateral meetings between the two are still being held outside Tehran, according to the movement’s representative in Iran. Palestine
Hamas decries Abbas overreach in setting local elections for spring Hamas is digging its heels in over an amendment to the elections law that creates a new judicial body for electoral matters by refusing to participate in local Palestinian elections this spring. Palestine
Does Trump signal golden age for Israeli settlements? Some are convinced that Israel's right-wing government and the new US administration under Donald Trump offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to legalize all West Bank settlements. Palestine
Syrian rebel groups see necessity in consolidating ranks In response to losing Aleppo at the end of 2016, several Syrian opposition factions have unified their ranks into two large entities, namely Hayyat Tahrir al-Sham and Ahrar al-Sham. Syria
