Incessant scandals threaten US-Russia progress on Syria Moscow and Washington will need to safeguard any progress in their relations against fresh controversies and those opposed to cooperation. By Maxim A. Suchkov
Arrest of rights activists 'chills' Turkey’s civil society Turkish civil society grapples with the arrests of human rights activists and academics as the government marks the anniversary of the failed military coup. By Ayla Jean Yackley
Turkey’s ‘great wall’ nearing completion Having finished most of the 435-mile-long wall on the Syria border, Turkey is to erect walls on its borders with Iran and Iraq. By Metin Gurcan
Understanding Iranian threat perceptions Rather than perpetuating mantras about Iranian expansionism, the United States and its regional allies should take a closer look at the origins of Iranian threat perceptions. By Seyed Hossein Mousavian
'Justice March' spawns unique coalition in Turkey The “Justice March” of Turkey’s main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu spawned a unique togetherness between disparate groups, but will this spontaneous coalition last? By Sibel Hurtas
As war on IS continues, Iraqi Kurdish journalists face suppression Kurdish activists complain of suppression and limitation of independent journalistic freedom in the Kurdistan Region. By Sam Kimball
Netanyahu’s house of cards not collapsing, for now So far, despite the many scandals, Likud voters are sticking with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but for how long? By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Shiite Kurds challenge Iraqi Kurdistan independence In addition to international bodies, regional powers and Baghdad, the Shiite Kurdish group known as Feylis is also fundamentally opposed to Kurdistan’s secession from Iraq. By Ali Mamouri
'Precarious calm' in southwest Syria amid cease-fire In an interview with Al-Monitor, the spokesman for the Southern Front, Maj. Issam al-Rayes, talks about the recent cease-fire brokered by the United States, Russia and Jordan in southern Syria, the regime’s violations and the boycott of the Astana talks. By Mohammad Ersan
Israeli-Palestinian water deal could chart course for further talks An agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority on the Red Sea-Dead Sea canal project could build some trust between the sides, but the Palestinians are leery of any impact from it going into negotiations. By Shlomi Eldar
US expected to recertify Iran compliance with nuclear deal The secretaries of state and defense appear to have overruled Iran hawks in the White House and Congress. By Laura Rozen
Pentagon wants to build new US facilities in Iraq, Syria The Trump administration has asked Congress for the authority to build new “small-scale,” “temporary facilities” to help defeat the Islamic State. By Jack Detsch
Ankara-Islamic State story emerges between lines of Turkish report A new report by Turkey’s Interior Ministry takes a kindly look at the country's fight against Islamic State. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Turkey waiting … and waiting … to intervene in Afrin Ankara's pro-government media are blaming the United States and Russia for delaying Turkey’s move on Kurdish forces in Afrin, which was to begin July 5. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
Off The Hookah with Phil and Cooper Episode #013: Inappropriation Behavior (feat. Julian Pecquet) Phil & Cooper
Palestinians disappointed over Israeli Labor primaries Palestinian leadership in Ramallah is disappointed over Isaac Herzog losing the Labor Party’s primaries, as they were hoping that Herzog would join the Netanyahu government and advance regional negotiations. By Uri Savir