Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq at risk of fragmentation A number of prominent leaders of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq withdrew from the council that has put the political future of the party at risk. Iraq
Netanyahu maneuvers to please Trump and settlers Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hopes that the announcement of new housing units in Jerusalem Jewish neighborhoods beyond the Green Line won’t trigger President Donald Trump’s anger. Palestine
Mosul liberation will not be end of IS History has proven that militarily defeating extremist groups such as al-Qaeda does not mean the end of their ideology, and it seems the Islamic State will not stop at the Mosul liberation. Iraq
How Gazans are dealing with internet crisis The electricity crisis in the Gaza Strip is causing internet providers to cut off service, and Gazans fear a chronic internet crisis is coming. Palestine
Tillerson: US could boost cooperation with Russia on Syria The potential for deeper US-Russian cooperation in Syria will be a key topic of discussion when US President Donald Trump meets Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. Syria
EU parliament votes to halt accession talks with Turkey The European legislature’s decision to break off Turkey's membership negotiations has no legal bearing, but it does indicate where a line might be drawn in Europe. Turkey
Planning minister: Iraq needs $100 billion for post-IS reconstruction Iraqi Minister of Planning Salman al-Jumaili spoke with Al-Monitor about rebuilding the liberated areas and the economic and social challenges the country faces. Iraq
Israeli Labor candidates missing their mark in primaries Instead of focusing on the ability of Labor leadership candidates Amir Peretz and Avi Gabai to defeat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the next elections, the media focus on their Mizrahi origins. Israel
IRGC makes changes in Tehran after Islamic State attacks The commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has made two important changes within its units in Tehran. Iran
Europe must adopt long-term vision for trade with Iran European countries are pressuring Iran to change its foreign policy in exchange for profitable trade deals, but this approach may backfire and damage the standing of incumbent moderates in Tehran. Iran
Iraq’s thermal spa poised for facelift Tourists are returning to Mosul's Hammam al-Alil spa, which used to attract thousands of people to its healing waters before the Islamic State took control of the city. Iraq
Hamas-Israel prisoner swap could be close at hand Negotiations between Hamas and Israel on a new prisoner exchange deal supposedly are progressing, which raises questions about what concessions each party is willing to offer for such a deal to materialize. Palestine
Palestinians pinning their hopes on Sisi Egypt wants to advance a regional security coalition that will cooperate with Washington not only in the fight against Iranian-sponsored terror, but also for ending the Israeli occupation. Palestine
Netanyahu offers friendship to those ignoring Palestinians The visits this week to Israel of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame reflect Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s inclination to reinforce ties with countries that ignore Palestinian suffering. Israel
Hamas turns to Iran Instead of trying to appease tensions with Egypt and the Palestinian Authority, head of Hamas' political bureau Ismail Haniyeh makes provocative statements about rapprochement with Iran. Palestine
Israeli Labor’s new leaders must rebrand party With the Labor Party in continuous decline, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not really care who will be its leader. Israel