Iraq’s legendary fashion house revived Despite pressure from conservatives and a lack of funds, the Iraqi House of Fashion revives its glory days with a museum catwalk. By Wassim Bassem
US-backed forces cut off Islamic State in Raqqa The Syrian Democratic Forces have surrounded the Islamic State’s Syria stronghold. By Jack Detsch
What's behind controversial Iraqi cleric's visit to Saudi Arabia? Top Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has shifted his domestic and regional policies, adopting a stance independent of Iran. By Hamdi Malik
Corruption, nepotism obvious under Erdogan Trading in political influence is becoming more evident — some would say it's becoming the norm — in Turkey, where all power appears to be in one person's hand. By Pinar Tremblay
Erdogan targets Turkish banks over economic crisis Turkey’s president is blasting banks for making what he considers to be unfairly large profits, yet he overlooks his government's role in making it possible. By Mustafa Sonmez In Istanbul, reporting on economics
Iraq's Turkmen areas become battlefield in Kurdish referendum debate Turkmen areas in Iraq have become a battleground between Arabs and Kurds to exert influence over them, while the Turkmens are concerned about the inclusion of these areas in the Kurdistan referendum on independence. By Wassim Bassem
Egypt's first female dolphin trainer swims against the stream Nesma Rafet, who left a corporate career for swimming with dolphins, says her male colleagues' attitude that she couldn’t do the job encouraged her further. By Amira Sayed Ahmed
Libya’s pleas for Italian help unlikely to solve migration issue The Libyan plea to Italy to help counter the migration flow may not bring in the desired results, as the former colonial power has its own interests to serve during this election year. By Justin Salhani (Lebanon Pulse)
Jordanian king’s Ramallah visit more than morale booster Jordanian King Abdullah's two-hour visit to Ramallah was meant to send a number of signals to multiple parties. By Osama Al Sharif
Al Jazeera gains from Israel’s attempts to close it Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Al Jazeera's Jerusalem office will be closed, but this is unlikely to affect the network's work or coverage of the Palestinian-Israeli situation. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Hamas convinced Israel will launch an attack Hamas leaders believe that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing for a military operation in the Gaza Strip to distract attention from police investigations against him. By Shlomi Eldar
What Russia has to gain from relations with Hamas Russia's recent steps to further its rapprochement with Hamas are connected to its existing alliance with Iran and the overall situation in the region. By Adnan Abu Amer
Netanyahu’s show of strength actually reflects weakness As police investigations gain momentum and the noose tightens around Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s neck, the premier finds himself more isolated than ever. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
US vows to press ahead with Iraq bomb clearance despite criticism A State Department audit released this week criticizes the agency’s approach to oversight of efforts to clear improvised explosive devices and mines in Iraq. By Jack Detsch
Turkish opposition claims Erdogan building private intelligence service Turkey is reeling from an explosive report and subsequent media coverage of an alleged private intelligence service operating under and reporting to the president. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Israel, Palestinians anticipate return of the generals The Israeli and the Palestinian political systems are preparing for the post-Netanyahu and post-Abbas periods, when security challenges will only increase. By Uri Savir