Not all Kurds on board with Kurdish independence vote Some residents of Sulaimaniyah are fed up with the Iraqi Kurdistan government's poor management of the economy and may take their frustration out in the upcoming independence referendum. By Fazel Hawramy (Iraq Pulse)
Iran judiciary in conflict over executions The debate about executions in Iran over drug-related crimes is heating up. By Al-Monitor Staff
Netanyahu's legacy will haunt Israel In his many years as Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has managed to destroy relations between Israelis and Palestinians, Jews and Arabs, and the right and left. By Akiva Eldar
Israel, PA discreetly resume security coordination Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared at the height of the Temple Mount crisis that he was halting security coordination with Israel; now it seems that contacts between the security services of both sides have been resumed. By Shlomi Eldar
US touts success of Syria cease-fire negotiated with Russia Despite recent sanctions on Russia, the Donald Trump administration sees a path forward for cooperation with Moscow in Syria. By Laura Rozen
German interview could cost Turkey’s opposition leader dearly Turkish opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu is under attack by media outlets loyal to the ruling party for allegedly telling a German magazine that German tourists should not visit Turkey. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Rouhani appoints female VPs, aide amid rising criticism Iran’s president names three women as deputies and aides amid rising criticism over the lack of female ministers. By Al-Monitor Staff
The real footprint of the IRGC in Iran's economy Given the important footprint of the IRGC in the Iranian economy, the Rouhani administration appears to be confronting the Guards by co-opting them. By Bijan Khajehpour In Vienna, reporting on Iranian politics
Egyptian lawmakers rile Congress with US gun violence jab In a letter to Congress protesting a US travel advisory, an Egyptian parliamentary delegation downplayed the threats to Coptic Christians in the country, comparing the statistics on violence against them to shootings in US cities. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
Gaza’s little chefs have big dreams Zad Al Khair, a local restaurant in Gaza City, launches a culinary arts program for children. By Rasha Abou Jalal In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Young photographers celebrate love, hope in Gaza 'Alleys' exhibit A group of young Palestinian photographers held up a mirror to life in Gaza with an exhibition in the Jabalia refugee camp. By Hani Abu Rezk
What is the fate of foreign IS fighters in Iraq? Iraqi security forces arrested dozens of foreign fighters for the Islamic State during the battle of Mosul, but Baghdad must now decide their fate. By Sara al-Qaher
Differing scenarios for a post-Netanyahu government Israeli law would not force an indicted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resign, but behind the scenes a war of succession is already underway. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Even police investigations don't weaken Bibi's coalition While former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was forced to resign because of police investigations into his affairs, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces no political risk in the near future. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
The limits of Egypt's role in the Syria crisis Egypt's cordial relations with many parties to the Syria conflict has made Cairo an ideal location for recent negotiations, but can Egypt play a larger role in bringing about a resolution? By Amr Eltohamy