All eyes are on Hezbollah in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor As the war is heating up in eastern Syria, specifically in Deir ez-Zor, the Lebanese Hezbollah movement and allied fighters are vying with US-backed Syrian democratic forces for control of areas liberated from the Islamic State. By Mona Alami
Hasm claims embassy bombing in Cairo, may be looking to expand The Hasm movement in Egypt has been behind attacks against figures close to the regime, but since it said it perpetrated the Myanmar Embassy attack in Cairo, authorities are looking at the group's potential to grow. By Ahmad Abd Alhaleim
With imports and deficit down, are things looking up for Egypt? Some in Egypt see a decline in imports and decreased trade deficit as temporary phenomena, while others believe it to be an opportunity to develop the country's industrial base. By David Awad
Will new tribal council ease Turkey's load in Syria? Twenty-nine tribes and clans in the areas liberated during Operation Euphrates Shield announced the formation of a tribal council with the support of Turkey. By Khaled al-Khateb
Trump’s policies radicalize Israeli, Palestinian stances President Donald Trump’s shift toward more radical policy positions on the Middle East is generating a radicalization in the tactical positions of both Israelis and Palestinians. By Uri Savir
Congress pushes for new Iran sanctions amid Iran deal uncertainty With Trump set to announce a new, hard-line strategy on Iran today, lawmakers are advancing more sanctions on Tehran and its proxies. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
US diplomats cast doubt on America’s ability to constrain Iran With the Donald Trump administration poised to announce a more confrontational stance, career diplomats fear it could be too late to contend with a rising Tehran. By Jack Detsch
'Breath': Iran's first Oscar nominee by female director Iranian films have won several Oscars for best foreign language film, but this year’s nominee is the first directed by a woman. By Zahra Alipour
Is Erdogan's blame for ambassador overture to Trump? As Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rains blame on US Ambassador John Bass for the crisis between Ankara and Washington, some analysts wonder if Erdogan's tirades are an attempt to offer the "unique" US administration a way out of its visa move. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Iran's Intelligence Ministry, judiciary clash over sentenced nuclear negotiator Iran’s Intelligence Ministry denies claims by Iran’s judiciary that a sentenced Iranian nuclear negotiator was a spy. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iran wary of Trump’s plans in Iraqi Kurdistan Iranian concerns about the Trump administration’s plans for Iraqi Kurdistan appear to be tempering Tehran’s fury with Erbil over the Sept. 25 independence referendum. By Fazel Hawramy (Iran Pulse)
Turkish telecom giant may end up in government hands again The 2005 privatization of Turkish telecommunication company Turk Telekom, the largest in Turkey’s history, may go to waste as the majority stakeholders are struggling to repay loans. By Mustafa Sonmez In Istanbul, reporting on economics
Kurdish referendum inspires statehood for Iraq's Sunnis too Last month's Kurdish independence referendum in Iraq has inspired some of the country's Sunni leaders to call for their own autonomous state in its Sunni areas. By Adnan Abu Zeed
Exploiting Palestinian workers is not ‘economic peace’ Palestinians increasingly depend on Israel’s goodwill to open its gates for poor West Bank workers. By Akiva Eldar
Israel, Hezbollah exchange threats of imminent war As Lebanon’s Hezbollah and the Israeli government continue to warn each other of a coming cataclysm, both sides predict it would take place in Syria as well as Lebanon this time. By Ali Hashem In Doha, reporting on Iran, regional politics, conflict
Are days numbered for Jerusalem's Greek Orthodox patriarch? The Greek Orthodox community in Palestine and Jordan is in open revolt against Patriarch Theophilos III over the sale of church lands to Israel and Israelis. By Ahmad Melhem In Ramallah, reporting on politics