Women carve niche in Gaza's small theater world Three determined Gazan women have established their own all-female theater production company. By Ibrahim Abdelhadi
Independent Egyptian film reaps awards but not box office profits The box office failure of "Withered Green," one of the most-decorated Egyptian films internationally, came as no surprise to some critics. By David Awad
Iran hard-liners welcome Trump decision on Jerusalem Some Iranian media outlets believe that Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital will make forming resistance groups easier. By Al-Monitor Staff
Gulenists speak out at last A group of young academics who have been in or close to the Gulen community are speaking out publicly, daring to question others' blind allegiance to their imam. By Mustafa Akyol
Syrian Kurds move closer to Russia The Russian-Kurdish collaboration in Deir ez-Zor shows that after the United States, Russia, too, will be standing in the way of Turkey's efforts to block out Syria’s Kurds. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
Election wranglers manipulate fate of displaced Iraqis The crisis of the displaced within Iraq has become a tool in the hands of political parties exploiting it for advantage in the upcoming election. By Adnan Abu Zeed
Washington’s attempt to impose Mideast peace will backfire US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and other recent measures suggest that he thinks he can bludgeon Palestinians into accepting an unjust peace deal. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Soccer success offers Tunisians respite from country’s problems Soccer fans in Tunisia have been reveling in their national team’s qualification for the FIFA World Cup after missing two consecutive tournaments. By Conor McCormick-Cavanagh
Egypt ups political steps to counter Ethiopia over water crisis Egypt is holding on to political escalation in the coming phase to face the Renaissance Dam crisis after the failure of negotiations with Ethiopia. By Walaa Hussein
Doha's overtures unlikely to lure Cairo from Gulf bloc Recent statements by Qatari officials reflect a shift in Doha’s stance toward Egypt, but Cairo is unlikely to take any steps toward reconciliation without approval from the Gulf countries blockading Qatar. By Albaraa Abdullah
Off The Hookah with Phil and Cooper Episode #033: Bibi It’s Cold Outside (feat. Ben Caspit) Phil & Cooper
Pentagon acknowledges higher number of US troops in Syria The United States now officially has 2,000 troops in Syria, up from 500 previously, despite the Islamic State’s collapse. By Jack Detsch
Netanyahu left without any cards to play Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeated several times the principle of reciprocity in talks with Palestinians, yet he himself is willing to offer them nothing. By Akiva Eldar
Yemen’s new, dangerous post-Saleh power vacuum The death of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh further complicates the conflict that has left Yemen in the throes of a humanitarian crisis. By Giorgio Cafiero
Russia’s multilayered Syrian diplomacy worries Iran Mistrust and differing objectives continue to mar Iran-Russia relations, even as the two countries move forward on Syria. By Hamidreza Azizi
Iran reacts to Trump's 'very dangerous' Jerusalem decision In reaction to Trump’s move to declare recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Iranian leaders warned that they won’t tolerate aggression against holy sites. By Al-Monitor Staff