Pro-Erdogan groups call for Brett McGurk's arrest A no-name group claiming to work against the US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen has called for the arrest of US diplomat Brett McGurk, the most recent American to be targeted by supporters of the Turkish president. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Fear of Netanyahu paralyzes Likud leadership Some senior Likud politicians may feel that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must quit over the ongoing investigations, but no one is brave enough to say it aloud. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
#MeToo movement is stillborn in Turkey The #MeToo movement has focused on violence in Turkey with significant support, but the attackers are neither named nor punished, and sexual misconduct is still a taboo subject, so its victims often suffer alone in shame. By Pinar Tremblay
US sanctions-busting trial fails to shock Turkish markets Turkey’s financial markets remained relatively calm in the face of bribery confessions and other allegations targeting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. By Mustafa Sonmez In Istanbul, reporting on economics
Can Hamas agree to prisoner swap with Israel? Egypt pushes Hamas to send Israel some signs, signaling that it is ready for a prisoner-exchange deal. By Shlomi Eldar
Should Egypt arm Sinai tribes to confront extremists? The November attack on Al-Rawdah Mosque in the Sinai Peninsula has led to mounting calls for the arming of tribes, but not all tribes think that would be a good move. By A correspondent in Egypt
How Egyptian public workers will stay warm this winter An initiative to allow Egyptian public sector employees to buy winter clothes and pay in installments amid soaring prices could revive the stagnating garment sector. By Abdulla Kadry
Hamas warns West Bank arrests could derail reconciliation Hamas is accusing the Palestinian security services in the West Bank of continued political arrests against its members despite the reconciliation agreement with Fatah. By Ahmad Melhem In Ramallah, reporting on politics
Lebanon’s tech-savvy youths poised for bright future Initiatives in Lebanon assist youths in exploring technology and science, which could give them a boost in the job market in the future. By Florence Massena (Lebanon Pulse)
Palestinians cancel Capitol Hill Christmas over Trump remarks The Palestinian mission in Washington abandoned attempts to court the White House and Congress with the mission's first-ever Christmas party on Capitol Hill after it was announced that President Donald Trump would make a major statement on the status of Jerusalem on Wednesday. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
Saudis fail at their own conspiracy The fiasco surrounding the death of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh shows how Washington needs to help Saudi Arabia end the war on its neighbor. By Bruce Riedel
Israeli tech puts Iranian ride-hailing startups in bind Drivers for Iranian ride-hailing companies have been using an Israeli navigation app, causing conflict between the relatively new businesses and judicial authorities. By Saeid Jafari
Two years after jet crisis, do Russians really trust Turkey? Russians appear to have forgiven Turkey for its jaw-dropping decision two years ago to shoot down a Russian jet, but forgetting is another matter. By Yekaterina Chulkovskaya
Iranian media: Yemen ex-president's death result of his 'betrayal' Iranian media opine that Ali Abdullah Saleh’s reported talks with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and consequently the breaking of his alliance with the Houthis led to his death. By Al-Monitor Staff
Erdogan draws red line over US Embassy's move to Jerusalem Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is threatening to sever ties with Israel if the United States moves its embassy to Jerusalem, positioning himself as a global defender of Islam at the risk of further tension with the West. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Are Turkey and Europe seeking a new kind of relationship? Turkey’s EU membership bid has reached an impasse, but cooperation between Ankara and Brussels continues in key areas of mutual interest. By Semih Idiz