New tax plan set to increase Palestinians' burdens In an attempt to compensate for threats of US aid cuts, the Palestinian Authority is revamping its tax system to expand the tax liability of citizens, which could have a catastrophic impact on Palestinians. By Rasha Abou Jalal In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Was Egypt's bond sale a sign of hope or desperation? Egypt raised $4 billion in a debt sale to help finance its budget deficit, but some economists emphasize that the government must ultimately find ways to generate income if it is to successfully deal with its economic problems and settle its debt. By David Awad
US still pouring weapons into Yemen war The United States sold Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates more than $650 million in weapons last year for their war against the Houthis, according to a new report. By Jack Detsch
Slew of anti-Palestinian bills points to impending Israeli elections The numerous anti-Palestinian bills pushed forward by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition are signs that the right is preparing for early elections. By Akiva Eldar
Israeli settlers hold country hostage to their ideology Americans and Israelis are hostage to powerful single-interest lobbies like the National Rifle Association and the right-wing settlement movement, which do not represent broad public opinion. By Ruth Sinai
Syrian children in Lebanon express their plight with poetry An exhibition in Beirut combines poems written by Syrian children with Lebanese and Syrian artists’ paintings, drawings and sculptures. By Florence Massena (Lebanon Pulse)
Assassinations mount as Iranian Kurdish militants clash with Tehran Tension builds in northern Iraq as the conflict between Iranian-Kurdish militants and Tehran seems to escalate. By Fazel Hawramy (Iraq Pulse)
Iranian MPs move to impeach three of Rouhani’s ministers Iranian members of parliament move to impeach three ministers in President Hassan Rouhani's government. By Al-Monitor Staff
Erdogan lashes out at US over support for Syrian Kurdish fighters The president renewed his criticism of Turkey’s NATO partner after a US-backed Syrian Kurdish militia said it would deploy troops to Afrin province to battle the Turkish army. By Ayla Jean Yackley
Hamas entangled in regional polarization While Hamas welcomed the recent statements made by Qatari Ambassador Mohammed al-Emadi regarding support for the Gaza Strip, it denounced Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir’s accusation that Hamas is an extremist movement, which shows a new alignment in the region. By Adnan Abu Amer
Death sentences cool warming Iraq-Turkey ties Death sentences imposed by an Iraqi court on Turkish women affiliated with the Islamic State has put Turkey in a difficult spot with its stance on terrorism and puts a brake on what appeared to be improving relations with Baghdad. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
Iraq’s legendary copper markets fade away Iraqi's legendary copper markets, once centers of commerce and socialization, are now fading away, from Baghdad to Najaf. By Wassim Bassem
Israel's Labor Party quietly hemorrhages support Despite the legal scandals facing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Labor Party has taken a nosedive in the polls as possible early elections loom. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Palestinians change tack on Trump Palestinian leaders appear to have made a deliberate decision not to respond to every pro-Israel statement out of the White House. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Netanyahu's freedom now on the line Now that Nir Hefetz, the former adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has turned state's witness against his former boss, it appears to increase the likelihood the Netanyahu era is coming to an end. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense