Egypt to 'partially privitize' railways Cairo's plan to involve the private sector in the management of its railways is intended to improve services and fight corruption, but some in Egypt see any movement toward privatization as a dangerous slide. By David Awad
IRGC funding for cinema stirs debate in Iran Financial support from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps becomes a heated topic in Iran’s cinema community. By Zahra Alipour
Iranian media abuzz over sudden Tehran mayor resignation The sudden resignation of Tehran’s Reformist mayor has surprised Reformist media and political activists alike. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkey changes electoral law in boost for ruling party Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan say the new changes to the country’s voting rules will secure the elections, but the opposition worries the new law will lead to fraud and has filed a lawsuit to block it. By Ayla Jean Yackley
Turkey's rejection of Moody's downgrade won't make it go away Officials in Istanbul are dismissing a downgrading of Turkey's credit rating as part of a plot against the country, as the economy heads for troubled times. By Pinar Tremblay
Um Sameh, the wonder woman of eastern Ghouta With famine gripping the besieged enclave of eastern Ghouta, Um Sameh stepped in with One Hand, an organization she founded, to fill the gap left by international organizations unable to deliver aid to starving residents. By Barrett Limoges
Lebanon elections pit old guard against new movement Lebanon’s parliamentary elections, slated for May 6 under a new electoral law, include a new movement determined to break the control of political dynasties. By Nour Samaha (Lebanon Pulse)
Jordan fears collapse of de-escalation zone in southwest Syria Jordan seems worried the fighting in Syria’s eastern Ghouta could hit near its borders amid claims of strikes by Syrian jets against rebel-held areas in Daraa. By Osama Al Sharif
Young Egyptians start campaign to battle sexual abuse A group of young Egyptians launched a graduation project that turned into a public campaign on sexual abuse of children in Egypt. By Amira Sayed Ahmed
Syrian women in Egypt learn to fight through fear A Cairo group is helping Syrian women gain the confidence and skills they need to confront the harassment they often face as refugees in Egypt, and even non-Syrians are joining up. By Rasha Mahmoud
The path to a nuclear-free Middle East Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should understand that he cannot forge a unified front with Saudi Arabia against the Iran-led Shiite axis while thwarting Saudi plans for commercial nuclear energy. By Akiva Eldar
Nationalistic fervor rising in Greece, Turkey It is increasingly difficult to distinguish between rhetoric and reality in the deteriorating relationship between Greece and Turkey. By Sarah Souli
Will the Likud ever abandon Netanyahu? Likud activists explain that unless the police reveal a smoking gun proving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took money for himself, no one in the party will challenge him. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Iran risks losing clout in Iraq by arresting Shiite cleric Shirazi The arrest in Iran of cleric Hussein Shirazi, who belongs to an influential religious family in Iraq, sparked outrage and protests among his supporters in several countries. By Ali Mamouri
State Department shake-up leaves Qatar hanging President Trump’s ouster of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson knocks out a leading champion for resolving the monthslong Qatar crisis in the Persian Gulf. By Jack Detsch
Egyptian-Americans launch human rights push ahead of Sisi re-election Trump helped free NGO worker Aya Hijazi from prison. Now she’s leading the charge against his Egypt policy. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress