Iraqi Kurds look to open new chapter with Iran The Iraqi Kurdish leadership forges ahead with efforts to improve ties with Iran, both in hopes of reviving their economy and also to regain lost clout in Baghdad. By Fazel Hawramy (Iran Pulse)
Will Hamas resume war against Israel? Hamas leaders would never admit that they failed in managing the Gaza Strip, which is why they might opt for another round of violence against Israel. By Shlomi Eldar
Iranian media react to populist cleric's victory in Iraq elections There is some speculation in Iranian media that populist cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s election victory is tantamount to a greater Saudi role in Iraq. By Al-Monitor Staff
US pullout from Iran deal rattles Turkey’s Syria agenda Ankara faces a navigational nightmare in Syria as each new regional development seems to push its divergent objectives further apart. By Semih Idiz
Key arrests tighten noose around Islamic State's Baghdadi Iraq's capture of five key members of the Islamic State organization will assist the Iraqi intelligence service in destroying the organization and preventing its emergence in a new form. By Shelly Kittleson
Palestinian women’s struggle hasn’t translated to political power Palestinian women have been at the forefront of the national movement since the first intifada, yet despite their efforts and sacrifices, they are not fairly represented in government or in PLO bodies. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Will PA follow through with pledges to change agreements with Israel? The Palestinian National Council recently took a series of decisions that Palestinian analysts say will affect relations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. By Ahmad Abu Amer
With help from Copenhagen, Cairo makes room for bicyclists In partnership with the Cairo government, the United Nations and the Danish Embassy, a civil society organization hopes to cut down on traffic and encourage healthier lifestyles with bicycle-friendly infrastructure. By Salwa Samir In Giza, reporting on politics
Israel’s blurred red line of self-defense Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu uses the excuse of self-defense to target other regimes and to make a mockery of decisions by the international community. By Akiva Eldar
What's next in Israel-Palestinian conflict? With Israel riding high after a series of political and military victories, and the Palestinians having suffered 60 deaths on the Gaza border at the hands of the IDF, observers wonder what's next for the leaderships on both sides. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Libya's Hifter launches operation to retake opposition stronghold Libyan military strongman Khalifa Hifter announced the launch of the long-awaited military operation to take Derna, which is expected to boost his popularity in the country’s upcoming elections. By Mustafa Fetouri
Violence taints election in Iraq's Kurdistan region Several cities in Iraq's Kurdistan region witnessed violence following recent parliamentary elections on May 12, leading to calls from Kurdish opposition parties for the results to be canceled. By Fazel Hawramy (Iraq Pulse)
Iraqi election results shock political class The preliminary results of the Iraqi elections are out, indicating a victory for the Sadrist movement and the PMU coalition. By Ali Mamouri
US opens Jerusalem embassy amid Gaza bloodshed The Donald Trump administration and US lawmakers celebrated the grand opening of the new US Embassy today as Israeli soldiers killed dozens of protesting Palestinians. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
Erdogan enjoys royal welcome in UK Despite the United Kingdom's prominence in the anti-Western conspiracies regurgitated by Turkey's pro-government press, the Anglo-Turkish relationship is pretty tight as the Turkish president tours London. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Turkish election pledges belie serious economic problems Both the ruling party and the opposition have pledged various incentives and social welfare benefits ahead of next month's vote. By Mehmet Cetingulec