Fatah seeks to rekindle ties with Syrian regime Rival Palestinian parties Fatah and Hamas are both making overtures to Syria, but one appears to be having considerably more success than the other. By Adnan Abu Amer
Could this Palestinian businessman take center stage in politics? It seems the Palestinian arena is divided over businessman Adnan Mjalli potentially replacing President Mahmoud Abbas. By Adnan Abu Amer
Turks enter uncharted waters as Erdogan forges ahead with new powers Armed with sweeping powers under Turkey’s new governance system, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has quickly issued a slew of decrees that bring almost all state institutions under his control. By Sibel Hurtas
Off The Hookah with Phil and Cooper Episode #060: To Helsinki in a Handbasket (feat. Max Suchkov) Phil & Cooper
Price tag for Trump’s $250,000 Jerusalem embassy is in – at $21.5 million Federal documents reviewed by Al-Monitor show upgrades to the temporary facility in Arnona will cost far more than the president said. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
Netanyahu, Putin talk Iran before Helsinki summit In his last meeting with Putin before the Helsinki summit with Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to enlist Russia's support for Israel's Syria proposal for the United States. By Marianna Belenkaya
Trump-Putin meeting in Helsinki might solve Syrian crisis Russia and the United States have very different approaches and goals in the Middle East, but they could lead to a solution in Syria. By Fyodor Lukyanov
Khamenei adviser says Russia to replace Western investors As Western firms begin to exit Iran, one of Iran’s top officials travels to Russia. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkey’s battered lira takes another hit Turkey's currency has sunk to a record low after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he expects interest rates to fall despite warnings a crisis looms as the country struggles under its burden of debt. By Ayla Jean Yackley
Soldiers’ funerals become bone of contention between AKP, opposition Turkey's interior minister claims the main opposition party supports terrorism and bans its officials from the funerals of service members. By Pinar Tremblay
How Israel and Egypt are coordinating on Gaza By threatening to close the Gaza Rafah crossing point, Egypt signals to Hamas that it must reconcile with Fatah. By Shlomi Eldar
Turkey and Israel spar over Jerusalem Turkey's increased support and involvement in Jerusalem to support Palestinians have created a backlash in Israeli media. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
'Snake man of Baghdad' spreads love for wild animals Wildlife lover and environmental activist Mahdi Laith says his mission in life is to change Iraqi attitudes toward the country's many exotic species. By Nazli Tarzi
Netanyahu uses 'divide and conquer' strategy to preserve his rule Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's closeness with foreign far-right leaders who undervalue democracy and human compassion falls right in line with his decision to promote the contentious nationality bill. By Akiva Eldar
Hamas feeling consequences of touting ties with Iran Hamas needs its connection with Iran, but some within the movement say it must stop boasting about renewed relations before it undoes any progress it's made to change its international image. By Ali Adam
Are Israel's ultra-Orthodox schools following Jewish values? Ultra-Orthodox Ashkenazi leaders of rabbinical schools discriminate against Mizrahi students because they fear a more open-minded influence on their conservative educational system. By Danny Zaken In Ma'ale HaHamisha, reporting on Israel