Will Tunis' first female mayor advocate for women’s rights? Tunis' city council has elected its first female mayor from the Ennahda movement, yet some critics are wary of whether the new mayor will be a strong advocate for women. By Amel al-Hilali
Knesset members entering Al-Aqsa provoke Palestinians Tensions are simmering over the Israeli prime minister's action to lift the ban on Knesset members visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. By Ahmad Abu Amer
Congress wants VOA to take hard line on Iran Accusing US-funded media like Voice of America of being too soft on Iran, Congress and the Donald Trump administration seek to exert more control over its Persian-language news services. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
Turkish TV preacher, disciples detained on sex abuse charges Televangelist Adnan Oktar, who sparked both imaginations and outrage with his unconventional blend of sexuality with Islamic doctrine over decades, is accused of organized crime, espionage, sexual assault and more. By Ayla Jean Yackley
Palestinians use embroidery, amulets to avert evil eye Embroideries that express political messages as well as identity and longings, together with amulets for averting evil, are on display in the Palestinian Museum. By Ahmad Melhem In Ramallah, reporting on politics
'Erdoganism' makes Western debut at NATO summit Though US President Donald Trump is already claiming his share of headlines at the NATO summit, much of the world is waiting to get a look at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's foreign policy approach now that his office has been granted expanded powers with his July 9 inauguration. By Cengiz Candar
What's behind Turkey's rush to reopen Iraqi consulates? Turkey's consulate in Mosul has been closed since the building was seized by Islamic State militants in June 2014, but now Ankara is looking to make a comeback in its southeastern neighbor. By Metin Gurcan
Kremlin pressed to legalize private military companies As Moscow pulls out troops from Syria, Putin is pressed at home to legalize private military companies and come clean about Russain mercenaries' role in Syria. By Anton Mardasov
Iran supreme leader’s top aide in Moscow to ‘deliver message’ Iran has dispatched to Russia a “special envoy” with a message for President Vladimir Putin only a few days before his scheduled meeting with Donald Trump in Helsinki. By Al-Monitor Staff
Why Iran's president won’t close strategic Strait of Hormuz While Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s implicit threat to close the Strait of Hormuz has made headlines around the world, the real aim of his remarks appears to be domestic politicking. By Saeid Jafari
Turkey, Israel battle over Temple Mount Israel is looking into the increased flow of donations from Turkey into Muslim groups active on the Temple Mount. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Why only Khamenei can break deadlock over global watchdog blacklist The heavily politicized debate in Iran over whether to ratify bills necessary to exit the FATF blacklist has reached a standstill that only the supreme leader seems able to break. By Ehsan Bodaghi
Sisi grants privileges, immunity to Egypt's military brass Egypt’s parliament recently approved a draft law granting senior commanders of the armed forces ministerial and presidential privileges while allowing them to enjoy special immunity both in Egypt and abroad. By Rami Galal
Syria's Assad seeks support of tribes against US, others Regime forces are recruiting Arab tribes to fight against the presence of US and other foreign troops in Syrian territories. By Mohammad Bassiki
Israeli president stands up against Arab discrimination In a letter to the prime minister and the Knesset, President Reuven Rivlin pleaded with Benjamin Netanyahu to remove a clause in the proposed Nationality Law that would make it legal to deny Arabs the right to live in Jewish villages. By Yossi Beilin
Egypt's Al-Azhar, Awqaf Ministry renew wrangling over fatwas The dispute between Egypt’s religious authority and the Ministry of Endowments has escalated over the ministry’s right to issue and challenge fatwas as stipulated in a new draft legislation. By Abdulla Kadry