Drought forces Iraq to abandon cultivation of crops Due to the acute shortage of irrigation water, Iraq is reducing the cultivation of large areas of land and preventing the cultivation of strategic crops that are a source of livelihood for farmers, such as rice and corn. By Adnan Abu Zeed
Why Saudi Arabia's powerful crown prince still needs his father The influential, yet polarizing, Mohammed bin Salman still relies on his father King Salman's legitimacy and credentials as the country faces challenges at home and abroad. By Bruce Riedel
Abbas bids adieu Palestine says good-bye to the US-led peace process By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
International pressure sways Israel on village demolition The case of the Bedouin Palestinian village of Khan al-Ahmar shows that sometimes, international pressure is the only way to confront Israeli injustices in the West Bank. By Shlomi Eldar
Culture Alert: July marked by festivals in the Middle East In Istanbul, Baalbeck, Jerusalem and Ras El Bar, the Middle East becomes a vibrant scene of outdoor festivals in July. By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir, reporting on culture
Will Islamic bonds help revive Egypt's economy? Some economists say the government's plan to issue dollar-dominated and euro-dominated Islamic bonds will generate more financial resources, while others worry the move strays from Egypt's secular nature. By Menna A. Farouk
Desperate Syrians flee Daraa only to find closed borders As the Syrian regime's offensive escalates in Daraa, refugees are sleeping out in the open as both Jordan and Israel refuse to open their borders. By Tamer Osman
Israeli centrist leader changes course on ultra-Orthodox draft law Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid took a political gamble and appears to have won by supporting the coalition's proposed law on conscripting ultra-Orthodox males. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Palestinians opt for illegal SIM cards smuggled from Israel West Bank authorities are combating the use of black-market Israeli telecom services, which Palestinians prefer over the pricier internet packages offered by local operators. By Rasha Abou Jalal In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Lebanon-UNHCR feuding over Syrian refugees Hundreds of Syrians displaced in the Lebanese border town of Arsal have returned to their country voluntarily, causing tensions between the Lebanese Foreign Ministry and the UNHCR. By Hanan Hamdan
Palestinians fear recent aid cuts could expand After Australia decided to cut direct aid to the Palestinian Authority, officials are concerned other countries could follow suit. By Rasha Abou Jalal In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Egypt refuses entry for Sudan opposition leader The Egyptian authorities denied re-entry to Sudanese opposition leader, Sadiq al-Mahdi, as ties warm between Cairo and Khartoum. By Ayah Aman In Cairo, reporting on politics and culture
Turkey’s passion for Jerusalem does little for Palestinians Despite the frequent and lofty promises by Turkish officials, major steps that would seriously contribute to the Palestinian economy hinge on Turkey’s attention to sensitive points in its relations with Israel. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
Will Erdogan acquiesce to ally’s amnesty pressure? Turkey’s Nationalist Action Party is likely to use its kingmaker’s position in parliament to press for a comprehensive amnesty, a proposal the government has so far dismissed. By Mehmet Cetingulec
Turkish opposition bickers over defeat as Erdogan sends out inauguration invites President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will assume a vastly empowered presidency on Monday when he takes his oath of office while the opposition is still trading blame over its loss, setting off leadership challenges and fracturing alliances. By Ayla Jean Yackley
How a Turkish translator landed in court on terror charges A Turkish translator risks a jail sentence on charges of spreading terrorist propaganda simply for translating news reports on Twitter. By Tunca Ogreten