Egypt's feminists laud mass appointment of women as top judges Women have been latecomers to Egypt's judiciary, but they're inching toward key posts in waves. By Menna A. Farouk
Israel, Hamas on verge of modest truce Without the support of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Israel and Hamas will have to make do with a small-scale truce agreement. By Shlomi Eldar
Is Turkey’s 'strategic partnership' with America coming to an end? An expert maintains that if solutions to the structural factors poisoning ties cannot be found, Turkish-American relations will continue to deteriorate. By Semih Idiz
New border crossing to create direct Iraq-Turkey link Ankara and Baghdad have announced plans to open a second border crossing, tightening links between the two countries. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Pentagon budget leaves uncertain future for Middle East President Donald Trump authorized on Monday the Pentagon’s 2019 budget, which will underwrite big upgrades for US weapons systems and troop numbers but leaves an uncertain future for the Pentagon’s operations in the Middle East. By Jack Detsch
US sanctions put nearly half a million jobs at risk in Iran’s auto parts industry Auto parts suppliers in Iran warn that US sanctions coupled with domestic mismanagement are bringing their industry to its knees. By Al-Monitor Staff
Palestinian diplomatic campaign gaining traction While the Netanyahu government considers it to be a minor inconvenience, the choice of Palestine to head the UN’s largest group of developing countries greatly strengthens the diplomatic status of Palestinian leadership as an international player. By Yossi Beilin
Iraq, Jordan sign security agreement Iraq and Jordan have signed a security agreement to facilitate trade and travel between the two countries. By Mustafa Saadoun
Syrian regime forces seize Suwayda desert After eight days of fighting, the Syrian regime forces, with the help of opposition factions, managed to seize the Suwayda desert following the eviction of the Islamic State organization. By Tamer Osman
Egypt takes effective step on path to economic reforms Egypt launched an electronic management system to track and monitor state agencies’ financial performance and public accounts in an effort to enforce budgetary spending and crack down on waste and corruption. By Mohammed Magdy In Berlin, reporting on Egyptian politics
Hebron forced to crack down on lucrative, dangerous scrap trade The local authorities are fighting the scrap trade in Hebron, where people burn used goods to extract valuable materials despite the damage it causes to the environment and public health. By Ahmad Melhem In Ramallah, reporting on politics
Palestinian Islamic Jihad optimistic after visit to Russia While some believe the Palestinian Islamic Jihad's trip to Moscow aimed to counter US plans that favor Israel, others say it reflects the movement’s openness to whatever serves the interests of the Palestinian cause. By Entsar Abu Jahal
Traffic policewomen, a first for Bethlehem Women participated for the first time in organizing traffic in Bethlehem, as part of a police program aimed at promoting women’s role in the force. By Entsar Abu Jahal
Turkey wants its share of Syria’s reconstruction Turkey is bargaining with Russia for the reconstruction of Aleppo and to promote field projects in order to get a share in the reconstruction efforts of the war-torn country. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
Is Egypt doing enough to fight drug addiction? Egypt’s Ministry of Social Solidarity recently launched a drug abuse-awareness initiative in Port Said in an attempt to reach families and youths on summer holidays at the beach. By Ahmed Aleem
Israel's nationality law knows no boundaries Israel's new nationality law undermines its prospects of being a state like any other, with recognized boundaries, living in peace and security with its neighbors. By Akiva Eldar