Iranian media stunned by Iraqi PM's compliance with US sanctions Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's decision to cooperate with US sanctions has surprised a number of analysts and media in Iran. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israeli bill aims to crack down on those hiring prostitutes Politicians from both right and left supported the bill of Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked to fine those who hire prostitutes. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Addressing Jewish refugees' issue vital part of Mideast peace For years, the Arab world and Israeli politicians have ignored the pain and rights of Jews expelled from Arab countries out of neglect or worry that it would muddy the debate on Palestinian refugees. By Akiva Eldar
Israel’s Nationality Law lays ground for West Bank annexation The recently adopted Nationality Law could indicate that the Netanyahu government is preparing to annex the West Bank. By Ron Skolnik
Are Israel, Hamas en route to war or an agreement? Hamas' leadership seems unaware of or simply does not care that its actions to defend what it views as the honor of the movement threaten a pending cease-fire deal with Israel and make a full-blown humanitarian crisis in Gaza more likely. By Shlomi Eldar
Palestinian police patrol Hebron in rare sight for locals Israel recently allowed Palestinian security forces to deploy in Hebron's old town in a show of control and cooperation, but it has not committed to any ongoing coordination for future patrols. By Ahmad Melhem In Ramallah, reporting on politics
Medieval Turkish village reinvents itself as tech hub In the mid-15th century, Sultan Mehmet II strategically dispatched 300 soldiers across the coast from Lesbos; today, the old Janissary village bids for technological, rather than military, power. By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir, reporting on culture
Syrian women face heat, harassment while picking Jordan's crops Many women who fled the war in Syria have found themselves working to survive with their entire families in Jordan's fields. By Daniela Sala
Firing of Palestinian prisoner affairs minister sparks anger In an interview with Al-Monitor, Issa Qaraqe, former minister of prisoner affairs, discussed his dismissal and replacement as various Palestinian factions condemned the move by President Mahmoud Abbas given Qaraqe's widely respected efforts on behalf of prisoners. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Home for a day: Palestinian diaspora reconnects with motherland A project run by Ziad Bakri in Palestine aims to reconnect Palestinians in the diaspora with their family's history by visiting the homes their relatives left in 1948. By Aziza Nofal
Cairo, Rome carefully repair relations two years after researcher's murder The Italian foreign minister’s recent visit to Egypt revived diplomatic relations between Cairo and Rome following the long, heated dispute over the slaying of Italian postgraduate student Giulio Regeni. By Mohammed Magdy In Berlin, reporting on Egyptian politics
Azaz conference explores boosting role of Syrian women Women in the opposition-controlled areas in northern Syria are taking action to claim wider social, economic and political roles in the opposition-held areas. By Khaled al-Khateb
Freeing Green Movement leaders is losing value as trump card for Tehran While the Iranian political establishment could once have energized the disheartened public via the release of the detained Green Movement leaders, such a step is no longer likely to have the same impact it once would have had. By Ehsan Bodaghi
Turkey’s economic headache bigger than Brunson standoff, US problems Although Turkey’s dispute with the US administration over American pastor Andrew Brunson has worsened the country’s foreign currency position, the US-Turkish row is not why the lira is melting down. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Watchdog: Islamic State fighter numbers increase in Syria A top Pentagon watchdog says between 4,000-6,000 Islamic State fighters remain in northeast Syria, far higher than the number cited by the Defense Department. By Jack Detsch
Genocide still haunts Iraq's Yazidis Four years after the genocide against them, Yazidis mark its anniversary without a noticeable improvement in their situation. By Saad Salloum