Dollar bills buy Turkish singer big trouble Turkish pop star Mabel Matiz is the latest public figure under investigation after he had the misfortune to appear in a music video with one-dollar notes, which the government claims Gulenists use as a secret messaging system. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Iran government takes crucial step toward ending education discrimination The Iranian government is one step closer to eradicating discrimination against those deprived of higher education, but a cloud of uncertainty still hovers over the fate of Bahais. By Al-Monitor Staff
Church groups outraged as US denies critical support to Jerusalem hospitals US President Donald Trump's decision to redirect $25 million earmarked for Palestinians in East Jerusalem hospitals to "high-priority projects elsewhere" leaves seriously ill patients caught in the middle of "political blackmail." By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Turkish-Russian 'strategic ties' fail stress test on Syria's Idlib The recent Tehran summit placed a spotlight on differences between Ankara and Moscow over Syria, leaving the Turkish president rattled. By Semih Idiz
Erdogan’s opposition: Where art thou? As Turkey’s economic woes present a golden opportunity for opposition parties to score points, the parties instead appear lethargic, invisible, divided, distant and unable to benefit from Erdogan woes. By Pinar Tremblay
Iraq's religious tourism suffers from US sanctions on Iran The number of Iranian pilgrims traveling to Iraq for religious holidays is expected to witness a sharp decline due to the impact of US economic penalties on Iran. By Adnan Abu Zeed
Why Iran is battling US at International Court of Justice Iran has turned to the International Court of Justice in a battle to end current and pending US sanctions, though the United States has already said it doesn't recognize the court's jurisdiction in the matter. By Makram Najmuddine
The show must go on: 'Disney Live!' returns to Egypt after hiatus After a four-year break, performances of 'Disney Live!' are returning to the land of the pharaohs with a show celebrating Mickey Mouse’s 90th birthday. By Menna A. Farouk
Iran eyes major role in post-war Syria via reconstruction Iranian involvement in the reconstruction of Syria offers Tehran the opportunity to cement its influence, boost its economy and forge closer ties with China. By Hamidreza Azizi
Turkish influence in Idlib takes hit as Syria talks open in Geneva Talks in Geneva between Turkey, Russia and Iran will discuss the establishment of a constitutional committee for Syria, but diplomatic efforts could be torpedoed by developments in Idlib. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Tehran careful to frame steps against money laundering as independent move Iran is moving cautiously forward on legislation to combat money laundering and terror financing, as the steps crucial to the health of Iran's economy must not be seen as concessions to outside pressure. By Al-Monitor Staff
Rouhani moves closer to Khamenei amid bipartisan backlash President Hassan Rouhani’s appearance before parliament to answer economic questions did not satisfy Principlists or Reformists. It did, however, please Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. By Saeid Jafari
Why Turkey wants a permanent naval base in Northern Cyprus With the heated atmosphere in the eastern Mediterranean because of the Syrian crisis and the rivalry over hydrocarbon reserves, Turkey’s desire to install a permanent naval base in Northern Cyprus is being debated. By Metin Gurcan
Jerusalem court recognizes settlement built on private Palestinian land The Jerusalem District Court has found that an Israeli settlement built on privately owned Palestinian land is legal, but Palestinian owners have not given up hope for the Supreme Court. By Rasha Abou Jalal In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Palestinian judges resign in protest against executive branch interference Fourteen judges from the Supreme Court of Palestine announced their collective resignations Sept. 5 in protest against amendments to the Judicial Authority Law that would pave the way for the executive branch’s interference in the judicial sector. By Ahmed el-Komi
Factions call for changing Iraq to presidential government A group of pro-Iranian leaders in Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units want to switch the Iraqi governing system from parliamentary to presidential. By Omar Sattar