Iran's Central Bank signals possible interest rate hike While a reversal on current interest rate caps could help the Central Bank of Iran tackle rampant liquidity, the long-term effects of such a policy could unleash far broader crises. By Maziar Motamedi
Syria’s al-Bab opens first Turkish-backed DMV Turkey has backed the establishment of a department of motor vehicles in al-Bab in the Euphrates Shield area, where all vehicles will be registered and inspected to ensure road safety. By Khaled al-Khateb
Looking back on Oslo, 25 years later Yossi Beilin, one of the authors of the Oslo Accords, offers seven insights into their achievements and their failures. By Yossi Beilin
Can Netanyahu get indicted and then re-elected? Police recommend assembling the different cases involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into one indictment. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Israeli Labor mulls split as polls predict crushing loss Despite the dismal polls, no Knesset member in the Labor Party is willing to confront unpopular leader Avi Gabbay. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Can this Egyptian actor's photo in bed with another man send him to prison? Egyptian actor Khaled Abol Naga posted an artistic photo of himself in bed with another man, and he may now face a ban from the Cinematic Syndicate and time in prison. By Ahmed Fouad
Egypt reaps harvest of Sisi’s visit to China Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi returned a few days ago from a visit to China during which he participated in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in what raised questions about the gains that Egypt will achieve from the visit. By Hagar Hosny
Trump touts Mideast moves as Washington reels from 'Crazytown' accounts As accounts emerge of White House aides' internal resistance to some of Trump's controversial policy decisions, the president boasts of his decision to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem, cut off Palestinian aid and pull the plug on the Iran nuclear deal. By Laura Rozen
Trump shelves Gulf talks until next year The White House has once again postponed a Gulf Cooperation Council summit aimed at bringing together the fragmented alliance to counter Iran. By Jack Detsch
Russia, Turkey size up challenges and opportunities in Idlib In the run-up to the presidential summit in Tehran, Russia and Turkey continue to weigh their options for Idlib. By Kirill Semenov
Can Israeli women challenge Chief Rabbinate? Israelis, including many from the national-religious stream, support women who study Jewish law and make Jewish-law decisions. By Danny Zaken In Ma'ale HaHamisha, reporting on Israel
Turkey snatches 'Gulenist' teachers in Moldova Today's reported abduction and deportation of at least six Turkish nationals in Moldova comes as Ankara's latest move against suspected Gulenists in countries where there is weak rule of law. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Tehran summit to end Syrian war, says Iran media The summit taking place in Iran between Russia, Turkey and Iran on Friday can lead to the end of the Syrian civil war. By Al-Monitor Staff
Can Iran threaten US interests from Iraqi territories? Iran has established a strong military foundation among its allies in Iraq, which allows it to threaten the United States and its allies everywhere in Iraq and neighboring countries. By Omar al-Jaffal