Netanyahu, Liberman criticized over Gaza cease-fire The latest round of Israel-Hamas fighting, the most severe since the war they fought in 2014, has intensified criticism against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman. By Shlomi Eldar
Congress seeks more control over North Africa counterterror program Lawmakers want a coherent strategy for the desert region from the Donald Trump administration. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
Palestine seeks UN support to reclaim its deadly viper from Israel Palestine, irked by Israel's declaration to adopt the Palestine viper as its national snake, takes the issue to the United Nations, accusing the Jewish state of "seizing symbols of Palestinian biodiversity." By Rasha Abou Jalal In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Putin, Netanyahu struggle to mend ties in Paris Despite the brief meeting on the margins of the Paris Peace Forum, Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu seem to have failed to fully mend bilateral ties damaged over the downed Russian spy plane. By Marianna Belenkaya
Sanctions push Rouhani to boost state involvement in Iran’s economy The impact of the re-imposed US sanctions has forced the Rouhani administration to shift its market-oriented approach to the economy to focus on active involvement by the state. By Mohsen Shariatinia
Unlike officials, Iranian aid worker praised for reviving quake-hit area On the first anniversary of a deadly quake in western Iran, officials are still under fire for abandoning survivors. Meanwhile, a female charity worker's performance is raising eyebrows. By Al-Monitor Staff
'Atrocious' recording of Khashoggi’s killing shocks listeners Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he's gotten shocked reactions to an audio tape of the Saudi journalist’s final moments as he presses world leaders to hold the kingdom accountable for its alleged role in the killing. By Ayla Jean Yackley
PA, Russia step up economic ties As part of efforts to boost cooperation, the Palestinian Authority and Russia signed understandings on energy, customs and labor exchanges at the third meeting of the Russian-Palestinian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation. By Ahmad Melhem In Ramallah, reporting on politics
Iran-backed PMU militias in Iraq raising profile Danish elite forces left the Iraqi-Syrian border area in late October against a backdrop of tension between Denmark and Iran. By Shelly Kittleson
Crossing between opposing forces opens near Idlib, Syria Despite sporadic fighting, a crossing between forces of the Syrian regime and its opposition has reopened in Morek. By Khaled al-Khateb
Israeli right fears new Congress For the next two years, Israeli settlers and their right-wing supporters will no longer enjoy unlimited access to the House of Representatives. By Akiva Eldar
No deal with Hamas will pay off for Israel Israel's military leadership continues to support efforts to reach an arrangement with Hamas despite knowing that any cease-fire will enable the group to increase its military capabilities. By Shlomi Eldar
Twitter is Coming: Iranians strike back at Trump with memes Following US President Donald Trump’s tweet that used a "Game of Thrones" meme to warn Iran about new sanctions, keyboard-happy Iranians quickly striked back at both Trump and their own officials. By Fereshteh Sadeghi