Erdogan displays political prowess in deflecting Trump threat In response to Trump's tweet threatening to destroy Turkey economically if it attacked the Kurds, Erdogan focused on the other half of the tweet: a buffer zone along the Syrian border. By Jasper Mortimer
How this royal portrait boosted Qatari national identity A sense of national identity has been growing steadily in Qatar since the Saudi-led blockade began in June 2017, and it seems as though an image of the Qatari emir has helped it along the way. By Rebecca Bradshaw
Iranian FM ‘maneuvers’ in Iraq as rivalry with US heats up Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has embarked on an extensive visit to neighboring Iraq at a time when US-Iran competition in the country is reaching levels not seen before. By Al-Monitor Staff
Erdogan's plans in Iraqi Kurdistan may backfire The news that Nechirvan Barzani will not continue as prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq is causing Turkey to worry that the new KRG Cabinet will not be formed of allies of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. By Fazel Hawramy (Iraq Pulse)
Why some Turkish media rejoice at negative economic data Glossing over unpleasant economic news has become a notable trend in the Turkish media as the country heads to local elections in the grips of economic woes. By A correspondent in Turkey
Will Erdogan wind up alone after alienating Arabs? Following Trump’s decision to pull out of Syria, Ankara fears isolation after years of maneuvering to be an effective player in the Middle East. By Pinar Tremblay
Hamas-Fatah tension takes its toll on reconciliation Analysts fear the escalating tension between Hamas and Fatah will lead to an irreversible separation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. By Mohammad Habosh
Fate of Algeria’s missing migrants sparks international concern A group of 120 individuals from Syria, Yemen and Palestine disappeared last month in Algeria, and now rights groups are calling on the authorities to reveal their fate. By Simon Speakman Cordall
Outgoing IDF chief of staff praised as calm, resilient leader Outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot earned the respect of a wide spectrum of Israelis by sticking to his values, leaving his ego at home and keeping out of politics. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Before talks with Palestinians, Israel must fulfill agreements Years of occupation and settlement expansion render the possibility of reaching an agreement with the Palestinians very slim, but Israel can reach out to them by implementing past agreements. By Akiva Eldar
Turks unite to condemn Trump's threat to 'devastate' economy Turkish government officials and members of the opposition condemned President Donald Trump's threat to "devastate Turkey economically" if Ankara attacks Washington's Kurdish allies in northern Syria. By Jasper Mortimer