Idlib heats up, may be key to Russian-Turkish deal in Syria As Idlib in western Syria falls to an extremist rebel faction, Moscow and Ankara consider their options there and in northern Syria. By Kirill Semenov
Iran plays Hamas card ahead of Israeli elections Hamas insists on Qatari money; Iran offers training for Palestinian factions; Russia wrestles with its limits in Syria; UAE leads GCC rapprochement with Damascus. By Week in Review
As US exits Syria, what will define Moscow's Mideast policy in 2019? The US exit from Syria means the set of challenges facing Moscow in the region is significantly changing. By Maxim A. Suchkov
Hamas prisoners vote inside Israeli jails Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan announced a series of harsh restrictions on Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. This could be a dangerous maneuver for Israel. By Ahmad Melhem In Ramallah, reporting on politics
Pompeo speech fails to make waves in Iranian media Iranian media and Iranians in general mostly snubbed US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s speech in Cairo. By Al-Monitor Staff
US sanctions hit Iranian students seeking bank accounts in Europe While Europe says it remains committed to the nuclear deal with Iran, the US withdrawal from the accord has created overcompliance with sanctions among banks that has made life difficult for Iranian students in Europe; however, Iranian students in the United States tell Al-Monitor they have not experienced such difficulties. By Saeid Jafari
Will Israel allow Palestinian elections in East Jerusalem? Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called for legislative elections within six months, but the ability of East Jerusalemites being able to participate is uncertain, as usual. By Adnan Abu Amer
France weighs its Syria presence, cooperation with Russia As the United States leaves Syria, France seeks an appropriate balance between its own military presence, relations with Russia and maneuvering between Turkey and the Kurds. By Igor Delanoe
Israel erects underground, underwater barriers to thwart Hamas attacks Israel’s sea and land barriers were built to stave off Hamas attacks and prevent tunnels from being dug. By Adnan Abu Amer
Veteran Likud member must raise integrity banner against Netanyahu’s rule Knesset member Benny Begin has long been the emblem of political honesty and integrity; now he must raise his voice against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's continued rule while suspected of corruption. By Yossi Beilin
Is Turkey losing ground in Idlib? An offensive by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in the western Aleppo countryside has forced the Turkey-backed National Liberation Front to retreat. By Mohammed al-Khatieb
Syria issues coins to replace banknotes worth about a dime Given the inflation rate and the collapse of the Syrian currency, the Central Bank of Syria issues a new 50-pound coin (worth about 10 US cents) to save on high printing (and reprinting) costs for banknotes. By Khaled al-Khateb
Israeli right likely to maintain support for Netanyahu if indicted The Likud and the right-wing bloc is positioned to win the Israeli elections, and most of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition partners will agree to join him again even if he is indicted. By Danny Zaken In Ma'ale HaHamisha, reporting on Israel
Egypt closes crossing to Gaza as Abbas tightens noose The Palestinian Authority's latest action in the Gaza Strip is expected to worsen conditions for the already suffering Palestinians in Gaza. By Ahmed el-Komi
Tunisia joins Arab efforts to mend ties with Syria’s Assad Tunisian political parties have been calling for the restoration of ties with the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad six years after the former troika government expelled the Syrian ambassador. By Amel al-Hilali