Drivers and barriers to Iran-US compromise in Syria The best option for Iran in post-war Syria would be to bargain over a regional compromise aimed at establishing limited policy cooperation with all influential actors; however, to realize such a scenario it is necessary for the barriers to a compromise to be removed. By Heidarali Masoudi
Erdogan seeks lifeline from Putin in Syria The Turkish president will discuss Syria with his Russian counterpart in Moscow this coming week, as Qatar's Sheikh Tamim takes spotlight in Beirut. By Week in Review
Conflict erupts over properties surrounding Samarra shrine Owners of land adjacent to a holy shrine in Samarra, Iraq, are threatening legal action against the shrine's administrators, who allegedly are maneuvering to buy the properties on the cheap. By Ali Mamouri
Ownership dispute casts doubt on future of Cairo bookstore Egypt's Culture Ministry steps in to protect the valuable books and manuscripts at the Orientalist, a bookstore in Cairo, after its owner dies. By Ahmed Fouad
Lawmaker-turned-Saudi lobbyist raises eyebrows with campaign donations Former Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., donated $1,000 to a key lawmaker the same day he lobbied his office on behalf of the Saudis — a common practice in Washington. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
Erdogan's newfound love for cannabis For decades, the Turkish government took pride in burning cannabis fields in its battle against PKK terror. Now, a boasting Erdogan leads Islamists in celebrating industrial hemp cultivation as a method of resistance to the West. By Pinar Tremblay
Betraying Reformist backers, Rouhani paves way for Iran’s hard-liners to take office After supporting President Rouhani in the past two elections, Reformists are breaking with the president in public ways. By Ehsan Bodaghi
Palestinian PM amends controversial regulation to exclude Jerusalemites A controversial decision ordering Palestinian homeowners to seek approval of government agencies before renting to any person with an Israeli ID produced a big reaction from East Jerusalem residents, prompting the order to later be amended to exclude them. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Sadr urges technocrats as armed factions look beyond border Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr continues to oppose "political" appointments, as his Saraya al-Salam guards Sunni areas relatively near the capital and other Popular Mobilization Units eye possible official cross-border operations. By Shelly Kittleson
Syrian artists find new platform, inspiration in Beirut The Syrian conflict has seen many artists move to Beirut, using the capital to strengthen the artistic link between the two countries, a phenomenon explored by "Moussem Cities: Damascus starts in Beirut." By Sam Brennan
Who controls Egypt’s sports scene? The rising monopoly of the Egyptian state-owned advertising and sports marketing agency Presentation Sports over soccer broadcasting rights is raising controversy. By George Mikhail
Sex scandal shakes Israelis' trust of judicial system The sex scandal involving head of the Israeli Bar Association Effi Naveh is shaking all of Israeli society, generating mistrust against judges and their integrity. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Why Israel’s culture minister defended Haifa’s Christians Christians in Haifa demanded that the McJesus sculpture be removed from the Haifa Museum of Art, but they certainly did not ask for provocative Culture Minister Miri Regev to intervene. By Shlomi Eldar
Off The Hookah with Phil and Cooper Episode #083: The Jasmine Revolution, Part I (feat. Emir Sfaxi) Phil & Cooper