IDF rabbis find easy road to politics The choice of former Chief IDF Rabbi Rafi Peretz as head of HaBayit HaYehudi shows the religious political right has discovered the potential that lies in the combination of a high military rank and a senior rabbinical authority. By Akiva Eldar
Turkish lawyers focus of 2019 Day of the Endangered Lawyer The Day of the Endangered Lawyer is focusing on Turkey, where lawyers from all ideological and social backgrounds are trying to practice their profession under alarmingly increasing pressures. By Pinar Tremblay
Launch of Saudi news channel sparks controversy among Iraqis The announcement by Saudi media group MBC that it will launch a new TV channel — MBC Iraq — aimed at the Iraqi public has been met with a number of swift and angry responses, sparking defense of the station. By Omar al-Jaffal
Trump, touting gains over IS, focuses on Syria exit Speaking to diplomats attending a ministerial meeting of the 79-member Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS today, President Trump said a formal announcement would come next week that 100% of the terror group's territory had been liberated. By Laura Rozen
Congress puts heat on Saudis as Trump shields crown prince With President Donald Trump set to blow off a deadline to assess Prince Mohammed’s role in Jamal Khashoggi’s murder, Congress is gearing up to pass several anti-Riyadh measures. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
As Greek PM visits Turkey, Erdogan calls for peacefully resolving disputes Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras signaled warming ties during the latter's visit to Turkey. By Jasper Mortimer
Video: Gaza's first food truck rolls on Al-Monitor met with brothers Moath and Mahmoud al-Hasnat, who introduced Gaza to Karmoshty, the coastal enclave's first mobile food cart. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iranian opposition unwelcome at Pompeo’s anti-Iran bash Iranian opposition gets left out of meeting on Iran taking place in Poland next week. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Egyptians split as lawmakers pave way for Sisi to be 'president for life' Proposed amendments to the constitution would allow the current president to remain in office until 2034. By Shahira Amin
How US sanctions could be boosting Iran's presence in Iraq Reimposed US sanctions have encouraged an active Iranian geo-economic agenda in neighboring Iraq, a profitable market where Tehran can ease the pressure coming from Washington. By Mohsen Shariatinia
Iranians praise Iraq’s rejection of US presence to 'watch' Iran President Donald Trump's controversial remarks about maintaining the US military presence in Iraq to "watch" Iran have sparked warm exchanges between Iran and Iraq. By Al-Monitor Staff
Off The Hookah with Phil and Cooper Episode #086: New Congress, Who Dis? (feat. Bryant Harris) Phil & Cooper
Turkey faces serious odds in Manbij and Idlib Despite many rounds of talks with Washington and Moscow, Ankara has still made little headway regarding its plans for northern Syria. By Semih Idiz
Despite AKP hype, foreign trade scores should worry Turks Turkey’s exports increased and its imports decreased last year, but government critics see little reason to celebrate, pointing out the gloomy dynamics underlying the shifts in foreign trade. By Mehmet Cetingulec
Hasty Jordan meeting augurs dissonance at upcoming Arab League summit Arab foreign ministers' surprisingly brief meeting in Jordan likely signals disagreement over regional issues such as the return of Syria to the Arab League and a US-proposed coalition against Iran. By Osama Al Sharif