Rouhani leverages Sistani visit to maneuver on Iran's regional policy Hassan Rouhani’s first state visit to Iraq as president has ushered in a series of important economic and political accords between the two countries — but his crowning achievement was his audience with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. By An Al-Monitor correspondent
Iran's hard-liners praise Rouhani for boosting trade with Iraq Iran's hard-liners are over the moon that President Rouhani is listening to their advice and capitalizing on Iraq as a key trade partner in the wake of reinstated US sanctions. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkey, US head to new crisis over Ankara’s S-400 purchase Washington’s threats of dire consequences for Turkey if it goes ahead with the Russian air-defense deal are being disregarded by Ankara. By Semih Idiz
Islamic group OKs fund to support Palestinians via UN A new endowment fund established by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation with the participation of the Islamic Development Bank will support UN efforts to help Palestinians, who have been cut off from US funding. By Rasha Abou Jalal In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Comics expo draws crowds in Beirut A Beirut comic and graphic novel exhibition promoted the educational and journalistic values of the art form in the Middle East. By Sam Brennan
Iraq set to try Islamic State detainees according to local laws Iraq has received hundreds of Islamic State detainees from Syria and is preparing to try them in Iraqi courts. By Adnan Abu Zeed
Decades after discovery, Jerusalem’s Byzantine masterpiece may open to public The underground vaults of Jerusalem’s Nea Church, a large complex erected by Emperor Justinian in the sixth century, have remained closed to visitors since their excavation in the 1970s. By Ilan Ben Zion
Tunisia ends decadeslong agreement with France Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef Chahed decided to terminate an agreement with a French company exploiting sea salt, ending France’s monopoly over Tunisia’s salt market, which has been ongoing since the colonial era — but is this move part of an early electoral campaign? By Hanen Jebli
Abbas picks Fatah heavyweight Shtayyeh to lead government President Mahmoud Abbas appointed Mohammad Shtayyeh, a veteran politician and member of the Fatah Central Committee, as prime minister, placing on his shoulders the heavy burden of forming a government that pleases all Palestinians. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Netanyahu, King Abdullah in bind over Temple Mount Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Jordanian King Abdullah II share a similar dilemma: They both need for tensions on the Temple Mount to calm down, but cannot afford to appear as the weak side in this affair. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Where Cairenes go just for laughs Stand-ups in Cairo ease the sometimes grim reality of everyday life in their chaotic megalopolis. By Salwa Samir In Giza, reporting on politics
GOP blocks Trump administration’s bid to save Palestinian aid The Donald Trump administration has pushed Congress to preserve Palestinian security aid only to find resistance from the president’s Republican allies. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
Pentagon seeks $2 billion cut for Islamic State fight The new US defense budget would cut funding to defeat IS by 20% as President Trump targets a withdrawal from Syria by the end of April. By Jack Detsch
Erdogan basing campaign on ploy of 'fake it till you make it' Candidates representing the ruling party in Turkey's upcoming local elections are depending heavily on the president's popularity, which appears to be waning. By Pinar Tremblay
Profiteering, smuggling push Iran to consider ‘electronic’ food stamps Rampant profiteering and smuggling are forcing Iranian authorities to move toward a revamped system of direct subsidies for essential goods. By Saeed Jalili