Turkish activists decry indictment seeking life sentences for Gezi protesters Opposition figures are accused of trying to force out President Recep Tayyip Erdogan by leading demonstrations to save a park, yet they say the charges are an attempt to sway public opinion ahead of elections this month By Ayla Jean Yackley
Iran media: Rouhani tours Iraq 'in daylight' while Trump landed 'in secrecy' The high-profile visit by Iran's President Hassan Rouhani to neighboring Iraq has been welcomed by Iranian media and resulted in a "unified stance" between the two countries. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkish-Iranian trade disappoints big time Turkish-Iranian trade has declined to its lowest level in nine years despite political rapprochement, a preferential trade agreement and the use of local currencies in economic ties. By Mehmet Cetingulec
Is this the end of the Syrian Interim Government? The resignation of Jawad Abu Hatab as prime minister of the Syrian National Coalition-backed Syrian Interim Government raises doubts about the future of the endeavor in light of advancements by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Idlib province. By Khaled al-Khateb
Jordan’s Syrian refugees are not going home anytime soon Only a few thousand of the more than 600,000 registered Syrian refugees have returned home from Jordan since the war started in 2011, sparking fears about the kingdom’s capacities to bear the costs of hosting. By Osama Al Sharif
Syrian truckers fear for jobs as Turkish drivers cross border Turkish trucks have been entering Syria through the recently opened Bab al-Salam crossing, to the protests of Syrian truckers and shippers. By Khaled al-Khateb
Dahlan bloc upends election at Fatah university in Gaza The political bloc affiliated with the Democratic Reformist Current of dismissed Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan won the majority of seats in the election of Al-Azhar University’s workers union, a blow to Fatah’s popularity. By Moath al-Amoudi
Late PM Begin stars in election campaigns The Blue and White party has identified a longing among Israeli voters for a leadership that is modest, honest and inspiring — with the model being what Prime Minister Menachem Begin had to offer. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Is Jerusalem cable car turning Old City into Disneyland? Urbanists are claiming that the Jerusalem cable car project would destroy the ancient city’s skyline, while Karaite community members deplore desecration of their cemetery. By Mordechai Goldman
Israeli Third Temple party gains traction The right-wing, radical Zehut party of former Knesset member Moshe Feiglin is gaining traction and might even enter the Knesset following the April elections. By Shlomi Eldar
Rouhani in Baghdad seeks outlets against US sanctions Iranian president Hassan Rouhani is paying his first visit to Iraq with the hope of expanding economic relations to allow Iran to counter the tightening noose of US sanctions. By Ali Mamouri
Sisi's moves to restore Jewish heritage get international applause Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's decision to restore Jewish heritage sites may promote tourism and the image of his country. By Mordechai Goldman
Netanyahu fears tackling Democrats Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has kept quiet so far on the matter involving US Rep. llhan Omar, D-Minn.; he knows his policies have been helping reduce Democratic support for Israel for years. By Akiva Eldar
Istanbul's first Kurdish film festival casts light on women issues From Saturday Mothers whose sons went missing in the 1990s to homeless children whose parents have been killed, Kurdish films provide a grim reflection on the situation on the ground in Turkey. By Paul Benjamin Osterlund
Turkey's economy sinks into recession Financial media say the Turkish economy is in recession, and Turkey refuses to renew the press cards of three German journalists. By Jasper Mortimer
Trump budget nixes aid to opposition-held Syria The Donald Trump administration is doubling down on its decision to eliminate economic and stabilization aid for Syria amid its pending troop withdrawal. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress