Iran, US trade tweets as talk of war dies down Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded to Donald Trump’s tweets in a sign that both sides want to reduce tension. By Al-Monitor Staff
Netanyahu battles judicial system, tarnishes Israel’s image Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is destroying Israel's image as a democratic state in a shameless battle against the Supreme Court in an attempt to protect himself from indictment. By Akiva Eldar
How viable is Turkey’s bid for military partnership with Iraq? Turkey and Iraq have agreed to work on sealing a military cooperation agreement, and although regional developments dictate the solution of bilateral crises, the volatile relationship between the two neighbors calls for tempered optimism. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
Rocket strikes Baghdad’s Green Zone A rocket has hit Baghdad's Green Zone near the US Embassy, ramping up US-Iranian tensions even further. By Ali Mamouri
Tunisia’s largest trade union to monitor elections The Tunisian General Labor Union announced an agreement with Tunisia’s electoral commission to take part in the electoral process, which raised the ire of other political parties. By Hanen Jebli
Russia may have designs on Iran's trade with Syria Observers wonder whether Russia will cut into Iran's trade volume with Syria. By Igor A. Matveev
Netanyahu’s dilemma: settlements versus immunity Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must deal with the problematic demand that he include reversing disengagement from the northern West Bank as part of a coalition agreement. By Danny Zaken In Ma'ale HaHamisha, reporting on Israel
Award-winning book narrates migration in five letters Hoda Barakat's "The Night Post," which tells the story of five Arab migrants, won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction amid controversy. By Mohammed Magdy In Berlin, reporting on Egyptian politics
A century of Lebanese documents preserve shifting identities The exhibition “Identity Papers” uses old government documents and artworks to show how identity is created, informed and changed by official papers. By Sam Brennan
Afrin musician teaches region's musical heritage to children Mostafa Bakr has opened a music school in downtown Afrin where he teaches children and adults to play the string instruments of the region, from buzuq to tanbur. By Khaled al-Khateb
Why Saudi Arabia is focused on tensions with Iran The Saudis have called an Arab summit for May 30 in Mecca to likely brand Iran as a terrorist state, with the apparent hope that the United States will strike Iran. By Bruce Riedel
House ratchets up pressure on Egypt The House’s annual foreign aid bill would place conditions on military aid. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
Off The Hookah with Phil and Cooper Episode #099: Under Pressure (feat. Seyed Hossein Mousavian & Laura Rozen) Phil & Cooper
Iran's burgeoning ‘resistance literature’: A new front? Despite an ongoing “paper crisis” that has engulfed both print media and publishers, “resistance literature” promoted by the Iranian political establishment is reaching new heights. By Parto Shariatmadari
Iran should take up Trump’s offer to talk If not directly, at first, then there might be a channel through trusted partners. By Week in Review