Congress directs Pentagon to press Saudi Arabia on Yemen refueling bill The Senate version of the annual defense bill calls on the Pentagon to hold the Saudi-led coalition accountable for paying back the United States for aerial refueling in the Yemen war. By Jack Detsch
How Iran’s startup sector can realize its potential Iran’s startup scene is rapidly growing and holds great potential, but shortcomings remain and a failure to address them will undermine the sector. By Bijan Khajehpour In Vienna, reporting on Iranian politics
G-20 summit could be last exit before all-out US-Turkey crisis Turkey doesn’t know “how to reply” to US Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan’s letter, a senior security source tells Al-Monitor. By Metin Gurcan
Iranians expect little from Japan’s mediation efforts Japan's prime minister is in Tehran for what is widely seen as an attempt to calm escalating US-Iran tensions, but few people there expect miracles. By Al-Monitor Staff
Greek Cyprus calls for arrest of Turkish drilling crew Ankara has vowed to continue gas exploration activities in disputed waters near Cyprus after Greek Cypriot authorities issued arrest warrants for workers on Turkey's gas-exploration ship. By Diego Cupolo
Liberman to wage fiercely secular campaign despite deep ultra-Orthodox ties Despite rebranding himself as a champion against religious coercion in Israel, Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Liberman has a history of cooperation with the ultra-Orthodox. By Mordechai Goldman
The Syrian funeral that divided Turkey A funeral ceremony for a controversial Syrian militant, known as “the singer of the revolution,” has sparked indignation in Turkey. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
Cigarette surfboard shames Lebanese smokers Environmental activists have built a stand-up-paddle board from used cigarette butts to show the cost of trash to Lebanon’s coast and culture. By Sam Brennan
Five years later, calls for accountability over fall of Mosul continue On the fifth anniversary of the fall of Mosul, people decry that no one has been held accountable for the tragedy. By Gilgamesh Nabeel
Palestine, Morocco forging first bilateral economic pact For the first time independently of the Arab League, Palestine and Morocco have agreed to develop their trade exchange, which currently favors Morocco heavily. By Aziza Nofal
Central Bank offers mortgages to help Egypt's middle class The Central Bank of Egypt has an ambitious plan to provide Egypt's middle class with funding to buy properties. By Ahmed Elleithy
Trump offers another gift to Netanyahu The latest statement by Ambassador David Friedman on the possibility of annexing parts of the West Bank indicates that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump are tightly coordinated. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Growing esports market has huge potential in Mideast The video gaming industry is gaining ground in the Middle East, as its popularity and prize money continue to grow. By Ahmad al-Dajani
Coding academy opens new opportunities for Moroccan youth 3W Academy Maroc aims at addressing youth unemployment in Morocco through accessible tech education. By Catherine Cartier
Israel's economy faces uncertain future Employment and wage figures are excellent, inflation is low and the country’s credit rating is high, but the growing deficit will require Israel’s next government to cut expenditures or raise taxes — or both. By Danny Zaken In Ma'ale HaHamisha, reporting on Israel
Right-wing infighting: A warning sign for Netanyahu By firing Education Minister Naftali Bennett, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu angered his loyal partners, the national-religious camp. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics