New Diyarbakir mayor backs opposition candidate in Istanbul election rerun The new HDP mayor of Diyarbakir calls for a Kurdish vote against the AKP in Istanbul's mayoral election rerun and says his AKP predecessor has left Diyarbakir in the poorhouse. Turkey
Could retired Maj. Gen. Golan save Israel’s Labor Party? Former Deputy Chief of Staff Yair Golan is a breath of fresh air in Israeli politics, bringing a clear worldview and showing no interest in ingratiating himself with the soft right in order to win a few more votes. Israel
Does Israel’s Blue and White party need to change leaders? Ahead of the new Sept. 17 elections, the Blue and White party must decide which leadership configuration is most likely to bring victory. Israel
Iran’s hard-liners take aim at conservative former judiciary chief Under fire from hard-line foes, Expediency Council chairman Sadegh Amoli Larijani appears to be gearing further to the right — but such maneuvering appears bound to fail. Iran
Iranian public outrage forces 'correction' of kindergarten directive Amid widespread public outrage, Iranian authorities had to revise an official order that sought to ban religious minorities from teaching at government-run kindergartens. Iran
Syria's territorial divisions complicate reconstruction Russia's efforts toward the reconstruction of Syria are hindered by the inherent challenges in the territorial fragmentation of the country. Syria
Iraq electricity minister: US will continue exemptions for Iranian electricity imports Iraqi Minister of Electricity Luay al-Khatteeb told Al-Monitor that US exemptions in the energy sector will continue amid tensions in US-Iran relations. Saudi Arabia
What Israel would look like if more students learned Arabic Israel is situated in the heart of the Arab world, yet it fails to encourage the study of Arabic, except in a military context. Israel
Trump, Pompeo give new priority to diplomacy with Iran While many see a shift in tone rather than substance, the diplomatic channel seems to be heating up. United States
Interview Sen. Van Hollen challenges Trump's bypass of Congress on Saudi Arabia, Iran In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Maryland Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen describes efforts to curtail the Trump administration’s Gulf policies. Chris Van Hollen US Senator from Maryland
Why Turkey is closing down Syrian refugee camps The Turkish government has been systematically closing down Syrian refugee camps, citing high costs and integration problems, but are those the real reasons? Syria
Is US pressure really uniting Iran's rival political camps? Washington's mounting pressure on Tehran might have been expected to forge unity among Iran's rival political camps. But Iranian hard-liners seem to be seizing the moment by attacking an already weakened Rouhani administration ahead of key polls next year. United States
Israel's religious right thrives on political unrest Knesset member Betzalel Smotrich of the United Right party is campaigning for Israel to be run according to religious law, and there are no guarantees he won’t make it happen. Israel
Turkey squashed by Idlib pressure Despite the usual bluster in his traditional Ramadan address, Turkey's president said not a word about the destruction in Syria's Idlib, where Ankara's balance is wobbling. Syria
Can Turkey correct human rights record with new justice reform strategy? President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has just announced a comprehensive judicial reform program, but will it be enough to solve the country's deepening human rights problems? Turkey
Can Kuwait’s Silk City project overcome Islamist opposition in parliament? Kuwaiti lawmakers are raising concerns over possible Chinese investments and liberal regulations involved in the country's economic megaproject, Silk City. Kuwait
