Is Qatari money to Gaza falling into Hamas operatives' hands? Despite Israeli claims that it strictly controls the distribution of Qatari financial assistance transferred to Gaza, some of the funds appear to be ending up in the hands of Hamas operatives through "commissions," deceit and "protection money." Qatar
Israel’s ultra-Orthodox tied to Netanyahu Without an alliance between them, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be able to form the next government and the ultra-Orthodox might find themselves in the opposition. Israel
First Mohamed to play for Jerusalem soccer team results in racist reaction The decision by Beitar Jerusalem owner Moshe Hogeg to hire Ali Mohamed to play for the team unleashed all the team’s racist demons, particularly among La Familia, the team’s infamously far-right fan club. Israel
Gezi Park detainees to finally get day in court The Gezi trials, in which 16 people face life imprisonment without parole, are set to finally begin and will test judicial independence in Turkey. Turkey
Amberin Zaman talks Turkey, the Kurds and Syria Amberin Zaman, Al-Monitor's senior correspondent reporting from the Middle East, North Africa and Europe, discusses Turkey, the Kurds and Syria in a webinar recorded in June 2019. Originals
Senate votes to constrain Trump on Gulf arms sales as Iran tensions heat up A bipartisan group of senators rebuked President Donald Trump for his Iran emergency declaration hours after Tehran shot down a US drone over the Persian Gulf. Saudi Arabia
US sanctions fail to bend Iran’s economy, expert says Al-Monitor contributor Bijan Khajehpour said at an Al-Monitor event in Washington today that the Donald Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign has not succeeded in crippling the country's economy. United States
Intel: What's next for US-Iran tensions after drone downing Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated further as both sides confirmed that Iran shot down a US military drone today. United States
Iran's 'throw money' economic strategy failing Among its many other problems, Iran's economy is suffering because of poor and brash decisions of the past and needs to get back to the basics. Iran
IRGC: Drone downing 'message’ against foreign invasion Iran claims that the US drone it shot down was flying over Iranian territory when hit by a surface-to-air missile. United States
How Palestinians reacted to Morsi’s death The Palestinian Authority has reportedly banned Palestinians from opening sites to mourn former Egyptian President and Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohammed Morsi out of fear of affecting the PA’s relations with the current Egyptian regime. Palestine
Turkey’s car-making sector sputters amid economic downturn Turkey’s automotive sector, which holds a 1.5% share in global automotive production, is struggling on an uphill track, hit by domestic economic woes and unfavorable external factors. Turkey
Netanyahu adds radical-right politician to Security Cabinet On the backdrop of tensions in Gaza, the decision of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to include Knesset member Bezalel Smotrich in the Security Cabinet could turn into a disaster. Palestine
New Pentagon chief faces first test with Iran Army Secretary Mark Esper is set to take the helm as the Pentagon’s newest acting chief, but comes to the job with limited Middle East experience. United States
Jordanian censors try to put 'Jinn' back in the bottle "Jinn," a youth drama that takes place in a private high school in Jordan, has opened a Pandora's box on morals and censorship. Jordan
Intel: How Democrats are using John Bolton’s Iraq War baggage to push back on Trump’s Iran policy National security adviser John Bolton wasn’t on Capitol Hill today, but he still took center stage as Democrats grilled State Department Iran coordinator Brian Hook on the Donald Trump administration’s maximum pressure policy. United States
