Former Iraqi premier opens up about PMU, new PM, Iran In an interview with Al-Monitor, former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi explained that his faction's opposition to the current government is a matter of personal responsibility and that any criticism is meant to be constructive. By Mustafa Saadoun
Turkey's social security agency withholds data as financial crisis deepens Turkey’s social security agency has stopped releasing data on the labor force and its own financial situation, fueling suspicions that Ankara is trying to smokescreen the true impact of the country’s economic crisis. By Mustafa Sonmez In Istanbul, reporting on economics
No sex, slang or booze: Turkish state is watching New regulations requiring government oversight for online content are narrowing Turks' media world even further. By Pinar Tremblay
Can Egypt's new marriage e-registry curb child marriage? Women's rights activists, marriage registrars and information technology experts have mixed reactions about a new electronic marriage registry service in Egypt. By Menna A. Farouk
Israel's 2005 Gaza disengagement: A turning point for Israel’s right For the Israeli right, the 2005 Gaza disengagement became an ideological and a strategic turning point, which will make it difficult for any Israeli leader to champion a similar move in the West Bank. By Ksenia Svetlova
For Israel’s underdogs, Netanyahu remains king As Israel's Sept. 17 parliamentary election approaches, a settler, a former ambassador, journalists and a kibbutz member help explain how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been able to retain his support despite his legal and other problems. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Did France end efforts for intra-Kurdish rapprochement in Syria? The Kurdistan Democratic Party announced the end of French efforts to achieve rapprochement on the Syrian Kurdish scene, blaming the Democratic Union Party for failing to meet their demands. By Shivan Ibrahim
Turks skeptical over accord with US for Syrian 'safe zone' Many Turks fear that Turkey will be left in the lurch again with the new safe-zone agreement, as it was with the Manbij road map. By Semih Idiz
Families, rights groups demand answers about two more vanished Turks Following the sudden reappearance of four missing men at a Turkish detention site, human rights groups are calling for investigations into the whereabouts of two additional men who vanished in February. By Diego Cupolo
Iran reaffirms support for Houthis as rift splits Saudi coalition Iran's supreme leader has called on Yemen's Houthi rebels to put up tougher resistance to what he deems a Saudi-Emirati conspiracy to partition the war-ravaged country. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israelis captive of 'no partner for peace' concept Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is willing to meet directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for peace talks, but the Israeli leader keeps turning his back on him. By Shlomi Eldar
Egypt declares water emergency as precaution Egypt is cautious but optimistic on its water supply for the year, with strategies to address last year's drop in Nile River flow. By Ayah Aman In Cairo, reporting on politics and culture
Intel: Why Republicans are coming under fire from Israeli right Right-wing members of Israel’s Knesset are unhappy with recent legislation backed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) because of language endorsing a two-state solution. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
Israel’s state watchdog stands guard for Netanyahu Instead of objectively evaluating the policies and ethics of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, new State Comptroller Matanyahu Engelman is protecting the premier’s interests. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense