UAE shifts course in Yemen By cutting back its forces in Yemen, the UAE seeks to evade the material, humanitarian and moral consequences of the war all the while counting on its local agents to implement the UAE agenda in the country. By Ammar al-Ashwal
Will Egypt launch its own official digital currency? As Facebook announced it might not launch its digital currency as previously announced, experts in Egypt are debating whether the country should regulate digital currency. By David Awad
Oil, budgets, Kirkuk still nag Baghdad-Erbil relations Baghdad and Iraqi Kurdistan representatives have held a series of high-level meetings to try to resolve their longstanding issues, but so far without much apparent success. By Omar Sattar
Syrian schools continue to struggle with Kurdish curriculum School curriculum remains the prime concern of parents in Syrian Kurdistan areas under control of the autonomous administration. By Shivan Ibrahim
Will Dahlan party bust Fatah-Hamas duopoly? Dismissed Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan is reportedly working to form a new Palestinian political party with backing from Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. By Ahmed el-Komi
Fire, redevelopment controversy engulf 127-year-old Cairo market An Egyptian presidential decision to vacate and restore the Ataba market stirs traders’ fears of the government's desire to control the largest market in Cairo and turn it into an investment zone. By Hossam Rabie
Why Moscow is ignoring US cyberattacks on Iran Despite Russia's partnership with Iran, Moscow turns a blind eye to American cyberattacks on key Iranian targets. By Paul J. Saunders
Why farmers reject Egypt’s new cotton trade strategy The Egyptian government has announced a new trading system for cotton, which would be sold through public bidding, raising the ire of farmers who already suffer from severe losses. By Rasha Mahmoud
Assad’s forces resume shelling of Idlib President Bashar al-Assad’s forces have suspended a cease-fire and resumed airstrikes against Syria’s last rebel stronghold of Idlib, accusing the opposition of violating the truce. By Khaled al-Khateb
Egypt offers patriotism courses to expats Patriotism courses for Egyptians abroad highlight the Egyptian state's achievements and national projects, and emphasize the importance of disseminating the right information about Egypt and countering those who spread negative ideas and rumors. By A correspondent in Egypt
Why Hamas did not claim recent attacks on Israeli army Hamas did not claim responsibility for a recent attack against the Israeli army at the Gaza border, which could be explained by the fact that the movement does not want to jeopardize the talks on the truce with Israel. By Rasha Abou Jalal In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Turkey, US agree to coordinate on Syrian buffer zone A deal to jointly control a strip of territory now held by Syrian Kurds could reduce friction between Turkey and the United States after Ankara threatened a unilateral military intervention, but some human rights advocates say Turkey will use it to put Syrian refugees back in harm's way. By Ayla Jean Yackley
Corruption no longer fazes Israeli voters Today's Israel is a far cry from the days of the 1992 election, when politicians' criminal entanglements outraged voters. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iran says US-led maritime coalition will create instability Iran’s defense minister has told regional defense officials that the US-proposed military coalition in the Persian Gulf would lead to instability. By Al-Monitor Staff
Is Hamas linked to recent terror attack against Israeli youth? Israel’s security services suspect that Hamas or Islamic Jihad infrastructure in the West Bank were involved in the recent killing of student and IDF soldier Dvir Sorek. By Shlomi Eldar