Intel: Deadly airstrike on Turkish convoy tests Ankara-Moscow ties Syrian jets hit a Turkish military convoy today in Syria’s Idlib, killing three civilians and injuring 12 others in an attack that likely could not have occurred without Moscow's knowledge. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Turkey ousts three more pro-Kurdish mayors The mayors of Turkey's Diyarbakir, Mardin and Van have been replaced by state appointees in the latest move against a major pro-Kurdish party. By Diego Cupolo
Iran calls for compensation for Gibraltar tanker seizure Iranian officials have welcomed the release of the Iranian tanker seized by the UK. By Al-Monitor Staff
Intel: How Turkey's decision to oust three Kurdish mayors will hamper peace prospects By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Pentagon sees warning for China in Turkey's F-35 ouster The Pentagon says the US decision to boot Turkey from the F-35 program for buying a Russian missile system could have implications for nations that invest in Chinese technologies. By Jack Detsch
Turkish activists stand up against refugee deportations Human rights defenders in Turkey have raised their voices against the forced deportations of thousands of Syrians back to their war-torn country, urging Ankara to grant asylum rights to people fleeing oppression. By Sibel Hurtas
Ennahda’s change of heart on presidential elections The Ennahda movement surprised many by putting forward a candidate, Abdel Fattah Mourou, for the presidential elections slated for September. By Amel al-Hilali
What’s behind the Egypt, Cyprus rapprochement? Egypt, Greece and Cyprus have been taking steps to get closer to one another, culminating their rapprochement with the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum that would obstruct the Turkish drilling for gas in the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone, according to observes. By Ahmed Youness
How this Palestinian committee works to end agreements with Israel A Palestinian committee is currently reviewing ways to end all agreements signed with Israel and break economic ties, but Palestinians are wary of such efforts as President Mahmoud Abbas has repeatedly failed to put his promises into action. By Rasha Abou Jalal In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Why Palestinians invest in zaatar and honey The Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture's incentives have boosted production of zaatar and honey, two traditional Palestinian products. By Khaled Abu Amer
How Russia maneuvers between Saudi Arabia, UAE in Yemen Moscow exercises hedging strategy in Yemen to preserve good times with Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. By Samuel Ramani
Camera issue fails to capture suppression of Arab Israeli vote The cameras in Arab-majority voting stations are a ploy to excite the Likud's base while high voter rates in the settlements — where votes shouldn't even legally be cast — pose a much bigger electoral issue. By Afif Abu Much In Baqa al-Gharbiyye, reporting on business and tech
Putin’s Gulf security plan depends on Trump The Russian president plans to roll out his regional initiative to calm Gulf tensions next month — but are the United States and the EU ready to let Putin step up in the Gulf? By Week in Review
Is Iran’s national broadcaster being pushed to brink of irrelevance? Iran's national broadcasting monopoly IRIB continues to play a partisan role in the country. By Kourosh Ziabari
Turkey, Syrian Kurds remain at odds in safe zone visions The US-Turkish deal on a safe zone in northern Syria has averted the prospect of Turkey fighting the Kurds, but the parties have stepped into a diplomatic minefield, where the interests and objectives do not match. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
Off The Hookah with Phil and Cooper Episode #109: PMU Can’t Touch This (feat. Ali Mamouri) Phil & Cooper