Turkey at odds with US and Russia over northern Syria As Ankara loses ground in Idlib, President Erdogan’s threat of military action east of the Euphrates raises the stakes for Turkey. By Semih Idiz
Erdogan touts grand plans to resettle Syrian refugees in safe zone Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claims a safe zone in northeast Syria could be used to resettle up to three million refugees currently in Turkey and Europe, but critics doubt his proposal is feasible. By Diego Cupolo
Iran defends strikes on Saudi oil facility but denies role While flatly denying any role in the twin strikes on Saudi oil facilities, Iran finds no drawback in firmly standing by the Shiite Houthi rebels for what it views as their exercise of the right to retaliate against Saudi attacks. By Al-Monitor Staff
Imposition of election date signals end to Algerian government patience Algerians protested the decision to hold elections in December as their demands are left unmet and many activists and opposition members linger in jail. By Simon Speakman Cordall
Has Erdogan revealed Ankara’s occupational goals? Syrian Kurds and Armenians fear a Turkish-run safe zone east of the Euphrates, particularly since Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had threatened to establish a military safe zone east of the Euphrates and labels the Kurdish People's Protection Units as terrorists. By Lamar Erkendi
Imprisoned Hamas members end 2-week hunger strike The senior leadership of Hamas prisoners said the prisoners have ended their hunger strike after receiving assurances from the Israel Prison Service to stop using cellphone jamming devices, but Israeli media portray the strike as having little effect. By Ahmad Melhem In Ramallah, reporting on politics
Was Netanyahu’s controversial visit to Hebron worth election efforts? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes a rare visit to the West Bank city of Hebron, drawing anger among Palestinians who warn against Israel’s efforts to extend sovereignty over Hebron’s Old City. By Ahmad Melhem In Ramallah, reporting on politics
Will Israel cut electricity supply to West Bank? The West Bank has started to witness partial electricity cuts as the Israel Electricity Corporation claims debt owed by the Jerusalem District Electricity Company. By Aziza Nofal
Why Egypt's construction boom creates ghost towns Egyptian leaders from Anwar to Sisi have attempted — and failed — to build lavish cities to relocate dense urban populations. By Hossam Rabie
Are Egypt's star-studded festivals losing their shine? Egypt has been known for its star-studded festivals and concerts. Lately, however, many regional celebrities have been staying away. By Ahmed Fouad
Self-proclaimed marja riles other Iranian ayatollahs Conservative ayatollahs in Qom, Iran, are losing patience with one of their own because he deems himself a marja, or top religious authority, and because of his secular leanings. By Rohollah Faghihi
Intel: How Netanyahu's push for redo elections backfired By Danny Zaken In Ma'ale HaHamisha, reporting on Israel
Congress wants answers after 10 bomb-sniffing dogs die in Jordan Congress is demanding answers after an inspector general report showed that a number of bomb-sniffing dogs from the United States have died from neglect in Jordan. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
Suspected Iranian strikes raise US concerns over Chinese missile proliferation The Donald Trump administration is concerned that US adversaries such as China are abetting Iran’s growing missile arsenal, which US officials believe was used in strikes against Saudi oil facilities over the weekend. By Jack Detsch
What the latest Astana summit tells us about Iran’s position on Syria Russia, Iran and Turkey continue to negotiate a settlement to the Syrian war that works to their advantage. By Hamidreza Azizi
US questions Iran’s assent to non-proliferation pact amid inspections Washington is challenging Tehran's commitment to global non-proliferation agreements, citing traces of uranium found at an Iranian site. By Jack Detsch