Iran's Central Bank chief speaks out on currency plunge, $15 billion French credit line Iranian Central Bank governor Abdulnaser Hemmati speaks in-depth about the re-imposition of US sanctions on his country, the unprecedented plunge of the rial and more. By Rohollah Faghihi
Turkey’s military operation turning into diplomatic war As the military front becomes perceptibly static in Turkey’s Operation Peace Spring, the center of gravity shifts to diplomatic front, seemingly catching Ankara underprepared. By Metin Gurcan
Erdogan says he does not mind presence of Syrian troops as long as Kurds leave The Syrian Democratic Forces forged a deal with the Syrian government to hold off the Turkish attack in northern Syria. By Mohammed al-Khatieb
Will revival of joint technical committees help save the PA? With the reactivation of joint technical committees authorized by the Paris Protocol, the Palestinian Authority is hopeful about recovering monies owed it by Israel resulting from undisclosed tax withholding information and corruption. By Ahmad Melhem In Ramallah, reporting on politics
Will re-pricing natural gas cast positive shadow over Egypt's industry? The Egyptian government recently decided to amend prices of natural gas used in industries, subject to changes depending on world market prices. By Amira Sayed Ahmed
Egyptian engineer on death row in Saudi Arabia Egypt is appealing to the Saudi authorities to reconsider putting an Egyptian engineer to death, sending evidence that he was used to smuggle drugs and did not knowingly commit a crime. By Ahmed Youness
Is US redesigning southern flank? Amid Turkey’s rapprochement with Russia, the United States has stepped up military cooperation with Greece, Turkey’s traditional regional rival, heralding shifts in geostrategic balances in the Balkans, the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean. By Metin Gurcan
Pentagon to stay in Islamic State fight from Iraq The Pentagon expects to fight the Islamic State from Iraq, a senior defense official said today, as American troops are set to leave northern Syria under pressure from a deepening Turkish offensive. By Jack Detsch
Putin goes for broke to negotiate Turkey cease-fire US withdrawal created some opportunites for Russia but also had it face new challenges with Turkey. By Maxim A. Suchkov
Erdogan defies international outcry over Syria incursion Turkey has faced a barrage of recrimination for launching a military operation against Syrian Kurdish militants, but its president vows to maintain the “struggle for survival,” even as the death toll mounts and a humanitarian crisis looms. By Ayla Jean Yackley
Majority of Iranians now want to quit nuclear deal A new poll shows that Iranian public support has decreased significantly for the JCPOA, and three-quarters of those polled indicate that they only support restarting negotiations with the United States if sanctions are lifted first. By Barbara Slavin
Locals lobby to keep their valley green in South Lebanon The residents of Wadi Zibqine struggle to keep a road from destroying one of the last green spots in South Lebanon. By Catherine Cartier
Will Netanyahu’s ultra-Orthodox allies jump ship? Days before his deadline for composing a majority coalition, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fears abandonment by ultra-Orthodox allies or a rebellion within the Likud. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Rouhani calls US sanctions on Iran 'crime against humanity' Iran's president has slammed the US economic sanctions on food and medical supplies for Iran but promised that Tehran will defeat Washington in the "economic war." By Al-Monitor Staff
Kurdish deal with Syrian regime against Turkey a boon for Iran As the Kurds sic Syria's army on Turkey, Iran offers to assume the high-profile role of mediator in the crisis. By Makram Najmuddine
Iran, Saudi Arabia and the 'Trump variable' Relations between Saudi and Iranian leaders seem to sway precariously from week to week, propelled by a host of outside influences. By Saeid Jafari