Israel releases Hamas senior, could mean deal en route The release of Hamas official Muhammad Abu Tir and the ensuing calm could signal that Israel and Hamas are creeping toward an arrangement. By Shlomi Eldar
Is Erdogan resettlement plan for Syrian refugees really viable? The Turkish president's proposal to build refugee settlements in the safe zone has already revitalized the Turkish construction industry. Neither refugees nor the Kurds are pleased, and the international community has lashed out at the plan. By Sibel Hurtas
Death toll climbs in second day of Turkish offensive Both Turkish and Syrian civilians were reported killed as Turkey pressed a cross-border assault on a Kurdish militia and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan struck a defiant tone in the face of international criticism. By Ayla Jean Yackley
Netanyahu, not Israel, needs unity government to survive Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is misleading the people when he claims that only a unity government would be apt to tackle the Iran threat. By Yossi Beilin
What sort of game is Avigdor Liberman playing? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is very worried that Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Liberman will agree to cooperate with the Joint List in an effort to bring him down, thereby allowing Benny Gantz to form a minority government. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
US policy changes leave Israel alone against Iran Israel is suddenly facing a new reality in which the Iranians are free to attack Saudi infrastructure and the Turks attack Kurds in Syria. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Going it alone: Saudi Arabia’s economic realities after oil attacks The energy sector is Saudi Arabia's lifeline, but it is more often a honey pot of domestic spending than a resource for future development. By Karen Young In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy
How will US troop withdrawal from northern Syria affect Iraq? The US troop withdrawal from northeastern Syria could lead to catastrophic consequences for Syrian Kurds while strengthening the Islamic State and destabilizing Iraq. By Dana Taib Menmy
Iran urges Turkey to pull forces out of Syria Iran’s Foreign Ministry has issued statements opposing the Turkish incursion into northeastern Syria. By Al-Monitor Staff
Abdul Mahdi pressured into staying in office Political parties behind Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi pressure him to not resign. By Mustafa Saadoun
What to expect from Putin's visit to Saudi Arabia Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit Saudi Arabia on Oct. 14 with a set of economic and security issues on the agenda. By Ruslan Mamedov
Kurdish leaders support Iraq's embattled prime minister The Iraqi Kurdistan government is trying to calm protesters' demands for the central government's prime minister to be removed. By Omar Sattar
Merger solidifies opposition in Syria, boosts Turkey's forces In the days before Ankara began its offensive against Kurdish fighters in Syria, it arranged a merger between the Syrian opposition's National Liberation Front and the Syrian National Army, strengthening Turkey's numbers for the battle. By Mohammed al-Khatieb
Turkey has multiphase game plan for Syria operation Turkey plans to divide its Syria operation into three phases and coordinate them with diplomatic work. By Metin Gurcan
Abbas backs down on decision to refuse clearing funds Crippled by a severe financial crisis, the Palestinian Authority has recently accepted the clearing funds from Israel that it had been refusing for eight months. By Adnan Abu Amer
How currency float increased Egypt’s foreign reserves to all-time high The pound flotation has lifted Egypt’s foreign reserves to an all-time high topping $45.117 billion at the end of September, and to maintain the reserves at historic record highs, economists urge the government to boost local industrialization. By Ahmed Elleithy