Divisions restrict Southern Transitional Council, UAE ambitions in Yemen Although the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council is fighting for the independence of southern Yemen, their ambitions as well as the UAE’s risk deepening divisions in the area. By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey In Exmouth, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics
Why these Egyptian artists are telling Cairens to take deep breath At the "Tea Time with My Lungs" exhibition, three young artists explain with art the importance of just taking a deep breath. By Salwa Samir In Giza, reporting on politics
Intel: What’s in Congress’ new Turkey sanctions package Infuriated with President Donald Trump for greenlighting Turkey’s offensive against the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units, Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., are turning to sanctions legislation. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
Young Gaza artist's surrealist paintings transcend borders The surrealist paintings of Reham Amawi portray what she calls the silence of the world toward the Palestinians' plight. By Khaled Abu Amer
Islamic State fight paused as Turkey invades northern Syria As Kurdish fighters in Syria leave the fight against the Islamic State to defend against Turkey, the United States pauses the battle against the militant group. By Jack Detsch
Lawyers decry lack of justice for jailed activist Kavala in Turkey A Turkish court refuses to free Osman Kavala, who stands accused, along with 15 others, of organizing mass 2013 demonstrations. By Ayla Jean Yackley
Iran faces challenges in privatization plans For privatization to succeed in Iran, the government must empower the real private sector as opposed to semi-state entities. By Bijan Khajehpour In Vienna, reporting on Iranian politics
Turkey launches attack on Syrian Kurdish forces as US steps aside Turkey has begun its assault in northern Syria, testing the defenses of the Syrian Kurdish forces and the limits of US tolerance for an operation that the Pentagon has fiercely opposed. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Iran urges Turkey to show restraint as Ankara launches Syria operation Closely monitoring the tense Turkey-Syria border situation as Ankara launches an incursion, Iran has called on Turkey to resort to dialogue and abort its military offensive there. By Al-Monitor Staff
What did Lavrov discuss in Baghdad and Erbil? Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Iraq to discuss a broad range of issues, with economy and security dominating the agenda. By Marianna Belenkaya
Syrians brace as Turkey begins operation against Kurds After the United States withdrew troops from the Syrian-Turkish border this week, Turkey pulled the trigger on its offensive against Kurdish forces in northern Syria. By Shivan Ibrahim
Turkey launches Syria invasion hours after informing US of plans Turkey told the United States on Tuesday that it plans to launch an attack into northern Syria within 24 hours, Al-Monitor has learned, as some in the Donald Trump administration tried to push back against reports that the president had given a green light for the impending incursion. By Jack Detsch
Why Syrians in Jordan refuse to return home Not many Syrians have returned from Jordan since the Nassib-Jaber border crossing was opened last year, for fear of military conscription and arrest by government forces. By Khaled al-Khateb
Is Sisi shutting down internet freedom in Egypt? During the demonstrations that broke out across several governorates in Egypt, many news websites were blocked, not to mention the censorship of many social networking sites. By A correspondent in Egypt
‘The only game in town’: Progress seen in French initiative for US-Iran talks A French initiative to de-escalate US-Iran tensions has developed a framework for broader talks to resolve regional tensions. By Laura Rozen
Trump invites Erdogan to White House as northeast Syria shudders US President Donald Trump announced that he will host Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in November as his move to pull US troops out of Syria continues to sow chaos along the Syrian-Turkish border. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture