Chinese energy giant bids farewell to $5 billion Iran project In what could be seen as yet another blow to Iran's sanctions-hit economy, China's state oil company has withdrawn from a major multibillion-dollar deal in the country's south. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkey's route into Syria full of pitfalls, uncertainties Despite its political and military significance, US President Donald Trump’s green light for Ankara does not make Turkey’s task east of the Euphrates River any easier. By Semih Idiz
Iraq, China launch 'oil for reconstruction' agreement Baghdad has forged a 20-year deal to supply Beijing with oil in exchange for Chinese investments in projects to repair Iraq's war-damaged infrastructure. By Salam Zidane
Russia has 3 messages for Turkey over operation in Syria Russia has its eye on long-term opportunities following Turkey's operation in northeast Syria. By Maxim A. Suchkov
How Egyptian protesters are saying it with music Songs with catchy rhythms and street language have become the anthems of Egypt's young protesters. By Hossam Rabie
Protesters demand to return home to Syria's Deir ez-Zor Displaced Syrians are calling for regime forces and Iranian-backed fighters to withdraw from Deir ez-Zor province, while the anti-regime Syrian Democratic Forces fear such protests could spiral out of control and turn against them. By Khaled al-Khateb
Palestine Monetary Authority gets grip on terrorism funding A new network will help Palestinian banks crack down on illegal money transactions by collecting more data from their customers. By Rasha Abou Jalal In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Erdogan’s friendship with Trump has extra benefits The friendship between the Turkish and American presidents thrives despite all ideological differences, so much so that elites of Turkey's ruling party view the impeachment inquiry as an act of the "deep state" or even a "coup" against Trump. By Pinar Tremblay
Confusion reigns as Trump authorizes troop withdrawal from Turkish-Syrian border towns US President Donald Trump's announcement catches Pentagon, State Department and Syrian Kurds off guard as Turkey assumes a primacy of sorts in the president's thinking despite the S-400 fiasco. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Trump allies in Congress assail decision to let Turkey attack Syrian Kurds Lawmakers and presidential candidates are lambasting President Donald Trump for greenlighting Turkey’s offensive against Kurdish-held areas in northeastern Syria. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
Pentagon pushes back on Turkish incursion in Syria The Pentagon opposed the Donald Trump administration’s decision to allow a Turkish operation in Syria, a senior administration official told Al-Monitor. By Jack Detsch
Turkish press reacts to pending Syria operation Turkey’s media landscape offered mixed perspectives and reports as questions loom over a pending military operation in northeast Syria. By Diego Cupolo
Netanyahu’s Day of Atonement Gideon Saar was the first Likud member to make known his intention to challenge Benjamin Netanyahu for leadership of the party, but he is not alone in wanting to assume the crown. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Turkish incursion threatens to unleash Islamic State in Syria, US officials warn The Donald Trump administration’s decision Sunday to allow a Turkish incursion into northeast Syria threatens to let loose thousands of Islamic State prisoners onto the battlefield, US officials are warning. By Jack Detsch
Iraqi government seems powerless against protesters even as 'unknown' snipers take toll For the seventh day in a row, protesters challenge the Iraqi government across Baghdad and the south; the death toll rises to nearly 120 as unidentified snipers pick off demonstrators. By Ali Mamouri
Israel-Palestinian tax deal has implications beyond economy The compromise over Israel's withheld tax revenues from the Palestinian Authority could present a step toward recognition of Palestinian sovereignty. By Shlomi Eldar