Liberman’s secular campaign turns him into kingmaker Many right and center-left voters liked what Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Liberman offered them in the last election campaign: a secular unity government that would end religious coercion. By Danny Zaken In Ma'ale HaHamisha, reporting on Israel
How teachers plan to overcome EU funding cuts to Idlib schools The EU has cut some educational funding allocated for Idlib province, citing interference by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in the sector. By Khaled al-Khateb
How Egypt responded to Erdogan’s rant at UN In his speech at the UN General Assembly where he attacked Egypt and its president, Turkish President Recep Tayyib Erdogan has made it clear that his anger at Cairo will not fade any time soon. By Mohammad Hanafi
Palestine no longer a safe environment for investments Economic indicators show an increase in Palestinian investment outside Palestine, stirring fears about the Palestinian economy. By Adnan Abu Amer
Iran's influence seen in transfer of Iraqi war hero The recent transfer of a widely popular commander is thought to be an Iranian-backed effort to discredit Iraq's Counterterrorism Service, which is seeking to maintain its independence and military capability. By Mustafa Saadoun
UAE minister draws on the past to seize possibilities of AI future In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Omar Al Olama, the UAE’s minister of artificial intelligence, laid out his country's approach to AI, stating, “We do not believe that we need to wait and be followers in the AI revolution. We need to take the lead.” By Al-Monitor Staff
Does Russia seek 'ideological alternative' to US with Gulf security concept? Despite popular claims that Russia's policies in the Middle East are free of any ideology, the recent Gulf security concept released by Moscow may suggest that there should be one. By Kirill Semenov
US lobbying revelations upend Tunisia’s presidential race A $1 million lobbying contract first revealed by Al-Monitor has sparked a criminal complaint against a leading presidential candidate. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Israel worried Iran might attack soon As the self-confidence of Tehran grows stronger, President Donald Trump might not be the one to save Israel from Iran. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Netanyahu will soon need right-wing parties he crushed If Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu succeeds in generating a third election, he would need a strong right wing and not the weak one that he himself had been crushing. By Shlomi Eldar
Critics say Turkish government’s judicial reform package falls short Members of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party introduced the first package of its Judicial Reform Strategy, but critics say the provisions fall short of the government's stated aims. By Diego Cupolo
Iraq on fire as protests spread across the south Protests have escalated in Baghdad for the third day in a row, spreading toward southern Iraqi cities. By Ali Mamouri
Iran claims to have foiled terror plot against Qasem Soleimani The head of the IRGC’s intelligence organization claims it foiled an assassination plot on Qasem Soleimani, the IRGC’s Quds Force commander. By Al-Monitor Staff
The Takeaway: October 9, 2019 By Andrew Parasiliti In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security
Jordan book fair held with theme 'Jerusalem: The Capital of Palestine' The Amman International Book Fair, one of the major literary events in the region, takes up the Palestinian issue as the theme this year. By Mohammad Ersan