Ticking time bomb: not a license to torture The terrible damage done to Palestinian Samer Arbid, who is suspected of heading a terror cell, could harm Israel much more than the harm that would have occurred had torture not been used on him. By Yossi Beilin
Did Egypt go behind Hamas’ back to meet with Israel? Egypt’s security delegation visited Israel and held talks in Netanyahu’s office without visiting Gaza. By Adnan Abu Amer
Will Egypt’s protests reach Jordan? The online calls for protests to bring down the regime in Egypt and other calls on social media for protests demanding reforms in Jordan encouraged Jordanian activists to unify their ranks. By Mohammad Ersan
Protesters rise up as Lebanon’s leaders grapple with multiple economic crises Hundreds of Lebanese took to the streets to protest deteriorating economic conditions and the high cost of living, which prompted the Central Bank to issue a new measure aimed at easing the currency crisis. By Michal Kranz
Hamas orders its supporters not to comment on anti-Sisi demonstrations Hamas decided to distance itself from Egyptian demonstrations demanding the departure of Sisi. By Tamam Mohsen
Egypt, US combine efforts to boost family planning programs Egyptian parliament recently approved amendments to a deal signed with USAID that would provide $10 million for Egypt’s family planning program. By Amira Sayed Ahmed
Egypt tries to get new Sudan government to its side Egypt has recently hosted a meeting of Sudan’s revolutionary forces and armed opposition to help advance negotiations and peace talks, as Cairo believes security in Sudan is linked to its own internal stability. By Ayah Aman In Cairo, reporting on politics and culture
Congress pushes Trump to get tough on Idlib Congress is calling on the State Department to get tougher on calling out reported Syrian war crimes as forces loyal to the Bashar al-Assad regime attempt to advance deeper into Idlib, one of the opposition’s last holdouts in the war-torn country. By Jack Detsch
Congress aims to keep spotlight on Saudi Arabia one year after Khashoggi murder One year after Jamal Khashoggi’s murder, Congress still seeks to hold Saudi Arabia accountable despite resistance from President Donald Trump and his allies in the Senate. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
Israel’s ambassador to Egypt still sitting at home Amira Oron is an experienced diplomat, who was supposed to be the first woman to serve as Israel’s ambassador to Cairo; yet one year after her appointment was approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she is still sitting at home. By Ksenia Svetlova
One year on, Turkish human rights advocates lament inaction on Khashoggi murder One year after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, advocates for human rights and press freedom highlight failures in bringing the perpetrators to justice. By Diego Cupolo
Will Erdogan's plans for northern Syria be realized? Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may keep everyone guessing about his next move in Syria, but it is not certain if he has clear plans himself. By Semih Idiz
The new Knesset's uncertain start As members of the 22nd Knesset took their seats, speculation swirled about a third round of elections within a year and the twilight of the prime minister's political career. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Israeli Arabs have had enough of violence, arms The surge in crime over the past few weeks, and especially the number of murder cases, has mobilized Israeli Arabs to declare a general strike. By Shlomi Eldar
Iran's supreme leader vows to continue cuts to nuclear deal commitments Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has promised that Iran will take further steps back from its nuclear-related commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal. By Al-Monitor Staff
Pentagon to expand brain trauma treatment for terror war veterans The Defense Department plans to expand a program that transitions veterans of the war on terror in the Middle East from Pentagon health care to the Department of Veterans Affairs to include traumatic brain injuries, a signature wound of the 17-year war. By Jack Detsch