Why Egypt agreed to release Islamic Jihad detainees The Islamic Jihad’s visit to Cairo has resulted in the release of some of its members who were arrested by the Egyptian authorities during the latest anti-regime demonstrations. By Entsar Abu Jahal
Pentagon guardianship of Syrian oil fields faces pushback For days now, despite Turkish forces jeopardizing a fragile US-brokered cease-fire in northern Syria, President Donald Trump has insisted that American forces have secured oil fields liberated from the Islamic State. By Jack Detsch
Who betrayed Syria’s Kurds? Before the recent Turkish intervention in northeast Syria, US officials and Syrian Kurdish leaders went back and forth on the role of US troops in the region. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Syrian Kurds bring demands to Washington The Syrian Democratic Council hopes to convince the Trump administration to rethink its withdrawal. By Julian Pecquet
Syrian cease-fire holds as Kurdish forces withdraw from Turkish border A fragile truce held for a fourth day despite sporadic fighting as Kurdish militants leave a strategic town, the United States pulls out its soldiers and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan heads to Russia to discuss what comes next. By Ayla Jean Yackley
How Turkey’s Syria incursion could have big impact in the Gulf Turkey's Operation Peace Spring has exacerbated the divide between Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait on the one hand and Qatar on the other. By Samuel Ramani
Iran announces upgrades at Arak nuclear reactor Iran has announced upgrades to the Arak nuclear reactor and says it is ready to take the fourth step toward the reduction of nuclear commitments. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkish-backed fighters laud success of suspended Operation Peace Spring Turkish-backed fighters say the Kurdish dominated People's Protection Units (YPG) better withdraw from the safe zone within the 120-hour deadline under the Oct. 17 US-Turkish Operation Peace Spring agreement or else. By Khaled al-Khateb
How to think about Iraq’s demonstrations Iraq's demonstrations are largely justified and entirely expected as the removal of the problems of sectarianism and insurgency have left the deep structural problems of Iraq’s government and its political economy exposed. By Douglas A. Ollivant
Congress calls on US to scout nuclear alternatives to Turkey base Congress has tucked a provision into a bill to sanction Turkey for its two-week incursion into northern Syria that would study the possibility of removing US nuclear weapons and troops from Incirlik Air Base. By Jack Detsch
Movie about Yazidis, female fighters offers stylized look at Kurdish plight "Sisters in Arms" casts an artful eye on the plight of Iraq's Yazidi women and the Kurdish women who fought the Islamic State, but critics say its narrative is misleading. By Dana Taib Menmy
Has Erdogan given up rapprochement with Arabs? For many years, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan worked toward rapprochement with the Arab world, but the Arab League’s condemnation of Turkey’s Syria operation has marked a turning point. By Mehmet Cetingulec
How local groups, volunteers are helping displaced in northern Syria Local organizations and volunteers are mobilizing efforts to cater to the needs of thousands of displaced who fled the Turkish offensive in northeastern Syria. By Shivan Ibrahim
Does Egypt really have gas self-sufficiency? Despite the frequent announcements by Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek el-Mulla of achieving self-sufficiency in natural gas and halting imports, in addition to the completion of the phases of operation of Zohr field, Cairo's continued import of Israeli gas stirred confusion. By Rasha Mahmoud
25 years on, Jordan-Israel peace is frostier than ever While there is no love lost between Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, neither will take the risk of jeopardizing the fragile peace between their two states, at least for now. By Osama Al Sharif
Putin's critique of US peace plan gives Palestinians hope The Russian president's recent statements about the "deal of the century" have given Palestinians hope that Moscow will support the Palestinian cause and rights. By Adnan Abu Amer