Rouhani says Iran won't scrap nuclear deal, defends breaches President Hassan Rouhani says staying in the nuclear deal will benefit his country while defending Iran's latest rollback of commitments, which European signatories are "extremely concerned" about. By Al-Monitor Staff
Where are the other IPOs in the Mideast? The Middle East needs to grow companies that do not depend on the state as a key investor. By Karen Young In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy
Intel: What Russia’s defense minister is up to in Egypt Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is leading a military delegation to Egypt for the sixth session of the two countries' joint commission on defense cooperation. By Maxim A. Suchkov
Turkish Central Bank suffers big credibility loss The Turkish Central Bank’s obedience to the government, both in terms of monetary policy and interventions in the foreign exchange market, is badly damaging its credibility among foreign investors, the ultimate cost of which will be borne by the crisis-hit economy. By Mustafa Sonmez In Istanbul, reporting on economics
Eastern Syria fighters accused of brutality after videos emerge The commander of Ahrar al-Sharqiya, an armed faction whose fighters have been accused of extrajudicial killings, spoke to Al-Monitor about his militants' relationship to the eastern Deir ez-Zor region. By Shelly Kittleson
Fourth Cabinet reshuffle raises questions about economic reforms in Jordan Jordan’s prime minister conducted a Cabinet reshuffle for the fourth time since ascending to power to advance economic reforms required by a loan deal with the International Monetary Fund. By Osama Al Sharif
Egypt boosts ties with Syria In response to Turkey’s Operation Peace Spring in northern Syria, the Egyptian parliament hosted Syrian Ambassador to Egypt Bassam Darwish in a move to show its official support for Syria against Turkey, and as a prelude to better diplomatic relations. By George Mikhail
IDF says it had no choice but to kill Islamic Jihad senior The Israeli military operation to kill Islamic Jihad commander Bahaa Abu al-Atta was planned months in advance, after a series of rockets were fired toward Israel, including on Ashdod while Prime Minister Benjamin was delivering a speech there. By Shlomi Eldar
Is Iran trying to hijack Iraqi protesters’ demands? Political parties in Baghdad that are close to Iran may be trying to use Iraqis' ongoing protests as an excuse to change the parliamentary system to a presidential one — something the protesters have never asked for. By Omar Sattar
Israel’s Gaza policy: a recipe for escalation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is heading a caretaker government that shouldn’t last long, yet he authorized a complicated operation that generated a barrage of Gaza rockets. By Akiva Eldar
Europe seeks diplomatic next steps on Iran Warning about the resumption of enrichment at Iran’s underground Fordow facility, Europeans look for a diplomatic path that could get the United States and Iran back to the table, and keep the deal alive through 2020 US elections. By Laura Rozen
Ancient Kurdish festival offers taste of enduring love, mysticism Mythology, mysticism and tributes to love dominate the Pir-Shalyar wedding festival in a rocky Kurdish village in western Iran. By Sarbas Nazari
Democrats fight Trump stonewall over Lebanon military aid freeze Democratic leaders are pushing the White House for answers over its hold on $105 million in foreign military aid to Lebanon after the US administration refused to respond to questions about the decision from Congress. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
Iran debates end of confession broadcasts An outspoken Iranian lawmaker is pushing legislation that would abolish the state broadcaster's controversial tradition of airing forced confessions. By Sarbas Nazari
Iran’s Rouhani shows spark of old self against hard-liners Now that the Iranian president is out from under the pressure of his brother’s corruption trial, he appears to be returning to the outspoken moderate-reformist views that got him reelected. By Rohollah Faghihi
Russia chides Turkey over Idlib — again Russia's foreign minister has demanded Turkey end tensions in Syria's Idlib, indicating Russia will continue to use Idlib as a pressure point to keep Ankara in line. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture