Hamas sets some demands for elections, concedes others Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas are moving closer to agreeing on election stipulations, but some conditions must still be addressed. By Ahmad Melhem In Ramallah, reporting on politics
Queen of Lebanese hip-hop raps on revolution Veteran Middle Eastern hip-hop artist Malikah's new release at the height of the Lebanese protests marks a shift in her music and views on Lebanon. By Sam Brennan
Reduction in Iran's gasoline subsidy sparks anti-government protests President Hassan Rouhani’s announcement of a large reduction in the gasoline subsidy sparked protests across a number of cities, with deaths having been reported. By Al-Monitor Staff
Anti-Iran advocacy group FDD registers to lobby The hawkish Foundation for Defense of Democracies, an influential Washington think tank, has registered to lobby US lawmakers. By Aaron Schaffer
Congress moves to sanction Russians for mercenary surge in Libya The US National Security Council has begun a review of US policy involving Libya as a congressional bill seeks to sanction Russian mercenaries who have undertaken operations in the war-torn North African country. By Jack Detsch
Dubai's aviation boom in question as airshow kicks off The profitability of UAE airlines is on the decline as Dubai Airshow 2019 kicks off. By Peter Shaw-Smith
Against odds, Netanyahu revives his fortunes The Israeli prime minister takes out a terrorist foe, puts Iran’s Soleimani on notice and effectively sinks rival’s chances to form a new government — not a bad week. By Week in Review
Netanyahu’s 'divide and rule' policy against Palestinians Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues with the same approach of ignoring the Palestinian Authority and destabilizing it through contacts with Hamas. By Akiva Eldar
Lebanese photographers put protests under camera lens An exhibition held at the center of the protests in Beirut has introduced photography to the streets and has challenged artists to adapt to the revolutionary moment. By Sam Brennan
Turkey’s fight against IS riddled with black holes Ankara may boast about how many Islamic State members it has captured, but its handling of IS suspects on the ground, especially in deportation centers, speaks of a slipshod attitude to the problem. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
Gaza attacks widen gap between Israel's Arab parties, Gantz in coalition talks The Israeli assassination of an Islamic Jihad leader and the killing of 32 Palestinians, including women and children, has ended any possibility of engagement by the Arab Joint List with Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Egypt conducts joint drills with Greece, Cyprus amid Turkey tensions The naval forces of Egypt, Greece and Cyprus conducted joint military exercises in the Mediterranean amid tensions with Turkey over its drilling activities in the area. By Menna A. Farouk
IS kills priests in Syria as Turkish-backed fighters express IS sympathies Two Armenian Catholic priests are killed by the Islamic State near Hasakah and pro-Turkish Syrian fighters are reported to have hoisted the Islamic State flag in Ras al-Ain. By Lamar Erkendi
Did Turkey backstab Syrian opposition's National Army? Turkey's catch-and-release handling of 18 regime fighters captured by the Syrian opposition shocked many opposition forces. By Khaled al-Khateb
Probe claims State Department sidelined Iran expert in politicized smear campaign The State Department's Office of the Inspector General finds that “improper considerations played a role" in the removal of a career employee's assignment to the department's policy planning office. By Laura Rozen