Waves of displacement continue amid Idlib escalation Idlib residents continue to flee toward the border with Turkey as Syrian regime forces, backed by Russian airstrikes, advance on the country’s last opposition stronghold. By Mohammed al-Khatieb
US-led mediation may resolve Ethiopia, Egypt, Sudan dam dispute Technical and legal experts continue to consult to draft a comprehensive agreement on the filling and operation of the Renaissance Dam, but internal pressure remains a major challenge in Ethiopia that may hinder the settlement of many controversial issues. By Ayah Aman In Cairo, reporting on politics and culture
What's in store for Palestinian-Jordanian ties as US rolls out peace plan? While Jordan and Palestine are supporting each other in their rejection of US President Donald Trump’s peace plan, it remains to be seen what the future holds if Washington ups the pressure on Amman. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
How Saudi Arabian farmers are trying to preserve traditional coffee production Climate change, water shortages and newcomers are challenging the traditional coffee culture in Saudi Arabia, which has the 10th largest per capita consumption in the world. By Joseph Hammond
'There's no mercy': Kurdish Red Crescent perseveres in northern Syria Heyva Sor a Kurdistane, the Kurdish Red Crescent, has been doggedly rescuing the wounded and attending to the sick in northeastern Syria since 2012. By Marta Bellingreri (Syria Pulse)
SDF benefits from letting IS prisoners go, capturing more The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are said to be releasing Islamic State prisoners in Raqqa through mediation with Arab tribes, raising concerns among locals about a resurgence of the group. By Khaled al-Khateb
Is the time ripe for US-Egyptian free trade agreement? Egypt will start its negotiations with the United States next year for signing a bilateral free trade agreement as several international financial institutions praised its economic reform. By Ahmed Youness
Intel: Why Russia went on counteroffensive against US criticism over Idlib The Russian Foreign Ministry announced the killing of “several Russian and Turkish military specialists” in the Idlid de-escalation zone. By Maxim A. Suchkov
Key nuclear watchdog reassures Washington it can still monitor Iran as deal unravels The International Atomic Energy Agency chief is making the rounds in Washington this week to stress that his agency can still monitor Iran’s nuclear program as the nuclear deal unravels. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
Europe worries as Trump seems to lose interest in new Iran deal Europeans with embassies on the ground disagree with the belief by Donald Trump administration officials that the Iranian regime is on the brink of collapse, and that the administration can wait for Iran to surrender to a long US wish list. By Laura Rozen
Is West Bank, Gaza unrest a prelude of things to come? Attacks on Israeli security forces in the West Bank and Jerusalem after the release of President Donald Trump's peace plan have led security officials to view a recent escalation on the Gaza border in a new light. By Shlomi Eldar
Tough talk plays well, but Netanyahu can't afford actual fighting Diplomacy and security are Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strongest suits, but escalation right before the election could hurt him. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Is France irked by Erdogan’s passion for Africa? Erdogan’s efforts to boost Turkey’s economic role in Africa have been marked by outbursts maligning France’s colonial past, but there is more to Turkey’s Africa opening that fuels the bilateral spats. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
Erbil court acquits pro-polygamy cleric despite women's protests An Erbil court acquitted a Kurdish cleric who called Kurdish women "dinosaurs." By Dana Taib Menmy
Khamenei calls on Iranians to participate in parliamentary vote Iran's supreme leader urged the people of Iran to vote in the upcoming parliamentary election out of duty to their nation as President Hassan Rouhani warned about the concentration of power in the country. By Al-Monitor Staff
Three die after Turkish plane skids off runway A fatal crash during poor weather at an Istanbul airport comes on the heels of other recent disasters, including an avalanche and earthquake, raising fears about safety in Turkey. By Ayla Jean Yackley