All Middle East
First LookIranian protests intensify amid blackout and crackdownTehran warned demonstrators could face death-penalty charges, while President Donald Trump said the U.S. 鈥渟tands ready to help鈥� protesters.
Dissent at home, threats from abroad. Iran faces 鈥榳ar on two fronts.鈥�Iran鈥檚 leaders are juggling chronic economic malaise 鈥� caused by years of mismanagement, corruption, and U.S.-led sanctions 鈥� with a growing expectation of military conflict with Israel or, following President Donald Trump鈥檚 threats, the United States.
In Israel and Iran, officials talk of war. How does that suit their interests?Israel鈥檚 and Iran鈥檚 defenses are still vulnerable after the June war, so why is their leaders鈥� rhetoric so bellicose? The rationale for renewed hostilities still exists, but both governments also have an interest in deflecting dissent.
Across the Middle East, a focus on home, healing, and restored hopeTaylor Luck, the Monitor鈥檚 Arab world correspondent, has a broad assignment, covering his beat with a close eye on and attentive ear to the events, thoughts, and moods prevalent in the region. He has been an integral part of our coverage of the war in Gaza 鈥� which, as he notes, takes a toll on the journalists involved 鈥� and of the new Syria unfolding before his eyes. His wide travels in the region this year are convincing him that there is cause for hope this season, welcome news for sure.
Discovering God in Hamas tunnels, hostages led a national trendThe long ordeal of hostages held in Hamas tunnels since Oct. 7 has led to a rise in religious belief among Jewish Israelis. One hostage notes: 鈥淕od will always listen. He does not get tired.鈥�
In Lebanon, Hezbollah鈥檚 true believers are battered, yes, but unbowedHezbollah has been weakened by Israel and is under pressure to disarm. But its Shiite supporters express pride in their sacrifice and look forward to revenge. And for the militia, says one analyst, keeping its arms is 鈥渆xistential.鈥�
Gaza families wait ... and wait for answers about missing loved onesGaza families search for their missing family members, trusting that clues such as scraps of clothing and rumors will be the key to unlock the mystery
Attack on US forces in Syria tests anti-ISIS mission and warming tiesSyria鈥檚 need to rapidly reconstitute its security forces has left them vulnerable to infiltration by former rebels with jihadist sympathies at the very time that President Ahmed al-Sharaa has been cultivating ties with the U.S.
鈥楩inding a window of hope鈥�: Lebanon鈥檚 community holds strong amid ceasefireDuring the war between Israel and Hezbollah, Lebanese people crossed sectarian lines to offer one another food and shelter. A year after a shaky ceasefire took hold, how is that community spirit enduring?
Why Netanyahu has not reined in surging West Bank settler violenceIn Israeli descriptions of settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, use of the term 鈥淛ewish terrorism鈥� has been rising. A plurality of Israelis say the attackers have been handled too leniently. But the settlers have strong allies in the government.
As joyful Syrians celebrate Liberation Day, their glass is half fullOne year after rebel forces overthrew a dictatorship and ended a long and costly civil war, Syria still faces many challenges. But hopes for the future, and gratitude for newfound freedoms, fueled a day of joyful celebrations.
First LookNetanyahu says second phase of Gaza ceasefire soon to beginIsrael and Hamas could begin the next phase of the ceasefire as soon as the end of the month, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a news conference.聽
To project power, and disarm Hezbollah, Lebanese state needs guns and butterThe government in Beirut has committed itself to disarming Hezbollah and exercising a monopoly over the use of force in Lebanon. But political and economic reforms that curtail the power of corrupt, sectarian elites are no less vital to its success.
As Israel keeps striking, Lebanese grapple with a ceasefire that isn鈥檛A year after an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, the Lebanese people are still caught in the middle. The ceasefire requires Hezbollah to disarm and Israel to withdraw. Neither has happened, even as Beirut works to fulfill its part of the bargain.
Will Trump鈥檚 Gaza peace plan disarm Hamas?President Trump鈥檚 Gaza peace plan requires Hamas to lay down its arms. The militant Islamic group is refusing to do so. Can the peace process survive?
In reshuffle of Middle East alliances, Trump looks beyond IsraelDonald Trump is moving to reshuffle U.S. Middle East alliances, giving pride of place to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, not Israel.
Backlash over Gaza war hits parts of Israel鈥檚 economy. Will it last?Despite Israel鈥檚 war in Gaza, its economy grew, due mostly to its strong tech sector. But calls to boycott Israel over the conduct of the war appear to have hit some exports. Will that rage subside if the ceasefire holds?
In Gaza, a music teacher sings above the din of warGazan music teacher Ahmed Abu Amsha uses melodies both to help his students forget the war around them, and to memorialize the conflict.
Israel鈥檚 heavy-handed raids, arrests in Syria dim hopes for new eraThe ouster last year of President Bashar al-Assad raised hopes of a diplomatic reset with Israel, whom many on Syria鈥檚 Golan Heights saw as a pragmatic neighbor. Instead, they鈥檝e faced mysterious Israeli detentions and expanded occupation.
To navigate Gaza peace process, Hamas seeks help from former rivalsAs Hamas maneuvers in advance of post-war governance arrangements in Gaza, the Islamist group is seeking common ground with former rivals.
