All Middle East
Saudis pivot from seeking peace with Israel to trying to contain warSaudi Arabia, which has been prioritizing prosperity and progress, is seeking聽to de-escalate the intensifying Israel-Hamas war. It is willing to talk to all sides, but how much leverage does it have?
First LookWhy did the impact of Afghanistan quake have a 鈥榞ender dimension鈥�?Afghan women and children were disproportionately killed by the earthquake across Herat province this last weekend because they were more likely to be at home when buildings fell. Many are now concerned about who will raise the children left without mothers.
Cover StorySyria鈥檚 Arab Spring lives on in hearts 鈥� and courtsSyrians and their allies around the world are working to hold the Assad regime accountable.
Like 9/11, will Hamas attack mean wider Mideast conflict?The political aftershocks of the Hamas attack on Israel will reverberate far beyond the Gaza Strip, possibly provoking a regional conflagration.
鈥楨ven in our worst nightmare.鈥� Hamas attack collapses Israelis鈥� worldview.The Hamas attack is forcing a paradigm shift for Israelis, whose faith in their government and army was profoundly undermined. Yet in their shared trauma, they are putting aside recent differences.
In Gaza, a different view of the Hamas raid on IsraelMost Palestinians seem to support the rampage in which Hamas shooters killed over 1,000 Israelis because they are frustrated by strict limits on their freedom.
First LookAfghans still hope to find survivors following massive earthquakeAfghans continue to dig through the rubble to look for survivors in the aftermath of one of the region鈥檚 deadliest earthquakes that killed at least 2,000.聽Global response has been slow as much of the world is wary of dealing with the Taliban-led government.
First LookIsrael imposes 鈥榗omplete siege鈥� of Gaza; Hamas threatens executionsAs the Israeli military brought additional forces near the Gaza border, a major question was whether it will launch a ground assault into the densely populated territory. The death toll mounted on both sides.
First LookIsrael declares war, promises 鈥榮teps鈥� in retaliation for attack by HamasThe declaration on Sunday portended greater fighting ahead as the toll from Hamas鈥檚 unprecedented incursion out of Gaza passed 1,100 dead and thousands wounded on both sides.
First LookHamas rockets and deadly incursion shock Israel. Sides talk of 鈥榳ar.鈥�In an early morning attack, Hamas militants broke out of the blockaded Gaza Strip and into Israeli towns as far as 15 miles away, killing hundreds and abducting others in the deadliest attack in Israel in decades. Israel launched airstrikes in Gaza, vowing to inflict an 鈥渦nprecedented price.鈥�
After Beirut blast, community brings historic photo studio back to lifeIf the 2020 Beirut port blast symbolized government neglect, the local community鈥檚 rebirth has been a story of cooperation and generosity. One beneficiary: a tiny photo studio, with images of a bygone era.
First LookTurkey strikes Kurdish targets in Iraq after Ankara suicide bombingTurkish warplanes attacked suspected Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq on Sunday, just hours after Turkey鈥檚 capital was struck by a suicide attack on a government building. Kurdish separatists have waged a violent struggle against Turkey for decades.
Tunisian beekeepers battle extreme heat to keep the buzz aliveSearing heat, wildfires, and drought all present worsening challenges for Tunisia鈥檚 agricultural sector. For keepers of the nation鈥檚 precious bees, increased resourcefulness is required.
How Lebanese people survive the 鈥榥ormalization of misery鈥�The resolve and optimism of Lebanon鈥檚 2019 鈥渞evolution鈥� have given way to a grim struggle to survive, modestly bolstered by handouts of aid. Facing social inequities and nonresponsive elites, how do people manage?
First LookPreventable flood? Experts in Libya warned of dam collapse for years.Despite Libya鈥檚 oil wealth, the country鈥檚 infrastructure has largely been ignored because of political chaos and corruption. Experts had warned of the dams near Derna for years, but no action was taken, resulting in the deaths of more than 11,000 residents.
鈥業s there any bread left?鈥� The answer in Tunisia is often no.An economic crisis has left Tunisians scrambling for bread. With the government unable to pay for imported wheat, what is needed, economists say, is for the populist president to find the courage to enact reforms.
At oldest Palestinian camp in Lebanon, violence adds to strugglesAn eruption of violence has brought into sharp focus the plight of Lebanon鈥檚 Palestinians, who for decades have lived in crowded camps. Yet individuals strive to maintain dignity and hope.
Floods, fires, failure: North Africa鈥檚 climate and governance crisesLibya鈥檚 divided government struggles to respond in the aftermath of unprecedented floods that have left thousands dead and even more missing.
Can Saudi-Israel peace talks learn lessons from the past?Thirty years after the ill-fated Oslo Middle East peace deal was signed, a new generation of negotiators should recall that political leadership is key.
Historic struggle over democracy lands in Israel鈥檚 Supreme CourtThe balance of power between Israel鈥檚 judicial and legislative branches is now before the very Supreme Court whose authority the government is seeking to curtail, with arguments invoking the country鈥檚 core democratic values.
