All Middle East
First LookTurkey's Erdo臒an wins reelection, beating close challengerWith almost all votes counted,聽Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdo臒an declared victory in a runoff election, extending his 20 years as president.
First LookTaliban waging war against women, rights groups say in call for actionReport by two human rights groups, including Amnesty, says Taliban treatment of women is gender-based persecution, a crime against humanity. Imprisonment, torture cited in call to international community to take legal action.
Why quakes that razed homes may raise up Turkey鈥檚 Erdo臒anExpectations that a weak response to earthquakes would cost the Turkish government votes proved false. Political preferences have become identities.
First LookTurkey鈥檚 runoff presidential election: Is democracy at stake?Two opposing visions for Turkey鈥檚 future are on the ballot when voters return to the polls Sunday for a runoff presidential election. The election will decide between an increasingly authoritarian incumbent and a pro-democracy challenger.
Cover StoryCan the oil industry help address climate change? Saudi Arabia says yes.The effort to abate climate change has a new player: Saudi Arabia. Yet some doubt the world鈥檚 second-largest oil producer will strike the right balance between current needs and future necessities.
Turkish opposition clings to election hopes against the oddsTurkish President Recep Tayyip聽Erdo臒an is well placed to win the second round of presidential elections, but his opponents are not giving up hope.
First LookDubai's lunar dream: A $5 billion leap to the skiesDubai鈥檚 $5 billion real estate project plans to build a 900-foot replica of the moon to elevate the city鈥檚 grandeur even further. Fueled by pandemic refugees and Russians escaping conflict, Dubai鈥檚 hot real estate market supports ambitious architecture.
Arab states see a path to progress through Syria. It could be bumpy.Fresh diplomacy in the Middle East is reforging Syria鈥檚 ties to the Arab world. Each has something the other wants. But will Damascus play ball?
鈥楽audi First鈥�: Why kingdom鈥檚 bailouts of allies now carry a price tagFor decades, Saudi Arabia served as Arab nations鈥� go-to destination for emergency bailouts. But as the kingdom moves toward a post-oil economy, it鈥檚 taking a more transactional approach to aid.
First LookPresident Erdo臒an leads Turkey鈥檚 election, headed into runoffTurkey鈥檚 presidential elections are heading for a runoff. President Recep Tayyip Erdo臒an, who has ruled his country with a firm grip for 20 years, holds a momentary lead over his challenger but has fallen short of outright securing a third decade.
First LookIsraeli cease-fire with Gaza militants appears to hold, despite tensionsWhile the cease-fire appeared to bring relief to Gaza鈥檚 people after days of bombing, the agreement did nothing to address the underlying issues that have fueled Israeli-Palestinian fighting over the years.
Will Erdo臒an survive Turkey election? Youth vote may hold key.Turkey鈥檚 first-time voters, 8% of the electorate, may decide Sunday鈥檚 elections, pitting strongman President Erdo臒an聽against a diverse coalition.
First LookGaza and Israel fire more rockets. Can Egypt broker peace?Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed a fourth militant commander, bringing the death toll to 25 in this latest round of fighting. Rocket attacks on southern Israel persist despite Egyptian efforts to broker a cease-fire, as West Bank tensions keep spiking.聽
First LookUnveiled and unbowed: Iranian women resist hijab lawMore women are choosing not to wear the mandatory hijab publicly in Iran. Such open defiance of the law follows months of protests over Mahsa Amini, a woman who died in the custody of the country鈥檚 morality police for wearing her hijab too loosely.
First LookSyria's admission back into Arab League exposes member divisionsAfter a 12-year suspension due to President Bashar al-Assad鈥檚 responsibility in the Syrian civil war, Syria has been readmitted to the Arab League. Some countries in the region remain skeptical about readmitting Damascus without solving ongoing conflicts.
Will Turkish elections lead to greater press freedom?Harsh restrictions on press freedom in Turkey have left independent media decimated. Many journalists hope the opposition will win upcoming elections.
Israel at 75: Can a divided nation reconcile its differences?For months, Israelis have protested proposed judicial reforms. But as events around Israel鈥檚 75th anniversary made clear, the divisions roiling its society are even more fundamental.
First LookSaudi Arabia and Syria: Historic thaw or a questionable alliance?Syrians on opposite sides of the battle lines have different views on the normalization of ties between Assad鈥檚 government and Syria鈥檚 neighbors. Government-held residents hope for economic relief, while those in opposition-held areas feel isolated.聽
First LookBattle rages on in Sudan as mass airlifts rescue foreign nationalsForeign governments are evacuating their citizens from Sudan amid a battle for power between two rival generals. While foreign evacuations continue, many Sudanese are risking their lives to escape the violence by driving to the border with Egypt.
鈥楴ot the same Bibi鈥�: Why Israel鈥檚 public has turned on NetanyahuJust over 100 days into his newest tenure as prime minister, questions are mounting about whether Benjamin Netanyahu can keep Israel united and secure, his extremist partners at bay, and his government intact.
