All Middle East
Amid swirl of violence, Palestinians wonder: Where are their leaders?As Palestinians see deaths mount in an especially violent year, their leadership appears absent, even as it curtails the people鈥檚 freedom to seek an alternative government.
First LookAncient strikers: Falconry still has grip on World Cup host QatarIn a country now know for oil riches, international business, and glittering skyscrapers, a history of falconry stands out even amid World Cup hype. At a market in Doha, Qatar, falconers flaunt their prized birds to locals and droves of soccer fans alike.聽
First LookWalled defense: Archeologists in Iraq use mudbricks to slow erosionIn Iraq鈥檚 ancient Babylon, climate change has led to salty groundwater that is corroding some of humanity鈥檚 oldest monuments. Archeologists are using low-salt mudbricks made by a local artisan to preserve sites once considered one of the world鈥檚 wonders.
As Egypt hosts COP27, human rights advocates seize their opportunityEgyptians backed military rule in return for stability and prosperity. Years later the new Egypt offers mostly hardship, and repression of dissent is widespread.
Cover Story鈥榃omen, life, freedom.鈥� Inside the protests shocking Iran.As Iranian protesters get sent to prison, many say it鈥檚 only steeled their resolve to take to the streets again.
First LookIranian protesters target shops with three-day strikeCalls for a national strike to not buy or sell anything are surfacing in Iran. The protests against the death of Mahsa Aminihave at the hands of morality police have led to聽15,820 arrests so far. One anti-government protester has been sentenced to death.
First LookIstanbul bombing: Turkey swift to accuse Kurdish militantsA major terrorist attack in Turkey on Sunday killed 6 people and injured more than 80. Turkish officials have detained a woman,聽with suspected ties to Syrian Kurdish militant groups, who claims she planted the bomb.
For Israel鈥檚 hard-right alliance, how high a priority is democracy?To return to power, Benjamin Netanyahu embraced the invective of his ultranationalist allies. At stake now are issues central to Israel鈥檚 democracy: minority rights, security laws, and an independent judiciary.
First LookBeneath the sands of time, a new 海角大神 discovery in Middle EastA 海角大神 monastery that possibly pre-dates the spread of Islam has been discovered on an island off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. It鈥檚 鈥渁 story that deserves to be told,鈥� said聽Timothy Power, an associate professor of archaeology.
First LookBuoyed by rise of Israeli hard right, Netanyahu heads back to powerIn its fifth election in four years, Israel appears poised to elect former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He鈥檒l be joined by members of the far-right Religious Zionism party, cementing the country鈥檚 most right wing government in history.
First LookQatar preps for World Cup, regional respect for women's soccer lagsIn the soccer-obsessed Middle East, women鈥檚 teams have been held back by lack of financing and conservative attitudes. Momentum across the region is uneven but active government participation is聽growing and shifting public attitudes.
As Israel votes (again), Arab union cracks and Jewish right unitesCooperation is key to political success, yet alliances can be fragile. In Israel鈥檚 fifth election in four years, one successful partnership crumbles even as an anti-democratic union rises.
In the Lion鈥檚 Den: What a new militia offers young PalestiniansA new generation of youth-led, nonpartisan militias is tapping into the frustrations of young Palestinians cut out of politics and pressured by Israeli settlers and the military.
Iran鈥檚 women on freedom: 鈥楾his cause won鈥檛 die鈥�Iranian women, in a month of protests, are demanding their rights and leading a fight against the religious government's brutally intrusive rules.
Saudi entrepreneurs turn backs on job-for-life traditionThe Saudi government, building the foundations of a post-oil economy, is encouraging startup entrepreneurs, breaking with a job-for- life tradition.
First LookIsrael, Lebanon draft historic agreement over maritime borderIn a U.S.-brokered deal, Israel said it reached a historic agreement with neighboring Lebanon over a long disputed border on the Mediterranean Sea. The agreement, still to be confirmed, would allow Lebanon to exploit undersea gas resources.
First Look'This rioting was planned': Iran's supreme leader faults USIran鈥檚 supreme leader聽Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has broken his silence on the protests entering their third week in Iran over the death of a young woman at the hands of the morality police. He said the US and Israel are to blame for the unrest.聽
Facing new hardships, Lebanese weigh safety vs. 鈥榣iving this life鈥�What happens when the needs for dignity and safety collide? As Lebanon crumbles, individuals are taking greater risks, invading banks and fleeing on boats; 100 died last week.
First Look'Bonfires with veils': Protests in Iran renew history of defianceWomen protesting the death of Mahsa Amini are targeting the compulsory veil 鈥� something central to the identity of Iran鈥檚 Islamic cleric-led rule. The protests are drawing on a long tradition of resistance among Iranian women.
鈥楾his girl has united us all鈥�: Women鈥檚 rage mobilizes Iranians锘�Women and their freedoms are the catalyst for widespread demonstrations in Iran demanding reforms 鈥� even, as some protesters are saying, the toppling of the Islamic Republic.
