All Middle East
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.
First LookProtests continue in Iran after hijab arrest results in deathProtests erupted in Iran after a young woman died in the custody of morality police, accused of wearing her hijab improperly. Women in Iran have since been seen displaying defiance of the regime鈥檚 increasingly violent treatment of young women.
First LookA farmer's shovel uncovers a rare ancient mosaic in GazaA Palestinian farmer discovered a rare and colorful mosaic that is being touted as one of Gaza鈥檚 greatest archaeological treasures. The discovery highlights the importance of protecting Gaza鈥檚 antiquities amid conflict with Israel, experts say.
Not gone, but forgotten? Syrian refugees struggle to move forward.An outpouring of generosity and compassion a decade ago created a refuge for Syrians fleeing civil war, offering them dignity and hope. What happens when the world鈥檚 focus moves on?
Water: Lessons in survival from a bone-dry landThere鈥檚 drought, and then there鈥檚 Jordan. Lacking water all the time 鈥 their country is the second-most water-poor in the world 鈥 Jordanians rely on resourcefulness to cope with a lack of resources.
