All Middle East
鈥楪iving back is a universal form of faith.鈥� Can Tunisia revive unused trusts?In Tunisia, an ancient social welfare system of charitable trusts, underutilized for decades, could be a way to lighten the burden on a cash-strapped government.
First LookTurkey hands Khashoggi case over to Saudi Arabia, sparking outcryOn Thursday, a court in Turkey decided to transfer journalist Jamal Khashoggi鈥檚 murder case to Saudi Arabia for trial. Human rights groups warn the decision could result in a cover-up, given that 26 Saudi nationals are accused of the killing.聽
First LookThey speak for the trees: Cairo residents fight for green spaceGrand development projects in Cairo, including the construction of huge new highways, are coming at the expense of the desert city鈥檚 trees. Now, residents are pushing back against the government to protect their arboreal neighbors.
As Israel takes in Ukrainian Jews, some ask: Should it do more?How welcoming should a country be to refugees? In Israel, created as a refuge for Jews, the issue is existential, and is being tested by the Ukraine crisis.
First LookWhy the Taliban now preserve Buddha statues they once targetedWhen the Taliban first rose to power in Afghanistan two decades ago, they destroyed ancient Buddha statues in the central region. Now, in hopes of securing a Chinese mining contract, they鈥檙e preserving Buddha statues that sit atop a 2,000-year-old copper mine.聽
First LookBlinken tries to reassure Israel, Arab allies ahead of Iran nuke dealThe Biden administration is working to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, which placed curbs on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Israel is hosting four Arab nations in a summit.聽
First LookHow Qatar is rescuing falcons 鈥� and its ancient traditionQatar 鈥� the host nation of the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup 鈥� has聽become a rising futuristic hub with its oil wealth and global business. But one top-notch hospital in Doha is preserving a cherished ancient tradition: falconry and conservation.聽
For Jordan鈥檚 unemployed youth, a career opportunity: Local politicsA weak economy and lack of policy solutions have frustrated young unemployed Jordanians. Some with new skills have identified political office as a way forward.
First Look'They promised': Taliban rescind pledge, cancel girls' educationTaliban leaders in Afghanistan decided against allowing girls to attend school past Grade 6, an official said Wednesday even though leaders pledged to allow education for all earlier this week. The Taliban fears education for girls could alienate their rural base.
First LookSaudi Arabia repels missile and drone attacks by Yemen rebelsAramco's CEO said the multiple attacks on Saudi Arabia Sunday had no impact on oil supplies, although one refinery saw a temporary decline in production.
Bombed hospitals, crushed cities. What Syrians recognize in Ukraine.Ukraine鈥檚 resilience in the face of Russia鈥檚 military onslaught has been much noted. But veterans of the long conflict in Syria tell of聽 brutal Russian tactics that crush resilience.
First LookIran fires missiles into northern Iraq in retaliation attackIran says a missile attack Sunday that struck the northern Iraqi city of Irbil was retaliation for an Israeli strike in Syria that killed two members of its Revolutionary Guard.
First Look'City of culture': Lebanese actor finds new role restoring theatersActor and director聽Kassem Istanbouli is leading the effort to restore abandoned theaters in Lebanon and reimagine the country鈥檚 image against sectarian violence. His latest project, Cinema Empire, is the last of five historic cinemas in the once cinema-rich city of Tripoli.聽
First LookCan Israel succeed as mediator between Russia and Ukraine?Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett made a surprise trip to Moscow Saturday. Israel hopes to be a mediator in the Ukraine conflict by leveraging its ties to Russia and the United States.
鈥楩or me, this is personal.鈥� Some in Israel join Ukraine鈥檚 defense.The war in Ukraine is motivating Ukrainian-born Israelis to drop everything and join the fight. That others are volunteering speaks to the universal values at stake.
First LookWhy Gazans are rushing to brush up on their HebrewThe number of Gazans studying Hebrew has quadrupled in some places as Israel allows more Gazans to cross the border into Israel for work. The easing of restrictions is part of a larger effort to cool tensions after the Gaza war in May 2021.
First LookHow a Kuwait yoga retreat emerged as a flashpoint for women's rightsConservative politicians are pushing back against a feminist movement and what they see as an unraveling of Kuwait's traditional values amid chronic government dysfunction.
Aiding US on Afghanistan and Ukraine, tiny Qatar sees its star riseWith its record of diplomacy and help in solving problems, including Ukraine, the Gulf Arab state of Qatar won Joe Biden鈥檚 recognition as a key U.S. ally.
First LookBetween Gaza-Israel, Egypt tries to solidify itself as mediatorEgypt has quietly tried to negotiate a truce between Israel and the Hamas group for years, including contributing to a Gaza ceasefire last May. But the silent peacemaker has now gone public with its role in the region offering widespread assistance in rebuilding the territory.聽
For Arab Israelis left out of tech jobs, a new code: InclusionThe wild success of the Israeli tech sector has mostly excluded young Arab workers. New moves seek to correct that inequity, with benefits to all.
