All Middle East
First LookAfghanistan's neighbor Uzbekistan not opening doors to refugeesAs the Taliban take control of Afghanistan, thousands of Afghans are hoping to flee the country to avoid what they fear will be a return of a ruthless fundamentalist rule. But neighboring countries such as Uzbekistan are hesitant about welcoming refugees.聽
First LookDespite criticism, Biden stands by US pullout from AfghanistanOn Monday, following 鈥済ut-wrenching鈥� scenes at Kabul airport, U.S. President Joe Biden addressed the public. He expressed no second thoughts about聽sticking by the U.S. commitment to end America's longest war. Analysts, though, say it didn't need to end this way.聽聽
Cover StoryUnder Taliban rule, Afghans warn of going 鈥榖ack to the darkness鈥�During peace talks, Taliban leaders promised a softening of their hard-line stances. Those who have been living under their rule have not seen it.
First LookWesterners, Afghans rush to get out after Taliban takeoverFollowing the Taliban's rapid takeover, foreigners and locals are rushing to leave Afghanistan amid turmoil at the Kabul airport. Those remaining, especially women, worry about deteriorating human rights. 鈥淚t feels like our life and our future has ended,鈥澛爏ays one.
Iran鈥檚 nuclear program 鈥� and averting a Middle East war nobody wantsIran鈥檚 breakout point to make a nuclear weapon is estimated to be 10 weeks away. But as tensions rise, so do efforts to avert a conflict no one wants.
First LookUS sends 3,000 troops to begin partial evacuation from AfghanistanAs security deteriorates in Afghanistan, the U.S. announced Thursday that it will send 3,000 troops to Kabul to aid in a partial evacuation of the U.S. embassy.聽Officials reject the idea that the move sends encouraging signals to an already emboldened Taliban.聽
First LookAfghans huddle in Kabul parks as Taliban take another capitalOver 17,000 Afghans have fled their provincial homes and are taking refuge in Kabul, Afghanistan鈥檚 capital, as the Taliban offensive expands. On Thursday, the Taliban took a tenth provincial capital weeks before the formal end of the U.S. military's mission in the country.聽
The ExplainerWhat a hard-line Iranian president means for his country, and regionWill the shift in Iran from a moderate to a hard-liner as president create tensions with the West? In nuclear talks, it may create an opening.
Profile in courage: He defied the advancing Taliban, and paid with his lifeAs Taliban insurgents sweep across Afghanistan, the assassination of a defiant district governor is a case study in loss, but also courage.
First LookTaliban captures much of Kunduz, official says, as surge intensifiesKunduz, a provincial capital, is a strategic crossroads with access to the north and Afghanistan's capital, Kabul.聽Several provincial capitals have been threatened as Taliban fighters sweep through the country while聽U.S. and NATO troops wrap up their withdrawal.聽
First LookTaliban enter Afghan provincial capital, lawmaker says, continuing sweepTaliban fighters have captured large swathes of Afghanistan as the last U.S. and NATO troops leave the country. In recent weeks they have laid siege to several provincial capitals.聽
First LookFighting for control: Taliban kill Afghanistan's media directorOn Friday, the Taliban assassinated the Afghan government鈥檚 press director,聽Dawa Khan Menapal, while he was riding in his car through the country鈥檚 capital. The move comes as the Taliban continues territorial expansion with rapid speed as the U.S. and NATO exit.聽
First LookContinuing hostility to West, Iran swears in hard-line presidentOn Thursday, Iran swore in a new president: Ebrahim聽Raisi, former judiciary chief and prot茅g茅 of Iran鈥檚 supreme leader. In his speech, Mr. Raisi stressed his aim to lift U.S. sanctions, repair rifts with neighboring countries, and ease a mounting economic crisis.聽
Year after Beirut blast, Lebanese civilians create a futureIf the Beirut port blast exemplified government ineptitude, the energized civil society that has led the rebuilding effort has showcased resilience.
First LookWhy Iran's new social media bill may threaten livelihoodsIranian lawmakers agreed to discuss a bill that would restrict social media apps. Many fear the bill will disrupt communication and hurt entrepreneurs in Iran, where an estimated 1 million people use social media to run their businesses.
First LookThe Taliban have sieged much of south Afghanistan. Now what?The Taliban is close to seizing control of the first provincial capital as it expands its presence in the wake of the U.S. and NATO withdrawal. World leaders have urged the Taliban against a military takeover of Afghanistan.聽聽
鈥楥oup鈥� in Tunisia: Why Arab Spring鈥檚 last light is dimmingIn Tunisia, a presidential power grab that seized on deadlock and pandemic pressures is winning support among a public increasingly down on democracy.
Why a Taliban victory may not be everything Pakistan wished forPakistan鈥檚 heavy investment in the Taliban helped lead them toward a sweeping victory in Afghanistan. Why that鈥檚 giving Pakistan second thoughts.
First LookPower grab or public wish? Tunisian president suspends parliament.Over the weekend, Tunisian protesters,聽angry about pandemic and economic conditions, demanded the dissolution of the country鈥檚 parliament. In response, President Kais Saied fired the prime minister, which critics worry may mark a descent into authoritarianism.
First LookPolitical scoop: Ben&Jerry's pulls out of West BankOn Monday, Ben & Jerry鈥檚 announced that it will stop selling its ice cream in Israeli-occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. The Israeli settlements are widely seen by the international community as illegal and obstacles to peace.聽
