All Middle East
Why Netanyahu has not reined in surging West Bank settler violenceIn Israeli descriptions of settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, use of the term 鈥淛ewish terrorism鈥� has been rising. A plurality of Israelis say the attackers have been handled too leniently. But the settlers have strong allies in the government.
As joyful Syrians celebrate Liberation Day, their glass is half fullOne year after rebel forces overthrew a dictatorship and ended a long and costly civil war, Syria still faces many challenges. But hopes for the future, and gratitude for newfound freedoms, fueled a day of joyful celebrations.
First LookNetanyahu says second phase of Gaza ceasefire soon to beginIsrael and Hamas could begin the next phase of the ceasefire as soon as the end of the month, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a news conference.聽
To project power, and disarm Hezbollah, Lebanese state needs guns and butterThe government in Beirut has committed itself to disarming Hezbollah and exercising a monopoly over the use of force in Lebanon. But political and economic reforms that curtail the power of corrupt, sectarian elites are no less vital to its success.
As Israel keeps striking, Lebanese grapple with a ceasefire that isn鈥檛A year after an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, the Lebanese people are still caught in the middle. The ceasefire requires Hezbollah to disarm and Israel to withdraw. Neither has happened, even as Beirut works to fulfill its part of the bargain.
Will Trump鈥檚 Gaza peace plan disarm Hamas?President Trump鈥檚 Gaza peace plan requires Hamas to lay down its arms. The militant Islamic group is refusing to do so. Can the peace process survive?
In reshuffle of Middle East alliances, Trump looks beyond IsraelDonald Trump is moving to reshuffle U.S. Middle East alliances, giving pride of place to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, not Israel.
Backlash over Gaza war hits parts of Israel鈥檚 economy. Will it last?Despite Israel鈥檚 war in Gaza, its economy grew, due mostly to its strong tech sector. But calls to boycott Israel over the conduct of the war appear to have hit some exports. Will that rage subside if the ceasefire holds?
In Gaza, a music teacher sings above the din of warGazan music teacher Ahmed Abu Amsha uses melodies both to help his students forget the war around them, and to memorialize the conflict.
Israel鈥檚 heavy-handed raids, arrests in Syria dim hopes for new eraThe ouster last year of President Bashar al-Assad raised hopes of a diplomatic reset with Israel, whom many on Syria鈥檚 Golan Heights saw as a pragmatic neighbor. Instead, they鈥檝e faced mysterious Israeli detentions and expanded occupation.
To navigate Gaza peace process, Hamas seeks help from former rivalsAs Hamas maneuvers in advance of post-war governance arrangements in Gaza, the Islamist group is seeking common ground with former rivals.
An international force in Gaza? Israelis struggle with outsourcing security.Israel has long prided itself on 鈥済oing it alone鈥� in a region largely hostile to its existence. But as nations seek an international force to preserve the fragile Gaza ceasefire, Israelis are grappling with the notion of trusting their security to others.
As violations rock Gaza ceasefire, Hamas鈥� control of territory is thinViolations of Gaza's ceasefire highlight challenges facing Hamas until a new Palestinian administration is formed and a security force is deployed.
Iran quietly backs Gaza truce amid bid to hand off regional bad-guy imageIran quietly voiced support for the Trump ceasefire plan in Gaza, based on its ally Hamas鈥� acceptance of the deal. Analysts say Tehran is trying to change the narrative about its regional posture, painting Israel as the real threat.
New government in Syria means a new curriculum in schools: What changedSyria鈥檚 new school year, the first since the fall of the Assad regime, has a revised look at history and increased emphasis on religion. As one teacher notes, a curriculum is more than lessons; it shows how a nation understands itself.
For Israelis, a legacy of the war in Gaza is international ostracismIndividual Israelis and professional organizations are feeling increasingly isolated globally as the world focuses on Palestinian suffering in Gaza. But do boycotts of academic and artistic institutions further the cause of peace?
First LookIsrael halts aid into Gaza 鈥榰ntil further notice鈥� as ceasefire faces major testIsrael has launched a new wave of strikes into Gaza and said that aid to the territory will be halted following an alleged Hamas ceasefire violation. Hamas denied responsibility.
On Gaza鈥檚 streets, Hamas wages violent fight to reassert controlAfter two years underground, Hamas is demonstrating its control over Gaza by cracking down on rival militias and gangs.
Does Turkey hold the key to peace in the Middle East?The next stage of the Trump peace plan for Gaza requires Hamas to pass security responsibility to an international force. Will Turkey take the role?
鈥楥losing a circle of sadness鈥�: Euphoric homecomings in Israel and GazaThe long-awaited day that saw the return of surviving Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners gave an early indication of the tough challenges awaiting Donald Trump鈥檚 Gaza plan. On a whirlwind trip to Israel, the U.S. president said the time for peace is now.
