All Middle East
First LookIranian nuclear enrichment signals resistance to US sanctionsThe Atomic Energy Organization of Iran reopened a plant that converts yellowcake 鈥� an ingredient that can be used in nuclear power plants or atomic bombs 鈥� into gas, calling attention to the uncertain future of the country's international nuclear deal.聽
First LookSmall group of Syrian refugees in Lebanon head homeThe rare case of returns comes as Lebanese officials increasingly encourage refugees to return to areas where violence has decreased. More than 1 million Syrians live in Lebanon. UN officials and others, however, say it is still not safe for refugees to return to Syria.聽
First LookIran bans over 1,300 imports amid protests over its plunging currencyIran is preparing its economy to resist threatened US sanctions, slapping the聽import ban on 1,339 goods that could instead be produced within the country.聽
First LookSaudi Arabia鈥檚 'driving ban' is finally liftedAlthough most women still do not have driver's licenses, some say the June 24 lifting of the restriction is a foot-in-the-door toward increased women's rights across the country. Ultraconservatives, however, argue that women聽behind the wheel will lead to 'sin' and sexual harassment.聽
Turkey election: Does Kurdish leader jailed as 'terrorist' hold the key?Turkish President Erdo臒an has tried mightily to consolidate power, imprisoning foes as 'terrorists' in authoritarian fashion. But the democratic impulse in the country is still strong.
Vote-buying in Turkey? Price is high, satisfaction not guaranteed.A $5.5 billion social benefits package that likely will stress Turkey's economy is being interpreted as a sign that President Erdo臒an and his party could be in trouble in upcoming elections.
Islamist and feminist: A new generation stakes its claimCiting the Quran and demanding their rights, devout Muslim women are asserting their status as feminists. But they face opposition from some Islamist men and secular women.
First LookAfghans finish month-long march for peaceHundreds of Afghans marched across the country during the month of Ramadan to advocate for peace. The country has been at war for four decades, and Afghanistan's citizens are weary of violence, says marchers.聽
Turkey elections: why Erdo臒an and his party are suddenly vulnerablePerhaps it's inevitable that even the most popular strongman loses his appeal. President Erdo臒an chose early elections, but Turks are starting to signal they've had enough of one-man rule.
First LookSaudi-led forces attempt to push Yemeni militia out of portThe Yemeni exiled government launched an assault Wednesday to drive out the Iranian-aligned Shiite rebels. The fight could cause issues including potential shutdowns of the port, a crucial access point for food and supplies to civilians who are at risk of starvation.聽
First LookAmid growing poverty in Gaza, aid trickles inPalestinian political infighting, halted US aid, and high unemployment rates are taking a toll on聽the 2 million Palestinians trapped in Gaza, but support from charity and Muslim countries during the month of Ramadan is helping to feed the hungry.
First LookTurkish presidential candidate runs campaign from jailA prison cell is an unlikely campaign聽headquarters. Selahattin Demirtas, who claims he has been falsely聽imprisoned by Turkish President聽Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is running for president from prison with a promise to bring peace and democracy back to the nation.聽
The riddle of Hamas's new Gaza leader: extremist or pragmatist?In this second of two profiles of hard-line Israeli and Palestinian leaders, we look at Yahya Sinwar, the son of refugees, who emerged from 22 years in prison still committed to Israel's destruction.
First LookAfghanistan declares a cease-fire with Taliban for RamadanAs Ramadan approaches, Afghani President Ashraf Ghani has called for a week-long cease-fire with the Taliban, drawing wide support from the international community and NATO.聽
Israel's Naftali Bennett: Waiting in the (right) wingsMainstream leaders on both the Palestinian and Israeli sides of their national conflict at least pay lip service to the two-state solution. In this first of two profiles, we look at key hard-line leaders who do not.
Jordan's young protesters say they learned from Arab Spring mistakesSince the 2011 Arab Spring, activists in the region have struggled to find a sustainable model for pressuring their governments. In Jordan, protesters decry partisanship and say they've only just begun to fight.
First LookJordan's king appoints a new PM amid widespread unrest over tax hikesFollowing the Jordanian government's recent steep tax increases, citizens have rallied in some of the largest protests in years, triggering Prime Minister Hani Mulki's resignation. King聽Abdullah stepped in to select a new prime minister on Monday,聽in hopes of preserving Jordan's reputation of peace and stability in the Middle East.聽
First LookIsrael and Hamas agree to cease-fireEgyptian mediators stepped in to broker a cease-fire between Israel and militant groups in Gaza after a week of escalated tensions threatened to escalate into a full-blown conflict.聽
First LookEfforts to protect Afghan women are failing, UN reportsMore than 17 years after the Taliban was defeated, a process to protect women from violence still struggles to take hold, according to a new report from the United Nations. Afghanistan authorities largely rely on traditional mediation councils to resolve criminal cases against women.
First LookGaza escalates attacks, Israel responds with airstrikesThe rising military tensions between Israel and Gaza reached yet another peak Tuesday. Israeli Intelligence Minister Israel Katz says the country is "at the closest point to the threshold of war" since the seven-week conflict with Palestinian militants four years ago.
