All Middle East
The rabbi and the rapper: what they see in old Ladino love songsThe musical duo 'Los Serenos聽Sefarad' sing and rap in Ladino, an old Spanish dialect. The centuries-old love songs in their repertoire, they say, tell more about Jews' painful expulsion from Spain than they do about romantic love.
First LookUnited Nations exhorts Israel to reconsider forcible return of African migrantsLast week Israel gave Eritrean and Sudanese migrants an ultimatum: leave or face imprisonment. Israel has offered to pay thousands of African migrants living illegally in the country to leave, prompting the UN to urge resettlement in other countries. 聽
First LookDays of protest and unrest in Iran lead to 3,700 arrestsIn two weeks, Iran's protests against high unemployment and official corruption have embroiled dozens of towns and cities in unrest. The turmoil has resulted in 21 deaths and some 3,700 arrests, says an Iranian reformist lawmaker.
In Iran鈥檚 surprise uprising of the poor, dents to revolution鈥檚 legitimacyIran's recent violent protests surged among the nation's poor, presumed bedrock supporters of the regime, who have been angered by recent crass displays of wealth by the elite and other perceived inequities. Even the opposition intelligentsia was surprised.
First LookUS-Pakistan tensions rise as Trump administration halts security assistanceThe US State Department has stopped security assistance, including reimbursement for counterterrorism operations, for Pakistan saying the nation isn't doing enough to eradicate terrorism in the region.
First LookPro-government demonstrations seek to bring calm after unrest in IranThe past week's protests have been the largest in Iran since the disputed 2009 presidential election. Iranians聽echo the protesters' frustration over the weak economy and official corruption.
What has brought Iranians into the streets? In a word, the economy.In the outpouring of anger by thousands of Iranian protesters, people have died and the country's foreign policy and top leaders have been denounced. But the driving factor is the economy above all, say analysts.
How Morocco has weakened its press, pushing readers to social media for newsRelaxed speech laws have not stopped some arms of the government, in the name of security, from clamping down on journalists. Their resulting self-censorship has further eroded trust in the media, pushing news-hungry Moroccans to look elsewhere.
First LookTrump tweet triggers diplomacy meetings in PakistanIn a New Year's Day tweet President Trump accused Pakistan of harboring terrorists and declared an end to US aid.聽
First LookSyrian opposition rejects Russia's proposed peace talksRebel groups, including Ahrar al-Sham and Army of Islam, said they are committed to the UN-led Geneva process, now in its seventh year.
First LookSyrian government allows critically ill to evacuate besieged suburbThe Army of Islam, a prominent rebel group in eastern Ghouta, said patients will be evacuated as part of a deal that was conditional on it releasing an equivalent number of captives.
How Sunnis' post-ISIS crisis is leading some to a new Iraqi nationalismAs Iraq celebrates the defeat of ISIS, the Sunni Arab community is confronting an identity crisis in the aftermath of the occupation. For some, accommodation with the Shiite-led government offers a new Iraqi nationalism.
First LookCould a CPEC extension mend fragile relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan?China and Pakistan will consider extending their $57 billion infrastructure project, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), to Afghanistan.
First LookArab supporters join voices to send message to US about JerusalemA UN resolution proposed聽by Egypt and supported by 14 Security Council members would have forced President Trump to back down on his recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Russia has indicated it's ready to stand in as an 'honest mediator' in the peace process.聽
How Trump move on Jerusalem throws a lifeline to Muslim BrotherhoodThe conservative Brotherhood, outlawed or marginalized around the Arab world, has opposed the Arab-Israeli peace process for decades. It has emerged as a political winner as it leads popular protests against Trump's declaration in multiple Arab states.
Cover StoryHow Iran, the Mideast's new superpower, is expanding its footprint across the region 鈥� and what it meansIran has achieved milestones of leverage and influence that rival any regional power in the past half-century. While there are limits to how far it can extend its authority, Tehran鈥檚 rapid rise poses new challenges to the US, Israel, and Saudi Arabia as it undermines their previous dominance. How far can Tehran extend its reach?
First LookPalestinian president calls for US to leave peace negotiationsMahmoud Abbas has insisted the US is no longer fit to serve as mediator following President Trump's US embassy move announcement. Mr. Abbas called for the UN to replace the US for the remainder of the negotiations.聽
Jerusalem: Exhausted and adrift, Palestinians offer muted response to TrumpWhen Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital, analysts warned it could bring a wave of violence. But the response of outraged and distrustful Palestinians has been muted, and some are ready to abandon the two-state solution for peace.
First LookNetanyahu visits EU to win support following Trump's embassy move announcementPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Brussels to ask EU leaders to join President Trump in recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Many EU foreign ministers continue to criticize Mr. Trump's decision and its ramifications for the peace process.聽
First LookAfter 35-year ban, movie theaters allowed once again in Saudi ArabiaThe arrival of movie theaters in Saudi Arabia will mark the latest cultural change as a result of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's efforts to liberalize the conservative country.
