All Middle East
First LookSaudi government takes on tourism projects to lessen dependence on oilIn an effort to diversify the economy, the Saudi government begins projects to invest in tourism instead of oil. But private real estate developers are concerned the government initiatives won't allow for private investment.
First LookIran scolds Trump for an 'alternative fact' tweet about a missile launchAfter an untruthful tweets about a nonexistent Iranian missile launch聽posted by President Trump, Iran's foreign minister withdraws diplomatic conversations with the United States.聽聽
First LookSaudi women to be granted driving rights in 2018After nearly three decades, women will be allowed to drive beginning next summer. The step toward expanded women's rights is seen as another effort by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to modernize the kingdom.
Defiant, Kurds vote in northern Iraq, seeking path to independenceThe nonbinding referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan, whose Peshmerga fighters have been stout allies in the fight against ISIS, nevertheless elicited warnings from Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and the US.
Cover StoryReluctant champion: How Nadia Murad has become the international face of Yazidi suffering 鈥� and resilienceThe same courage and determination that helped Murad escape from the Islamic State have driven her to travel to more than two dozen countries to tell her story, forcing the world to hear about the atrocities and demanding that ISIS be held accountable for its crimes against Yazidis.
How strongly is NATO ally Turkey pivoting to Russia and Iran?President聽Erdo臒an has taken steps that have alarmed his NATO allies.聽Until recently, Turkey has pursued policies directly opposed to those of Russia and Iran.
First LookKurds head to the polls Monday for independence voteIraq's Kurdish population is planning a referendum vote for independence and the creation of a Kurdish state. Regional leaders fear the vote will bring more instability to the region and distract from the fight against the Islamic State.聽
ISIS has planted a ticking bomb that is hard to defuse: traumatized childrenIraq hasn't enough mental health professionals to handle the legions of traumatized children who, because of ISIS, saw and did things they never should have. But if enough teachers can be found, schools could help put them on a path to healing.
First LookTurkey to overhaul school curriculum, triggering concerns politics will take precedence over scienceA new 'values-based' program will recast more than 170 topics in the educational curriculum, from removing all direct references to evolution from high school biology classes to teachings about jihad or holy war in religion classes as the 'love of homeland.'
Why plight of Rohingya Muslims has suddenly captivated the Arab worldAn Arab world riven with internal conflicts is showing the Rohingya a level of unity and support usually reserved for the Palestinians. One reason: media coverage of the crisis has not been filtered through a partisan or sectarian lens.
First LookLife for Aleppo residents creeps toward normalcyAleppo still struggles under the anguish of more than six years of civil war. But resilient residents are rebuilding lives in a war-torn town they once called home.聽
In push for post-ISIS reconciliation, Iraqi leaders still a sticking pointAs Iraqi security forces push ISIS out of each village or city, peacemakers establish mechanisms of reconciliation. But they say too few lessons have been learned by politicians about inclusive rule and compromise.
Free passage for ISIS: Was Hezbollah-backed deal a jab at Lebanese Army?The free-passage deal that sent ISIS fighters and their families from Lebanon across Syria sparked outrage in Iraq and the US. It also raised suspicions that Hezbollah had deliberately snatched battlefield glory from the Lebanese Army.
First LookUN commission finds Syria at fault for April gas attackInvestigators conclude the Syrian government did use chemical weapons in an area with civilians. This report comes as Syria, Russia, and Iran escalate fighting around the city of Deir el-Zour in order to drive out Islamic State militants.
First LookSyrian forces end three-year Islamic State siege of Deir al-ZorSyrian government forces have reached an enclave of troops and civilians in Deir al-Zor, one of the Islamic State's last military strongholds in the country.
First LookUN: IS strongholds in Syria could fall by OctoberThe United Nations' envoy to Syria said parts of the country could be liberated from Islamic State control by October, and that the push for free elections should be a priority in the coming year.
First LookIsraelis and Palestinians compete over Muslim touristsThough only a small part of Jerusalem's religious tourism market, Muslim pilgrims are becoming a sought-after demographic for both Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
First LookQatar restores diplomatic relations with Iran, countering Arab demandsQatar restored full relations with Iran, ignoring demands from Arab nations and deepening the Gulf dispute.聽
In Saudi diplomatic shift on Iraq, a hand to Sunnis ... and ShiitesA summer charm offensive holds the promise of helping bring Sunnis back into Iraq's political process and lessening Iran's hold on the country. But Tehran is likely to push back and test the Saudis' resolve.
First LookSyria opposition asked to come to terms with Assad's political survivalWestern and regional rebel patrons, currently more focused on advancing their own interests rather than accomplishing regime change in Damascus, are shifting their alliances and have ceased calls on Assad to step down.聽
