All Middle East
First LookDeal reached: Iran transfers American prisoners to house arrestIran transferred five Iranian-Americans from prison to house arrest on Thursday, according to U.S. and Iranian officials along with a U.S.-based lawyer. The move comes after Tehran spent months suggesting a prisoner swap with Washington.聽
Cover StoryAmid quake鈥檚 destruction, spirit of unity lives on in this Turkish cityAntakya, Turkey, was leveled by earthquakes in February. But residents want reconstruction to prioritize not just buildings but the city鈥檚 culture of unity, too.聽
Is an Israel in crisis weaker? Tensions rise on Lebanon border.One measure of a nation鈥檚 strength is social cohesion. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has been closely watching the Israeli protests over judicial reform, in which military reservists play a prominent role.
Israel鈥檚 deepening tug of war over identityThe move to reform Israel鈥檚 judiciary speaks to聽a contest between two broadly competing visions of society that won鈥檛 be easily resolved.
Law curbing internet speech shocks Jordanians. Will king step in?Draft 鈥渇ake news鈥� legislation is threatening Jordan鈥檚 King Abdullah鈥檚 promised democratic reforms and placing him at the center of his people鈥檚 struggle for rights and freer speech.
In Israel鈥檚 democracy battle, a pivotal role for military pilotsIn democracy, ideally, the military stays out of politics, and vice versa. But with many Israelis seeing their democracy as wobbling, a refined sense of duty is compelling veteran pilots and other military reservists to act.
Centuries-old Jerusalem soup kitchen serves up 鈥榝ood with dignity鈥�Much has changed since Jerusalem鈥檚 Tikiya soup kitchen was built in 1552. But for the community, its mission is timeless.聽
First LookIsrael Supreme Court takes tough case: Ruling on its own powersIsrael鈥檚 parliament passed a contentious constitutional amendment to limit the judiciary鈥檚 power Monday, which has been followed by myriad appeals filed to the country鈥檚 Supreme Court. The already polarizing court will rule on its own powers this fall.
First LookIsrael鈥檚 black ink day: Unprecedented protest against judicial reformIn response to a law diminishing Israel鈥檚 Supreme Court鈥檚 power, widespread protests continue to break out, now even among doctors.聽Four Israeli newspapers covered their front pages in black ink as a symbolic gesture to mark a blow against democracy.
Netanyahu curbs Supreme Court power, defying critics at home and abroadAmid warnings of harm to Israel鈥檚 security, polls showing solid public opposition, and even repeated entreaties from President Joe Biden, the Netanyahu government passed a law that critics say strikes a direct blow at Israel鈥檚 democracy.
Drone war: The price Iran pays for helping Russia against UkraineOn the world stage, Iran needs friends. So Tehran seized the chance to flip the script with its powerful patron Russia, becoming a supplier of drones for Moscow鈥檚 war in Ukraine. Has it been worth the diplomatic cost?
In Israel democracy protests, both sides are digging inAt a previous crescendo of Israeli protests over judicial reform plans, the government backed off. But talks on a compromise collapsed. As a first bill moves toward passage, distrust runs deep.
First LookIran鈥檚 morality police renew clampdowns on hijab rulesAfter the death of Mahsa Amini sparked widespread protests across Iran, the so-called morality police mostly disappeared from the streets. Now they鈥檙e back to impose a new campaign to force Islamic dress on women.
First LookTraffic halted, strikes threatened: Israelis protest judicial reformThe Israeli government passed an initial bill that would limit the judiciary鈥檚 oversight power, unleashing a wave of protests. Opposition is widespread: Protesters blocked highways and an airport, and the national labor union is threatening to strike.聽
For two days Israel targeted militants in Jenin. What did it achieve?In the name of security, Israel has fought Hamas again and again in Gaza. Now, a large Israeli incursion targeting popular young militants in Jenin seems to be paving the way only for more clashes.
First LookIsrael ends West Bank raid, Palestinians grapple with way forwardIsrael has withdrawn its troops from a militant stronghold in the West Bank after one of the most intense military operations in the occupied territory in nearly two decades. The two-day operation killed 12 Palestinians and an Israeli soldier.
First LookIsrael launches major incursion in Jenin; 8 Palestinians reported killedIsrael launched drone strikes and deployed hundreds of troops in the northern West Bank militant stronghold. The move, pressured by recent attacks on settlers and the largest in many years, resulted in dozens of wounded.
Have Iran鈥檚 hard-liners lost the battle over women鈥檚 headscarves?Iran suppressed sweeping women-led protests last fall. But hijab laws are still being ignored. Hard-liners who see a threat to the regime are at odds on how to respond.
Food as love: In post-quake Turkey, those with nothing share everythingFood and hospitality, both legendary in Turkey, have emerged as signs of rebirth after the country鈥檚 tragic Feb. 6 earthquake.
First LookSyria emerges as bleak new frontier in war against child soldiersAmid Syria鈥檚 ongoing conflict, child recruitment by various armed factions has risen drastically, according to a United Nations report. Syrian activists claim children are forced into service or join due to either聽tribal ties or familial financial needs.