All Middle East
Will Erdo臒an survive Turkey election? Youth vote may hold key.Turkey鈥檚 first-time voters, 8% of the electorate, may decide Sunday鈥檚 elections, pitting strongman President Erdo臒an聽against a diverse coalition.
First LookGaza and Israel fire more rockets. Can Egypt broker peace?Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed a fourth militant commander, bringing the death toll to 25 in this latest round of fighting. Rocket attacks on southern Israel persist despite Egyptian efforts to broker a cease-fire, as West Bank tensions keep spiking.聽
First LookUnveiled and unbowed: Iranian women resist hijab lawMore women are choosing not to wear the mandatory hijab publicly in Iran. Such open defiance of the law follows months of protests over Mahsa Amini, a woman who died in the custody of the country鈥檚 morality police for wearing her hijab too loosely.
First LookSyria's admission back into Arab League exposes member divisionsAfter a 12-year suspension due to President Bashar al-Assad鈥檚 responsibility in the Syrian civil war, Syria has been readmitted to the Arab League. Some countries in the region remain skeptical about readmitting Damascus without solving ongoing conflicts.
Will Turkish elections lead to greater press freedom?Harsh restrictions on press freedom in Turkey have left independent media decimated. Many journalists hope the opposition will win upcoming elections.
Israel at 75: Can a divided nation reconcile its differences?For months, Israelis have protested proposed judicial reforms. But as events around Israel鈥檚 75th anniversary made clear, the divisions roiling its society are even more fundamental.
First LookSaudi Arabia and Syria: Historic thaw or a questionable alliance?Syrians on opposite sides of the battle lines have different views on the normalization of ties between Assad鈥檚 government and Syria鈥檚 neighbors. Government-held residents hope for economic relief, while those in opposition-held areas feel isolated.聽
First LookBattle rages on in Sudan as mass airlifts rescue foreign nationalsForeign governments are evacuating their citizens from Sudan amid a battle for power between two rival generals. While foreign evacuations continue, many Sudanese are risking their lives to escape the violence by driving to the border with Egypt.
鈥楴ot the same Bibi鈥�: Why Israel鈥檚 public has turned on NetanyahuJust over 100 days into his newest tenure as prime minister, questions are mounting about whether Benjamin Netanyahu can keep Israel united and secure, his extremist partners at bay, and his government intact.
Saudis, Houthis shake hands in Yemen. Peace will take much more.The Saudi-Iran regional rivalry has hung heavily over Yemen鈥檚 tragic civil war. But removing the proxy layer of the complex conflict is not enough to secure peace, analysts caution. That requires including other factions.
FocusIsrael failing to stop attacks on 海角大神s, Jerusalem churches sayPeace and harmony among Jerusalem鈥檚 diverse communities requires sensitivity and balance. Church leaders say a culture of impunity has emboldened mostly outside agitators, and appeals to Israel鈥檚 government are being ignored.
First LookWhy Yemen鈥檚 prisoner exchange could be a step toward regional peaceA three-day prisoner exchange linked to Yemen鈥檚 yearslong war began Friday, with more than 800 prisoners to be transported to Yemen鈥檚 capital, Sanaa. The exchange is the biggest of the war since 2020 and comes as more than 150,000 people have been killed.
Retirees鈥� self-help in Israeli schools: 鈥榃e all want to be relevant鈥�An organized group of retirees from all walks of life is helping support failing Israeli schools. It鈥檚 good for the kids and good for the retirees, who get community and purpose.
First LookThousands of Israelis march to illegal settlement amid rising tensionIsraeli ministers led thousands to a West Bank settlement, defying global opposition to settlement-building. Recent violence led to the killing of both civilians and international tourists.聽
Ramadan in Jerusalem: How a shining moment of serenity was lostFor several days, almost defiantly, Jerusalem enjoyed the fruits of diplomacy. But extremists exploiting the Passover-Ramadan season once again incited violence that radiated out to a tense region.
First LookWith China as broker, Iran and Saudi Arabia take a step toward peaceIran and Saudi Arabia, long-time rivals in the Middle East, have restored diplomatic ties and agreed to economic cooperation during a meeting in Beijing.聽This agreement could aid in resolving conflicts in the region, such as the war in Yemen.
Letter from Jerusalem: In a holy week, city parades its better selfEaster, Passover, and Ramadan are coinciding amid Israeli-Palestinian tensions. Yet the joy and harmony seen in Jerusalem鈥檚 streets creates a feeling that this is the city鈥檚 defining character.
First LookStrike and mass protests in Israel halt rollout of judicial planIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is stalling his judicial overhaul plan after two days of intensifying protests against it. He said Monday he wanted to seek a compromise and take a 鈥渢imeout for dialogue鈥� with his political opponents.
First LookAmid crisis, Netanyahu fires his defense chief, and protests eruptTens of thousands of prodemocracy demonstrators poured into聽Israel鈥檚 streets Sunday night in a spontaneous outburst of anger after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abruptly fired his defense minister for challenging a judicial overhaul plan.
Tears, a tissue, and iPhone photos 鈥� an Afghan softens a Turkish heartThe Turkey earthquake disaster has magnified anti-immigrant sentiments. A respectful conversation in a taxi between an Afghan and a Turk defused it.