All Middle East
Far-right coalition in Israel sparks furor over education and valuesThe naming of a religious anti-LGBTQ extremist to a new education post is roiling the public over fundamental questions of Israeli identity and Jewish values.
First Look'Is being a girl a crime?': Taliban closes university doors to womenThe Taliban have banned female students from private and public universities in Afghanistan in its latest edict cracking down on women鈥檚 rights and freedoms in the country. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the decision.
First LookArgentina wins World Cup. Messi led team with assists as well as goals.Argentina鈥檚 victory Sunday brings Europe鈥檚 run of four straight World Cup winners to an end. Lionel Messi led with assists that were as memorable as his goals during the tournament.
How to defy an authoritarian? In Tunisia, election is a battle cry.Confronting the autocratic Tunisian president鈥檚 plans to put a weakened parliament firmly under his thumb, opposition groups are putting aside differences. Their tools are limited.
On banks of the River Jordan, an interfaith haven is plannedJordan鈥檚 Hashemite royal family, custodians of the baptism site, hope the complex will be more than just a center for 海角大神 pilgrims, but a showcase for interfaith harmony.
First LookTourists return to Bethlehem for Christmas history, photos, souvenirsThe Christmas season is peak time for tourism in the historic city of Bethlehem. For the past two years, the number of visitors have plummeted due to the pandemic, but now the city is busy again as tour groups and holiday activities return.
Gulf leaders find new partner in China, challenging US dominanceFor decades Washington has been the unquestioned patron and protector of its allies in the Gulf. Now the Gulf states want to diversify their ties: Enter China.
Jordan has a plan to retain nation鈥檚 youth 鈥� can they sell it?Nearly half of Jordanians say they鈥檝e considered leaving for economic opportunities elsewhere. Can a new employment plan slow brain drain?聽
First LookAre Iran鈥檚 protestors gaining ground? It鈥檚 hard to tell.Iran鈥檚 chief prosecutor has reportedly said that the country鈥檚 morality police has been shut down. And some efforts may be underway to address protestors鈥� demands. But details remain unclear.
In Israel, an inspiring political model that ... failedAn alliance of sworn political enemies managed to work together to govern Israel. They got things done 鈥� and now have been voted out.
Amid swirl of violence, Palestinians wonder: Where are their leaders?As Palestinians see deaths mount in an especially violent year, their leadership appears absent, even as it curtails the people鈥檚 freedom to seek an alternative government.
First LookAncient strikers: Falconry still has grip on World Cup host QatarIn a country now know for oil riches, international business, and glittering skyscrapers, a history of falconry stands out even amid World Cup hype. At a market in Doha, Qatar, falconers flaunt their prized birds to locals and droves of soccer fans alike.聽
First LookWalled defense: Archeologists in Iraq use mudbricks to slow erosionIn Iraq鈥檚 ancient Babylon, climate change has led to salty groundwater that is corroding some of humanity鈥檚 oldest monuments. Archeologists are using low-salt mudbricks made by a local artisan to preserve sites once considered one of the world鈥檚 wonders.
As Egypt hosts COP27, human rights advocates seize their opportunityEgyptians backed military rule in return for stability and prosperity. Years later the new Egypt offers mostly hardship, and repression of dissent is widespread.
Cover Story鈥榃omen, life, freedom.鈥� Inside the protests shocking Iran.As Iranian protesters get sent to prison, many say it鈥檚 only steeled their resolve to take to the streets again.
First LookIranian protesters target shops with three-day strikeCalls for a national strike to not buy or sell anything are surfacing in Iran. The protests against the death of Mahsa Aminihave at the hands of morality police have led to聽15,820 arrests so far. One anti-government protester has been sentenced to death.
First LookIstanbul bombing: Turkey swift to accuse Kurdish militantsA major terrorist attack in Turkey on Sunday killed 6 people and injured more than 80. Turkish officials have detained a woman,聽with suspected ties to Syrian Kurdish militant groups, who claims she planted the bomb.
For Israel鈥檚 hard-right alliance, how high a priority is democracy?To return to power, Benjamin Netanyahu embraced the invective of his ultranationalist allies. At stake now are issues central to Israel鈥檚 democracy: minority rights, security laws, and an independent judiciary.
First LookBeneath the sands of time, a new 海角大神 discovery in Middle EastA 海角大神 monastery that possibly pre-dates the spread of Islam has been discovered on an island off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. It鈥檚 鈥渁 story that deserves to be told,鈥� said聽Timothy Power, an associate professor of archaeology.
First LookBuoyed by rise of Israeli hard right, Netanyahu heads back to powerIn its fifth election in four years, Israel appears poised to elect former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He鈥檒l be joined by members of the far-right Religious Zionism party, cementing the country鈥檚 most right wing government in history.