All Middle East
How post-ISIS scramble for advantage in Syria raises risk of wider warWhile outside powers that played large roles in the Syrian war show little desire for an enlarged conflict, their fierce rivalry in the war's 'most dangerous phase' poses an escalation threat, as recent violence demonstrated.
In Gaza, amid warnings of an explosion, a sense of abandonmentIn overcrowded Gaza, jobs, food, water, and electricity are in short supply, with warnings that a collapse is imminent. The parties that seemingly would want to make a difference 鈥� Hamas, Fatah, Israel, and Egypt 鈥� haven't.
First LookIsraeli police recommend Netanyahu be indicted on bribery and breach of trustThe recommendations now go to the attorney general, who will review the material before deciding whether to file charges. But the聽 prime minister聽could soon find himself facing calls to step aside.
Afghanistan: In midwinter attacks, a brutal Pakistani reply to TrumpThe military-grade explosives used in recent Taliban and ISIS attacks in Afghanistan point to a state sponsor, likely Pakistan, analysts say, adding that Pakistan has a range of options in how it replies to recent US pressure.
Why mixed-gender combat units are on the rise in IsraelDespite resistance from rabbis and former commanders, the number of women in combat roles in the Israeli army is increasing sharply.聽Demands for equality are just one reason: The army finds the move useful.
First LookYemen's ancient monuments at risk as war rages onIn an effort to save some of Yemen's holiest and most historical ancient sites, UNESCO has shared the coordinates of 50 sites with militaries involved in the fighting. Although targeted hits have decreased, the sites are still vulnerable to the violence.聽
First LookRare dinosaur discovery marks Egypt's strides in paleontologyThe discovery of a rare plant-eating dinosaur's fossils in western Egypt has ignited international excitement about the region's potential deposits. While a global leader in archeology, the country has seen far less success with prehistoric excavation.聽
First LookFemale Afghan coders break gender barriers in fight against opiumA聽girls-only聽computer programing school in Herat is empowering girls to learn code as a way to change聽their lives. The girls have created a game centered around the opium crisis to raise awareness among the young.
Afghanistan by the numbers: inside the fight over factsThe Congress-appointed government watchdog for the war in Afghanistan is expressing the concern that the American people are not getting basic facts about the conflict. Analysts agree, and say it's not going well.
First LookMoroccan miners protest lack of economic opportunityProtests over a lack of jobs and development have stirred in Morocco's remote communities. Out-of-work miners are asking for the king's involvement after men who were scavenging for coal in an abandoned coal were killed.聽
First LookSyrian refugees return to their war-torn homesUnable to stand the cold weather, language barrier, and unemployment, a聽small but growing number of refugees are聽feeling the pull to return to Syria.
Why Israeli plan to deport Africans is facing growing Jewish oppositionNetanyahu refers to the nearly 40,000 Africans as 'illegal labor infiltrators.' But Jews in the Diaspora and Israel, including Holocaust survivors, say deportation would be a violation of Jewish values and history, citing the commandment to 'Love the stranger.'
With elbow grease and conviction, Jordanian women move into male vocationsThe women workers 鈥� mechanics and plumbers, welders and drivers 鈥� invoke conservative social norms even as they stretch them, saying they're providing services to other women in a more comfortable environment.
In Turkey, cruel tradition trumps 鈥榩icture perfect鈥� gender lawsLaws to promote women's rights are on the books in Turkey. But as the mood grows more conservative, gender issues are out of the spotlight and activists fear the government is backsliding.聽Part 3 of Reaching for Equity: a global series on gender and power.
In Syrian 'epicenter of suffering,' women model resilienceIn Douma, in rebel-held eastern Ghouta, food is scarce, bombings routine, and peace a memory. But the women of all ages who stream into Sabah's cozy apartment choose to be happy, sharing joy, music, and laughter.
Syria: Can Trump's anti-Iran strategy survive hostilities with Turkey?As Russia, Iran, and the US strive to establish facts on the ground to maximize their chances of shaping postwar Syria, Turkey is posing a challenge to a key piece of the Trump administration鈥檚 emerging policy.
First LookPence's reference to 'Israel's capital' calls US ability to mediate into questionVice President Mike Pence began his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by referring to Jerusalem as Israel's capital. The US stance on Israel's capital continues to sow doubt among Arab leaders that the US can effectively mediate Israeli-Palestinian conflicts.聽
How insecurity in Afghanistan is constraining the Red CrossCurtailing operations anywhere is not exactly in the ICRC's DNA, but attacks in 2017 undermined the relief organization's sense of security in Afghanistan and called into question its 'need versus risk' calculations.
The ExplainerLibya crisis as opportunity: Who are the Madkhalis?The fundamentalist Madkhalis, who supported Qaddafi until the end, have fought hard to prevent ISIS from establishing a base in Libya. But experts warn of their influence on society and aim of establishing a theocracy.
First LookDaily life is slow to return to Syrian 'rebel' capitalFour years after the start of the civil war, the Bab Dreib district of Hobs, Syria, stands abandoned and destroyed. Only 30 percent of its former inhabitants have returned as roads and buildings are in ruins, making access to food and other resources difficult.聽