Pope Leo gets rock star's reception in Lebanon, drawing cheers, celebrations Pope Leo began his second day in crisis-hit Lebanon with visits to notable Christian shrines in the country and an interfaith meeting in the capital, Beirut. Lebanon
Lebanon celebrates Pope Leo’s visit as Israel escalates attacks The pontiff's visit to Lebanon comes as many in the country fear a potential restart of the war between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanon
In first foreign visit, Pope Leo meets Erdogan, urges Turkey to uphold pluralism On his inaugural foreign visit to Turkey, Pope Leo called for respect for pluralism after meeting with the Turkish president. Turkey
Analysis Pope Leo in Turkey, navigating faith, politics and Orthodox tensions The visit will bolster Turkey’s image on religious tolerance and shared positions with the Vatican while Ankara navigates sensitive issues surrounding the Halki Seminary and the Greek Patriarchate’s ecumenical status. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Israel scrambles for strategy as Mamdani’s NYC victory sparks alarm By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Analysis As Trump hosts Sharaa, Israel cautiously seeks Syria security deal By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Iraqi Mandaeans fear extinction The Mandaean community in Iraq is dwindling to such low numbers that its members fear extinction. Iraq
Three princes compete for Yazidi leadership to succeed late prince Following the appointment of a new Yazidi emir, two other Yazidi leaders announced themselves as new emirs. Iraqi-Kurdistan
Basra church restored, but few Christians left to worship there Basra's Virgin Mary Chaldean Church has reopened after a $228,000 renovation, but the Christians still in the city are dwindling. Iraq
Jordan's Baha'is struggle for basic civil rights Jordan does not recognize the Baha'i faith as a religion, which has created difficulties for adherents in regard to marriage, inheritance and overall civil rights. Jordan
Is positive sentiment toward Israel on the rise in Iraq? After an Iraqi ambassador made seemingly friendly comments about Israel, Iraqi politicians have made it known that Iraq will not stand for normalization. Iraq
Syrian Turkmen groups return from Turkey to support opposition Turkey has encouraged Syrian Turkmen organizations to move to Syrian areas controlled by anti-regime militias. Syria
Shin Bet warns Israelis against all Bedouins Israel’s Bedouin community is outraged at a Shin Bet statement hinting at Bedouin involvement in terrorism. Palestine
Iraq's diversity institute combats religious stereotypes and hate speech A new Iraqi institute aims to change the country's discourse toward minorities through educational curricula designed by religious minorities. Iraq
Nubians offered compensation for lost land Egypt is offering compensation to 11,700 Nubian citizens who have been displaced from their land for the sake of building the Aswan Dam. Egypt
Iraqis welcome Pope Francis' plan to visit in 2020 Following several requests made by Iraqi leaders to Pope Francis to visit Iraq, he reveals his desire to come next year. Iraq
Egypt debates customary marriage, polygamy The Egyptian Catholic Church recently announced that it needs to further study the unified personal status law proposals, at a time when customary marriage and polygamy remain under debate for Muslims. Egypt
Israelis prefer a unity government, without the ultra-Orthodox A recent survey revealed that most Israeli voters prefer a national unity government of the Likud and Blue and White and without the ultra-Orthodox and religious coercion. Israel
