Ethnic/Religious Minorities

Members of People's Defense Units (YPG) stand guard as Syrian government internal security personnel enter the northeastern city of Hasakeh, a Kurdish stronghold, on Feb. 2, 2026.

Feature

After SDF-Damascus truce, is Kurdish haven still safe for Syria's Alawites?

Thousands of Alawites who fled violence in western Syria now face uncertainty as the Syrian government and Kurdish forces reach a tentative truce.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Arab-Israeli parliament member Ahmad Tibi poses for a picture during an interview with AFP at his office at the Knesset (Israeli parliament) building in Jerusalem on June 25, 2024. The 65-year-old leader of an Arab-majority party told AFP that after October 7, "hundreds of Arab citizens were hunted down, chased by the Israeli police for writing a post or a story empathising with the children of Gaza or saying no to the war." (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Interview

Treated as 'enemies’: Ahmad Tibi accuses Netanyahu government of indifference to Arab Israeli lives

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Arab Israeli leader Ahmad Tibi said that Israeli police are failing to address the uptick of violent crimes in Arab towns, attributing this to the current government's lack of willingness and prejudice.

Ahmad Tibi

Ahmad Tibi

Knesset member and Ta'al Party leader

Roj Camp

Feature

ISIS brides face uncertain future as Damascus clashes with Syria’s Kurds

With Syrian government forces taking over nearby al-Hol and security breaking down, families of ISIS fighters at Roj Camp live in fear and uncertainty.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Four Arab Israeli parties join forces ahead of Israel's next elections.

Analysis

Can newly unified Arab Israeli bloc bridge gaps to block Netanyahu next election?

The move signals to their constituents that the four leaders can set aside differences to try to strengthen Arab representation in the Knesset.

Mazal Mualem

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

Latest News

What Israel stands to lose in Syria-SDF agreement

Jalaa MAREY / AFP via Getty Images

Syria’s Kurds accept sweetened ceasefire deal as US envoy Barrack declares SDF obsolete

Soldiers walk past a parked car as Syrian government forces make their way to the city of Hasakeh in northeastern Syria on Jan. 20, 2026.

US military negotiates handover of Syria's ISIS prisons as Kurds withdraw

Members of the Syrian Kurdish Asayish security forces gather at the Kurdish-run al-Hol camp, which holds relatives of suspected Islamic State (IS) group fighters in the northeastern Hasakeh governorate, on April 18, 2025, as the Syrian Democratic Forces mount a security campaign against IS "sleeper cells" in the camp.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Analysis

Why Iran regime’s potential collapse spells more risk than benefit for Turkey

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (R) shakes hands with Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during press conference in Tehran on Nov. 30, 2025.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Iran's former President Hassan Rouhani (L) waves to the media as India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks on before a meeting at Hyderabad house, New Delhi, India, Feb. 17, 2018.

India tells Iran’s Khamenei to 'look at own record' over comments on Muslims suffering

India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei’s remarks on the treatment of Muslims.

US President Pro Tempore of the Senate Patty Murray (D-WA) swears in US Senate-Designate George Hemly (D-N.J.).

George Helmy becomes first Coptic Christian sworn into US Senate

Helmy fills the New Jersey seat left vacant after Sen. Bob Menendez was convicted of federal crimes and resigned.

Shiite Muslim devotees attend mourning rituals in Iraq's central holy shrine city of Karbala on August 23, 2024 ahead of the Arbaeen commemorations that mark the end of the 40-day mourning period for the seventh century killing of the Prophet Mohamed's grandson Imam Hussein ibn Ali. (Photo by Ali Abdul Wahid / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by ALI ABDUL WAHID/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

On eve of Iran’s Pezeshkian visit, Iraq jostles for Shiite space amid rivalries

Ahead of a top-level visit by Iran’s new president, Iraq seems to be garnering greater attention as the go-to place for Shiites looking for an alternative to its eastern neighbor.

Shelly Kittleson

By Shelly Kittleson

In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics

Jewish worshippers pray at Joseph's Tomb as hundreds of faithful mark the anniversary of the biblical Joseph's death, Nablus, West Bank, July 4, 2011.

Hundreds of Israeli pilgrims pray at Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus

Joseph's Tomb in Nablus has often been the site of violent conflicts between Palestinians and Israelis.

An armed Israeli soldier watches nationalists gathered at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem on June 5, 2024, during the so-called Jerusalem Day flag march.

Ben-Gvir’s Temple Mount visit angers both Muslims, ultra-Orthodox

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's visit to the Temple Mount on the fasting day of Tisha B’Av drew condemnation not only from the Muslim world but also the ultra-Orthodox community.

Women worshippers stand at the altar, they pray and tie knots in pieces of cloth that represent their wishes, during their visit to the new Yazidi Temple in the village of Aknalich, 35 kilometres from the Armenian capital Yerevan, on October 11, 2019.

Yazidis or Kurds? The fight over identity in Armenia and Iraq

A growing number of Yazidis insist they are not ethnic Kurds, part of an effort to construct a distinct identity in order to survive.

Former President of the French far-right Rassemblement National (RN) parliamentary group Marine Le Pen.

Analysis

What a far-right French government could look like

Jews and Muslims fear that a far-right win at the French parliamentarian elections on Sunday could damage their freedom of religious practice.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli demonstrations turn violent as ultra-Orthodox protest draft

Protests broke out in Israel over the weekend over thousands of ultra-Orthodox facing the draft.

A woman wearing a hijab with a bouquet of flowers in her hand walks down a street in the Barbes district in Paris on June 25, 2023.

Analysis

French Jews, Muslims warn of far-right rise in upcoming elections

The far-right National Rally is expected to make big gains in upcoming legislative elections, with immigration and cost of living among central issues motivating voters.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Displaced Syrians walk through a makeshift camp for Syrian refugees only miles from the border with Syria in the Bekaa Valley on Nov. 12, 2013, in Majdal Anjar, Lebanon.

Poverty in Lebanon tripled to 44%, as high as 62% in rural areas: World Bank

In a recent report, the World Bank revealed a three-fold increase in poverty rates in Lebanon, which is hard hit by an economic crisis and financial meltdown, with nine out of every 10 Syrians displaced in the country living under the poverty line.

TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE/AFP via Getty Images

Three main disagreements constrain Turkey-Greece ties following Mitsotakis visit

The Greek prime minister's visit to Turkey inspired both optimistic and pessimistic outlooks for the future of the two NATO allies.

An undated image of Layan Nasir.

Family of Christian Palestinian woman held in Israeli detention speaks out

The mother of Layan Nasir, a young Palestinian woman recently detained by Israel in the West Bank, trusts her daughter will come out stronger from Israeli prison.