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
Assyrian Christmas message raises tensions in Turkey’s parliament The tensions are a snippet of the larger conflict regarding citizens’ rights to speak their mother tongues in the public and official sphere in multiethnic Turkey. Turkey
Relatives of Israeli Bedouins kidnapped by Hamas plead for France's help Relatives of Israeli Bedouins kidnapped by Hamas Oct. 7 are hoping to raise international awareness of their plight. Israel
Iran Sunni province awaits crackdown after militant attack Iran's past pledges to give a "decisive" response to similar militant attacks in Sistan-Baluchistan have effectively meant widespread local raids, a rise in executions and stricter security controls in the already restive region. Iran
Anti-Assad protests in Syria’s Suwayda persist, fueled by economic turmoil The protests in southern Syria, historically a government stronghold, persist amid widespread economic strife in the war-torn country. Syria
Who are the 3 Palestinian students shot in Vermont as hate crimes spike? The shooting occurred during a time of heightened bigotry toward Arabs, Muslims and Jews amid the Israel-Hamas war and follows a string of similarly violent incidents. Palestine
After battling Hamas, Druze leaders ask Israel for more than special status law In mourning for community victims killed by the militant group in Gaza, Druze patience is wearing thin toward a law discriminating against them. Israel
Why is bin Laden’s ‘letter to America’ trending during Gaza war? The controversial 2002 letter explains the al-Qaeda leader and 9/11 mastermind’s reasons for attacking the United States. Legacy: Gulf
France investigates suspected Russian role in Star of David graffiti in Paris French police are investigating whether Stars of David spray-painted on Parisian buildings in late October were directed by Russian actors. Israel
Analysis Israel-Russia ties unravel as Putin calls meeting over Dagestan mob incident After a Hamas delegation visited Moscow and the anti-Israeli incident in Dagestan, the crisis between Israel and Russia is out in the open. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Tunisia’s Jews on edge after crowd torches synagogue amid Gaza protests History of heated rhetoric and reaction to Israel's war against Hamas may spill over to the small local Jewish population. Tunisia
Jerusalem’s Orthodox Patriarch: Israeli strike on Gaza church a ‘war crime’ The Saint Porphyrius Church, in the al-Zaytoun neighborhood of Gaza City, was built in 1150 by crusaders and is considered the oldest active church in the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Funeral held for Palestinian-American boy killed in Illinois hate crime Hatred and violence toward Muslims and Jews is rising in the West as the Israel-Hamas war reverberates around the world. Palestine
