'Apartheid': Arab countries including UAE, Jordan decry new Israeli law A group of foreign ministers struck out at a new Israeli law requiring the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of terrorism in military courts. Palestine
Amid chatter of local uprisings, eyes turn to Iran's minorities: What to know Ethnic minorities in Iran, historically marginalized and repressed by Iran's central government, are gaining attention as potential political actors amid escalating US and Israeli strikes. Iran
'No meaningful protection': Israel’s new Gaza aid rules raise data, security risks The guidelines expand Israeli authority to deny NGO registration in the Palestinian territories and visas for foreign aid workers as Gaza continues to reel from two years of war. Palestine
UN points to 'genocidal path' in RSF assault on Sudan’s El-Fasher A UN fact-finding mission says the scale and coordination of atrocities in Darfur mark a shift in its assessment of the paramilitary group’s campaign. Sudan
Feature ISIS brides face uncertain future as Damascus clashes with Syria’s Kurds By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Rights groups appeal to UN to stop execution of Iranian boxer Vafaei-Sani Iran sentenced to death local boxing champion Mohammad Javad Vafaei-Sani on vague charges after he was arrested following his participation in the 2019 anti-regime protests. Iran
US calls for Egypt to immediately release researcher Patrick Zaki Zaki was sentenced to three years in prison over a 2019 article he wrote on Coptic Christians that prosecutors deemed "fake news." Egypt
European Parliament rebuffs Turkey's NATO-EU trade-off Turkey’s EU accession process cannot resume under the current circumstances, but new ways to cooperate should be explored, EP members say ahead of an EU foreign ministers meeting. Turkey
Analysis Israel-US ties fray as Netanyahu proceeds with judicial overhaul The Biden administration made it clear to Israel that the special relations between the countries are based not only on common security interests, but also on values, currently not respected by the Netanyahu government. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Congress grills PGA Tour on relationship with Saudi Arabia’s LIV Golf US Senator Richard Blumenthal, who led the hearing on the deal between the Saudi Public Investment Fund and the US golf circuit, told Al-Monitor that many questions remain unanswered. Legacy: Gulf
UN experts urge Saudi Arabia to release two women detained over tweets In a report, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention condemned the use of a vague counterterrorism law against rights activists in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia
Iran: 3 women journalists go on trial as rulers continue with crackdown Repression of journalists has worsened since widespread protests began in Iran last year, and the government is also restricting use of VPNs. Iran
Turkey TV series paints dark picture of jailed activist Osman Kavala A new series on Turkey’s new streaming service Tabii presents a brazen caricature of Osman Kavala, the philanthropist and human rights activist serving a life sentence. Turkey
Turkey Islamist group calls for art expo's closure for 'blasphemy,' LGBTQ 'propaganda' Islamist media and AKP members attacked Istanbul Municipality’s inaugural exhibition of top Turkish artists at Feshane, a recently renovated 19th-century factory. Turkey
European Parliament committee calls to prosecute Israel for war crimes The Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament hopes to get the plenum to approve a resolution encouraging the International Court to charge Israel with war crimes. Israel
Bayern Munich, Qatar Airways end sponsorship deal after fan pressure Fans of the German soccer champions have long-criticized the deal over concerns of Qatar's alleged human rights violations. Qatar
In a snub, US does not invite Israel’s Ben-Gvir, Smotrich to July 4 reception The Biden administration has made its preferences clear by excluding far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich from its Independence Day reception in Jerusalem. Israel
