Analysis Iran’s execution drive intensifies as war provides cover for repression Iran has recently executed more protesters, raising fresh questions about how it is using wartime narratives and global inattention to reshape its approach toward dissent and instill societal fear. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Kuwait strips 415 more of citizenship as crackdown continues: What to know Kuwait is seeking to attract wealthy foreigners to reside in the country while escalating its crackdown on citizenships it says were obtained fraudulently. Kuwait
Exclusive Rights, faith groups urge Congress to block $2.8B bomb sale to Israel If the Trump administration moves forward with the transfer, dozens of groups are urging lawmakers to seek a joint resolution of disapproval. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
West Bank settlers attack Israeli activists as Netanyahu claims 'hoax' On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attention surrounding settler violence was a “tremendous hoax.” Israel
UK foreign secretary to press Iranian FM on prisoners, nuclear deal In her first overseas trip as new UK foreign secretary, Liz Truss will meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York City this week. Iran
Sisi statements spark debate about status for Egyptian atheists The Egyptian president's remarks on human rights have drawn attention to freedom of belief for the nonreligious. Egypt
Egypt's security forces harass activists into silence, Amnesty says The report said the National Security Agency threatened human rights defenders with arrests and prosecutions, and questioned them about their political activity on social media. News Brief
The Takeaway: Business As Usual: US-Egypt alliance finds its center Also: Bennett meets Sisi; Egypt announces vaccine factory; Saudi Arabia mulls Taliban ties; Syrian jihadi group announces "moral police" in Idlib; NGOs slam Palestinian Authority on human rights; a new Al-Monitor podcast; and more … all in about 1,500 words. Egypt
Biden move on Egypt aid slammed by human rights groups The Biden administration is reportedly releasing some of the military aid that Congress had conditioned on Egypt making human rights improvements. Egypt
Palestinian Authority under fire over freedom of expression Activists and human rights defenders have condemned the Palestinian Authority trials of 30 activists, political figures and national figures. Palestine
Palestinian media alleges rights abuses during Israeli search for escaped prisoners The Palestinian Authority is demanding the release of more prisoners following an escape at a high-security Israeli prison. Palestine
Controversial Egyptian slum removal mars Giza Plateau upgrade The Nazlet al-Saman slum blemished the Giza Plateau for many decades, but its ongoing removal is bringing criticism of the government. Egypt
Amnesty report says Syrian refugees return to torture, rape The report documented human rights violations carried out by Syrian intelligence officers against 66 Syrians who returned to the war-torn country, including 13 children. Syria
SDF transfers extremist IS women to Roj camp in Hasakah The Syrian Demographic Forces moved 300 families of extremist women from al-Hol camp to Roj camp in Hasakah countryside, to confine them to one camp and control security in al-Hol camp. Syria
'Hymen reconstruction fatwa' stirs controversy in Egypt A fatwa by a senior Muslim scholar permitting hymen repair in certain circumstances has sparked controversy on social media, with critics fearing it may encourage girls to engage in sex out of wedlock. Egypt
Iran opens 'drug-trafficking' trial of two Swedish nationals The drug-smuggling trial comes as Sweden prosecutes a former Iranian official linked to the mass killing of dissidents in 1988. Iran
