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
Egypt upholds life sentences for 10 Muslim Brotherhood leaders The Brotherhood members are serving life sentences related to a 2011 jailbreak. Egypt
Israeli Supreme Court OKs surrogacy for same sex-couples, single men Israel’s High Court of Justice said restrictions barring same-sex couples from using surrogate mothers to become parents must end in six months. Israel
Kuwaiti poet arrested for insulting emir Jamal al-Sayer's apparent arrest came after he tweeted that Kuwait's rulers were violating the constitution. News Brief
Health professionals urge Blinken to press Egypt on prison conditions More than 200 health professionals have signed on to a letter asking Secretary of State Antony Blinken to urge Egypt to address dire conditions inside its prisons. Egypt
UN rights expert says Israeli settlements a 'war crime' Israel blasted the report as “the latest one-sided and biased report against Israel." News Brief
Palestinian plainclothes security agents further popular dissent The method in which the protests against the killing of the critic of the Palestinian leadership Nizar Bayat were violently put down, with the use of security officials dressed in civilian clothes, has exposed a deep rift in Palestinian society. Palestine
US adds Turkey to list of countries using child soldiers A US State Department report called out Turkey for providing support to armed groups in Syria that use children in combat. Turkey
Islamic State exploits economic downturn in Iraq, Syria, US envoy says John Godfrey said the thousands of suspected Islamic State fighters held in northeast Syria constitute a security threat to the region. Syria
No end in sight for Egyptian Nubians jailed in Saudi Arabia Despite growing calls to release 10 Nubians who have been detained in Saudi Arabia for nearly a year, it seems the Egyptian government is not making any effort to resolve the case. Egypt
New Israeli government to renew controversial law banning Palestinians from uniting with families in Israel The Israeli government is expected to renew the law on citizenship and family reunification, which prohibits Israelis from passing on citizenship or residency to their Palestinian spouses residing in the West Bank or Gaza Strip for family reunification purposes. Palestine
UN's Iran investigator calls for inquiry on Raisi's role in 1988 executions The UN’s special rapporteur on human rights in Iran told Reuters that his office had collected evidence of the mass executions to share with the UN Human Rights Council. Iran
Family reunification law aims to lower number of Palestinian citizens in Israel The family reunification law could endanger the new Israeli government coalition. Palestine
