Iran fires TV director over 'Death to Khamenei' blunder: What to know Iranian authorities have stepped up their crackdown on journalists who covered the recent anti-regime protests. Iran
Iran arrests Oscar-nominated writer, civil rights figures in expanding crackdown Iranian authorities arrested three prominent activists over the weekend, including Oscar-nominated screenwriter and journalist Mehdi Mahmoudian as arrests surge across Iran. Iran
European Union adds IRGC to terror list, expands sanctions As the extent of the killing of protests is gradually revealed, the European Union has decided to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. Iran
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. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis Bruised, not broken: Iran’s regime shows no deep structural cracks — yet By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Renewal of anti-terror law threatens human rights in Iraqi Kurdistan The Iraqi Kurdistan parliament has extended an austere law put in place to combat the Islamic State, raising serious concerns about human rights abuses and trials behind closed doors. Iraq
Child abuse case brings outrage, but no change in Iran Just a month after a high-profile child molestation case shook Iran, the outrage has died down and very little is being done to prevent future abuse. Iran
Palestinians cheer US exit from UN Human Rights Council The US withdrawal from the UN's Human Rights Council has given some Palestinians hope for a stronger pro-Palestinian European role without the United States to hold it back. Palestine
Congress presses Egypt on injured US citizen Congress wants Cairo to compensate an American citizen who was grievously injured when Egyptian security forces attacked a tourist group with US-made weapons. Egypt
Israeli bill forbids documentation of IDF abuses Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman claims an Israeli bill criminalizing the filming of Israeli soldiers is meant to protect them from harm, but human rights workers point out that it will also shield them from prosecution. Palestine
Abbas agrees to end death penalty, but Hamas objects Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has signed a protocol to abolish the death penalty, but the measure faces opposition in the Gaza Strip, where Hamas continues to support the sentence. Palestine
Turkey's sharp-tongued rapper faces five years in jail Turkish rapper Ezhel may face up to five years in prison for promoting drug use in his songs. Turkey
Iraqi war correspondents form committee to fight for rights A group of Iraqi war correspondents formed their own association to defend their rights, which they said were being neglected. Iraq
Turkish court keeps US pastor behind bars Turkey’s decision to postpone US pastor Andrew Brunson’s hearing until July may be driven by electoral calculations and attempts at so-called hostage diplomacy. Turkey
Congress withholds Egypt aid over injured American Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., has asked the Donald Trump administration to hold $300 million in military aid unless Cairo pays reparations for a 2015 attack on tourists and meets a series of human rights conditions. Egypt
US sanctions loom over defiant Turkey Congress is threatening to pursue targeted sanctions against Turkish officials as tensions heat up over the ongoing detainment of American Pastor Andrew Brunson. Turkey
EU's critical report on Turkey draws criticism itself Turkey has an oddly mild reaction to a bruising report from the European Commission. Turkey
