Interview Olmert: Only Israeli-Lebanon deal can curb Hezbollah, occupation 'unviable' Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Al-Monitor that Israel will only be able to defang Hezbollah if it reaches an agreement with the Lebanese government.
Interview Minister warns aid cuts to Lebanon risk empowering Hezbollah Lebanese Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayed warns of resurgent sectarian tensions as Israeli strikes drive mass displacement into overcrowded Beirut. Haneen Sayyed Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs
Iran war deepens Gaza crisis as prices soar, aid falters Gazans fear that Israel could exploit the wider regional war to reenter Gaza, especially as buffer zones along the border continue to expand and civilians are targeted to keep them away. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Analysis Why Germany may struggle to meet Merz’s 80% Syria repatriation goal Germany, which hosts the EU’s largest Syrian refugee population, is pushing to repatriate Syrians, but Syria’s domestic issues and legal protections for asylum seekers complicate those efforts. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Ethiopia detaining Tigrayans deported from Saudi Arabia, rights group says Human Rights Watch urged Ethiopia to release the arbitrarily detained Tigrayans and called on Saudi Arabia to stop its deportations. Saudi Arabia
Saudi coalition demands Houthis release UAE vessel seized in Red Sea The Houthis claimed the ship was carrying military equipment and conducting "hostile activities" in Yemen's territorial waters. Yemen
UN slashes food aid to Yemen amid funding crunch Starting in January, eight million Yemenis will receive a reduced food ration from the UN's World Food Program. News Brief
One-third of Arab world food insecure in 2020, UN says The UN says a spike in undernourishment in the Middle East and North Africa was observed across all income levels, in both conflict-ridden and stable countries. News Brief
Syrians resort to ancient bread-making methods in Idlib's food crisis Displaced Syrians in Idlib are replacing bakery bread with handmade bread, turning to traditional methods during the area's food shortage. Syria
The Takeaway: Israel’s military threats shadow Iran nuclear talks Erdogan digs in on lira; Egypt, Ethiopia tensions rise again over Nile Dam; Assassins "carefully planned" attack on Iraqi PM; Iraqi Shiite scholars ponder post-Sistani era; Children become breadwinners in besieged Idlib; The return of Mohammed Ali Pasha’s palace … all in less than 1,200 words. Israel
Idlib’s children become breadwinners amidst rising poverty Worsening living conditions and soaring poverty rates in Idlib force more and more children to drop out of school and start working to help their families meet their basic needs. Syria
US sanctions senior Houthi leader over Yemen extortion campaign The US Treasury sanctioned the senior Houthi leader for "assets confiscated by Houthi opponents." Yemen
Egypt’s treatment of refugees in question as Cairo deports Eritreans Eight Eritreans were expelled in October after being in detention for two years without due legal process or access to the UNHCR; another 12 are thought to be at imminent risk. Egypt
Intel: Qatar to represent US diplomatic interests in Afghanistan Qatar will act as the formal diplomatic messenger between Afghanistan's Taliban leaders and Washington. Qatar
Iran deports thousands of Afghan refugees, UN agency says In the last week of October, Iran sent back more than 28,000 Afghans who fled across the border. Iran
Refugees returning to Syria face reprisals from government The rights organization documented arrest, arbitrary detention, torture and other forms of abuse among Syrian refugees who returned to their home country from Lebanon and Jordan. Syria
