Political Islam

Turkish drama

Culture

Ramadan opens in Turkey as secular-conservative divide resurfaces

Ramadan began in Turkey amid a fresh flare-up of secular-conservative tensions, fueled by a controversial TV series and renewed concerns over secularism.

Mansour Abbas, head of Israel's conservative Islamic Raam party, speaks to the press before casting his ballot at a polling station in the northern Israeli village of Maghar on November 1, 2022. - Israelis began voting in their fifth election in less than four years, with veteran leader Benjamin Netanyahu campaigning for a comeback alongside far-right allies. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP) (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Trump’s Muslim Brotherhood move reignites Israel’s battle over Raam

Israeli officials hailed the decision by President Donald Trump to start the designation process of Muslim Brotherhood chapters, though the move risks generating havoc within Israeli politics.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Bassam Hammoud the vice president of the Jamaa Islamiya in Lebanon, brandishes a rifle as he delivers a speech during a demonstration in Sidon in southern Lebanon on July 19, 2024, a day after an Israeli strike in the Bekaa region killed Mohammed Hamed Jabara, the commander of the Hamas-allied group in Lebanon. (Photo by Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP) (Photo by MAHMOUD ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Lebanon's Jamaa Islamiya in spotlight as US moves to designate Muslim Brotherhood

The Lebanese branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, al-Jamaa al-Islamiya, is a major Sunni political party in the country. But its armed wing has repeatedly attacked Israel during the war with Hezbollah, putting the group under US scrutiny.

Beatrice Farhat

By Beatrice Farhat

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

An Israel Air Force F-35 fighter lands during the "Blue Flag" multinational air defence exercise at the Ovda air force base, north of Eilat, Israel, Oct. 24, 2021.

Analysis

Trump’s Saudi F-35 deal jolts Israel’s security elite, weakens Netanyahu

The expected sale to Saudi Arabia of American stealth F-35 jets, as well as their sale to Turkey, deeply worries Israel’s security apparatus.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Latest News

Saudi Arabia, Muslim world mourn passing of grand mufti

Saudi's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Sheikh (C) leads prayer at the funeral on Feb. 6, 2008, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Jordan summons suspects accused of holding Muslim Brotherhood assets: What to know

Flags of Jordan and the Muslim Brotherhood are waved with other protest signs denouncing the US-led Middle East economic conference in Bahrain, in the Jordanian capital, Amman, on June 21, 2019.

Jordan targets charities for alleged Muslim Brotherhood ties: What to know

Supporters of Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood take part in a protest in the village of Sweimeh.

Syria’s Sharaa in UAE seeking investments amid Israel talks push

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today received His Excellency Ahmad Al-Sharaa, President of the Syrian Arab Republic, who is on a working visit to the country.

United Arab Emirates

RICCARDO MILANI/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

Rebuking 5-year sentence, France urges Algeria to pardon Sansal: What to know

France-Algeria relations have deteriorated recently, marked by expulsions of diplomats and tensions over Moroccan control of Western Sahara, migration and more.

Protesters hold placards as they demonstrate against cartoonists of a satirical magazine following allegations that it had published a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed, outside Taksim mosque in Istanbul on July 1, 2025.

Turkey's Erdogan vows justice amid rage over alleged Prophet Muhammad cartoon

A controversial cartoon has sparked mass protests, arrests and threats against a leading Turkish satire magazine.

A Tunisian woman wearing a "burkini", a full-body swimsuit designed for Muslim women, walks in the water with a child on August 16, 2016 at Ghar El Melh beach near Bizerte, north-east of the capital Tunis. (Photo by FETHI BELAID / AFP) (Photo by FETHI BELAID/AFP via Getty Images)

Culture

Syria mandates burkinis for women at public beaches: What to know

The decree has sparked concern that Syria’s new government could be veering toward a more strict Islamist governance system.

A large Syrian flag flutters above Tishreen Park in Damascus, on June 4, 2025.

Culture

Syria’s top Islamic body issues decree against honor killings: What to know

US special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack referred to the decision as “great first steps,” though concerns persist about the new Islamist-led government.

Raqqa

Feature

Nightlife rocks Raqqa as Syria’s Islamist leaders navigate power

A reopened nightclub in Raqqa spotlights the uneasy balance Syria’s new Islamist-led government is striking between ideology and public life.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud meets with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in AlUla, Saudi Arabia January 26, 2025. Saudi Press Agency

Analysis

Italy revamps ties with Saudi Arabia, eyeing investments and defense trade

On her first visit to Saudi Arabia, Meloni is seeking to rebrand Italy's political engagement in the Middle East and bring about a new era for Italian industry in the region.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

People walk past a campaign poster of Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in a market in Cairo on December 7, 2023, ahead of the presidential election. Egyptian citizens living abroad will cast early ballots on December 8 in a presidential election, in a vote all but certain to give incumbent Sisi a third term in office. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Wary of its own Islamists, Egypt adopts cautious approach to Syria

The Islamist takeover of Syria has triggered concerns in Cairo about a potential resurgence in Egypt, despite over a decade of crackdowns.

Shahira Amin

By Shahira Amin

The destroyed grain silos and a sculpture made from salvaged steel following the explosion stand in the port of Beirut as the sun sets on Lebanon, Jan. 11, 2024.

Analysis

Eyeing reconstruction, port investment, UAE resets Lebanon ties

A weakened Hezbollah and a new government in Beirut give room for the Emirates to play a big role, politically and economically, in Lebanon.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed reiterated the UAE's firm position in safeguarding Syria's unity and sovereignty during talks with Asaad Al Shibani, Syrian Foreign Minister, in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Wam

Analysis

Despite aversion to Islamism, UAE slowly embraces change in Syria

Abu Dhabi is adjusting to the idea of a more Islamist governance in Syria as it cautiously navigates the new reality after Assad's fall and a growing influence for Turkey.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Syria's newly appointed foreign minister, Assad Hassan al-Shibani, meets with Polish officials in Damascus.

Syria's new foreign, defense ministers close to Turkey, influential in HTS

Following the toppling of Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s new transitional government swiftly filled vacancies by appointing new foreign and defense ministers on Saturday.

Mohamed Bashir, who heads HTS's so-called Salvation Government, holds a press conference in the rebel-held northwestern Syrian city of Idlib on Nov. 28, 2024.

Who is who in Syria’s first interim government after Assad's fall

HTS and its government arm have installed a new interim prime minister and cabinet in Damascus. Who are they?

The casket of Turkish Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen arrives for a prayer service at Skylands Stadium in Augusta, New Jersey, on Oct. 24, 2024.

Analysis

With Gulen dead, Turkey sees chance to weaken group, improve US ties

How Turkey will shape its strategy against Gulenists after the death of their leader, Ankara's arch nemesis?

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security