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
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
From Egypt to Lebanon: What’s at stake for regional states on Trump’s visa ban list? The State Department claimed that citizens from the affected countries are more likely to use social welfare services at a high rate. Algeria
Clashes and protests in Lebanon over Syria's anniversary: What we know As celebrations erupted in Lebanon to commemorate the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, Hezbollah supporters held counter-rallies. Lebanon
The Takeaway: Erdogan weighs risks of Afghan mission against benefits for US ties Also: Gulf airline race takes off; Islamic State steps up Iraq attacks; Fortnite fatwa riles Egyptian gamers; is Israel’s army too small?; child beggars in Gaza’s cemeteries; Iraq unearths 4,000 year old city; and more! All in only about 1,500 words. Turkey
Video shows Libyan coast guard firing on migrant boat in Mediterranean Sea The Libyan coast guard has acknowledged the warning shots had endangered the migrant families. Libya
Syrian refugees in Jordan use donkey-drawn carts amid lockdown Donkey-drawn carts have become the main means of transportation inside the Zaatari camp for Syrian refugees in Jordan after Jordanian authorities prevented cars from entering and leaving the camp since March 2020 as part of its coronavirus measures. Jordan
Migrants found dead off Yemen's Red Sea coast after boat capsizes The bodies were found near Ras Al-Ara, a coastal village in the southern Yemeni province that's known as a smuggling hub. Yemen
Turkish attack near Makhmour camp extends anti-PKK operations deeper into Iraq Days after warning of a coming operation on Iraq’s Makhmour camp, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said a senior Kurdistan Workers Party official was “neutralized” near the camp Saturday, underlining Ankara’s drive to put pressure on militants in the region. Turkey
CENTCOM chief warns children risk radicalization at Syrian al-Hol camp Gen. Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie said radicalization would remain a problem unless countries repatriate and reintegrate the children of suspected Islamic State fighters. Syria
130 migrants feared dead in shipwreck off Libyan coast A volunteer rescue group searched the Mediterranean waters but found no survivors. Libya
Senate Republicans: condition aid to Palestinian refugee agency on reforms A group of 21 senators called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to tie funding to UNRWA, the UN's Palestinian refugee agency, to "much-needed and meaningful reforms." Palestine
21 migrants drown off Tunisia's coast Rescue crews have located three survivors and are still searching for the boat's remaining 17 passengers. News Brief
Biden restores US aid to Palestinian refugee agency Along with providing $150 million to UNRWA, the US administration announced funding for economic and development assistance in the West Bank and Gaza. Palestine
Shipwreck leads to at least five deaths off Libyan coast Mediterranean crossings from Libya are continuing, despite dangers. Libya
Syria 'a living nightmare' after decade of war, UN chief says Some 60% of Syrians are at risk of hunger this year, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. Syria
