Courts and the law

A young man stands in the entrance of tunnels that were used by the ISIS and the Assad's regime for fighting. Tadamon, Syria, February 7, 2025. (Photo by Raghed Waked / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by RAGHED WAKED/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Syria arrests Amjad Youssef, Tadamoun massacre perpetrator: What to know

Amjad Youssef appeared on video, allegedly killing dozens of civilians in 2013; he is the latest member of the Assad regime to be captured by the new Syrian government.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds the hand of his wife Sara as they attend a ceremony commemorating Israel's Remembrance Day for fallen soldiers, or Yom HaZikaron, at the Military Cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem on April 21, 2026. (Photo by Ilia YEFIMOVICH / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

Israel's Netanyahu says he was treated for prostate cancer: What we know

The prime minister said he postponed the report’s publication to prevent it from being released at the height of the war with Iran.

Women read instructions to voters ahead of the upcoming municipal elections in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on April 21, 2026.

Analysis

On eve of Palestinian local elections, competition in short supply

With many races unopposed and rivals excluded, the vote underscores a calibrated effort to contain dissent and prioritize stability.

Daoud Kuttab

By Daoud Kuttab

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Commuters make their way past a giant billboard of slain Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at Valiasr Square in Tehran on April 19, 2026.

Two Iranians face US court in sanctions, arms trafficking cases: What to know

The cases come as the United States pairs tighter sanctions with stepped-up enforcement targeting Iran’s global networks amid the war.

Latest News

Bahrain orders citizenship review as Iran war-linked crackdown escalates: What to know

Vehicles move on a road in Bahrain's capital, Manama, on March 11, 2026.

Kuwait detains American journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin: What to know

Ahmed Shihab‑Eldin attend "Palestine 36" red carpet during the Doha Film Festival 2025 on November 24, 2025 in Doha, Qatar.

With Orban’s defeat in Hungary, Israel loses European shield

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu review a military honor guard on April 3, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Hungary in defiance of the International Criminal Court (ICC)'s arrest warrant against him over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Hungary has long-standing ties with Israel, and they been further bolstered up since the start of the war in Gaza, sparked by the Palestinian militant group Hamas's attack on Oct

Four Israeli soldiers arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran: What to know

Israeli soldiers patrol a street in Hebron's Old City in the occupied West Bank on January 23, 2026, deployed as settlers entered the area under army protection. (Photo by Mosab Shawer / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images)

Netanyahu

Analysis

New York trip gave Netanyahu no escape from Israel's reality

The Israeli prime minister’s coalition partners were careful to remind him, even when he visited the United Nations, that his political fate is in their hands, and that they won’t allow any concessions to the Palestinians.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 30: Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) speaks during the Summit of Democracy 2023 on March 30, 2023 in Washington, DC. The theme for the final day of the summit encompassed "Advancing Technology for Democracy" and included speakers from the Department of Homeland Affairs and and representatives from intelligence agencies. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Breaking | Last Updated: September 22, 2023, 5:18 pm

US Senator Menendez indicted on corruption charges involving Egypt

Sen. Bob Menendez, a key power broker in Washington's Middle East foreign policy, is accused of providing sensitive US government information to aid the Egyptian government.

Washington Connection

Avi Ohaion/GPO

Hundreds protest as Netanyahu meets Elon Musk in San Francisco

Protests greeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in California and many more are planned for New York City.

DEBBIE HILL/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Can Israel's Supreme Court mitigate threats and avert constitutional crisis?

Israel’s Supreme Court opened hearings Tuesday on the amendment to limit its powers in what could soon become a constitutional crisis.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Members of Lebanon's LGBTQ community attend a picnic the coastal city of Batroun, north of Beirut, on May 21, 2017, as part of the Beirut Pride week aimed at raising awarness about the rights of the community. / AFP PHOTO / IBRAHIM CHALHOUB (Photo credit should read IBRAHIM CHALHOUB/AFP via Getty Images)

Culture

Lebanon: Backlash as MPs introduce bill to decriminalize LGBTQ+ relationships

Some Lebanese leaders have intensified their campaign against the LGBTQ+ community after news emerged of a bill to repeal an anti-LGBTQ+ provision of the Penal Code.

The interim head of Ennahda, Mondher Ounissi, in an undated photo.

Who are Ennahda leaders arrested in Tunisia's latest crackdown?

The arrests are the latest against figures opposed to President Kais Saied, who has cemented his one-man rule since July 2021.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leaves 10 Downing Street after meeting Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, London, March 24, 2023.

To appease Biden, Israel’s Netanyahu floats judicial compromise, Saudi progress

With his trip to the United States just around the corner, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is willing to do almost anything, including halting the judicial overhaul, to get a photo op with President Joe Biden.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Arab Israelis go on strike as crime wave devastates community

Arab Israeli municipalities, businesses and community centers are on strike today, demanding law enforcement agencies do more to stem the violence affecting towns and villages across the country.

US Vice President Joe Biden (L) listens to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talk during joint statements in the prime minister's office in Jerusalem on March 9, 2016. Biden implicitly criticised Palestinian leaders for not condemning attacks against Israelis, as an upsurge in violence marred his visit. / AFP / POOL / DEBBIE HILL (Photo credit should read DEBBIE HILL/AFP via Getty Images)

Why are Israel's ex-Shin Bet chiefs urging Biden not to host Netanyahu?

Two former directors of the Israeli Shin Bet — Ami Ayalon and Yuval Diskin — call on President Joe Biden to support the Israeli protest movement against the judicial overhaul by not inviting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House.

Nour Hajjar

Lebanon: arrest of standup comedian Nour Hajjar sparks fears despite release

Beirut already undergoing economic and political paralysis, was struck this week by arrest of a standup comic who joked about Lebanon's army and offended religious figures five years ago.

Beatrice Farhat

By Beatrice Farhat

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Israeli Rabbi Eliezer Berland (C), who is suspected of sexual abuse in Israel, arrives at court in Haarlem, on November 17, 2014, with his lawyer Louis de Leon (R). AFP PHOTO / ANP / SANDER KONING ++netherlands out++ (Photo credit should read Sander KONING/AFP via Getty Images)

Israeli rabbi, convicted sex offender, asks Ukraine to lift visa ban

The notorious Rabbi Eliezer Berland, convicted in Israel of sex offenses, is trying to get Ukrainian authorities to lift a three-year travel ban and allow himself and his followers to perform their traditional pilgrimage to Uman.

Arab Israelis demonstrate against organized crime and calling on the Israeli police to stop a wave of intra-communal violence, Umm al-Fahm, March 12, 2021.

Analysis

Does Israel’s government want to curb deadly crime wave in Arab sector?

Despite electoral promises, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has nothing to show in terms of stopping spiraling violence in Arab Israeli towns and villages.

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