Female commander in Iran's Basij units assassinated: What to know Violence in the Sistan and Baluchistan province has become a regular occurrence, marked by clashes with armed groups and ambushes on Iranian security forces. Iran
In first, Israel’s Netanyahu says he held call with Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa It is the first publicly disclosed contact between the leaders of Israel and Syria, which lack formal relations and have fought several wars. Sharaa’s government began US-mediated talks with Israel in 2025. Syria
Iran’s IRGC says 5 killed in Baluchistan after dismantling ‘militant cell’: What to know Iran’s IRGC announced a new operation against armed militants in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchistan, which is witnessing almost daily attacks and clashes. Iran
Culture Syria's Kurds, Arabs find common cause in battle for language rights As Kurdish students protest language restrictions, unexpected alliances are emerging between Syria’s Kurds and Arabs. Syria
Feature Syria Golan detentions fuel fury at Israeli forces, doubts in new government By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Biden calls Erdogan ahead of expected Armenian genocide labeling The White House readout of the call between the two leaders did not mention the Armenian genocide. News Brief
Turkish talk of reconciliation angers Armenians on 106th anniversary of genocide Turkey has warned the United States that President Joe Biden's expected characterization of the mass killings of the Ottoman Armenians in 1915 as a genocide will derail Turkish-Armenian reconciliation and further damage US-Turkish ties. Armenians say there is no reconciliation process to speak of. Turkey
Pope may visit Lebanon once new government is formed Pope Francis met Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri in Vatican City today. Lebanon
Egypt's Christians fearful after IS killing in Sinai The latest killing of a Christian man in Sinai by the Islamic State has brought back to Egypt's Christians memories of past attacks on churches by the terrorist group, even as the Coptic Orthodox Church appeared defiant. Egypt
Jerusalem seethes with clashes between Jews, Arabs The week has been violent in Jerusalem with both Israeli Jews and Arabs reportedly attacking each other in well documented incidents. Israel
New Israeli legislator smuggles Torah scroll for Women of the Wall One of the first actions of new Labor Knesset member Rabbi Gilad Kari was sneaking a Torah scroll into the Western Wall plaza for women activists to pray from. Israel
New ultra-Orthodox residents make Israel's Dimona nervous Many secular residents of the southern town of Dimona are afraid that new residents, families from the Gur Hasidic community, will change the character of their town. Israel
The lost Jewish surnames of Cairo An extensive list of the surnames of the Jewish families who lived in Cairo has been published, helping tell stories across generations. Egypt
Syria’s Armenian community resilient, but faces uncertain future Syrian Armenians, despite the fragility of their presence in the region, are determined to stay and rebuild. Syria
Pope's pilgrimage to Iraq and land of Abraham begins The first-ever papal visit to Iraq starts as Pope Francis lands in Baghdad. Iraq
Israelis blame ultra-Orthodox for coronavirus pandemic Many secular Israelis express hatred towards the ultra-Orthodox, whom they blame for the continuing coronavirus pandemic. Israel
Pope Francis dismisses uncertainty over upcoming Iraq trip Francis' visit to the country next month will mark the first time a pope has visited Iraq. Iraq
