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
Basra church restored, but few Christians left to worship there Basra's Virgin Mary Chaldean Church has reopened after a $228,000 renovation, but the Christians still in the city are dwindling. Iraq
Jordan's Baha'is struggle for basic civil rights Jordan does not recognize the Baha'i faith as a religion, which has created difficulties for adherents in regard to marriage, inheritance and overall civil rights. Jordan
Is positive sentiment toward Israel on the rise in Iraq? After an Iraqi ambassador made seemingly friendly comments about Israel, Iraqi politicians have made it known that Iraq will not stand for normalization. Iraq
Syrian Turkmen groups return from Turkey to support opposition Turkey has encouraged Syrian Turkmen organizations to move to Syrian areas controlled by anti-regime militias. Syria
Shin Bet warns Israelis against all Bedouins Israel’s Bedouin community is outraged at a Shin Bet statement hinting at Bedouin involvement in terrorism. Palestine
Iraq's diversity institute combats religious stereotypes and hate speech A new Iraqi institute aims to change the country's discourse toward minorities through educational curricula designed by religious minorities. Iraq
Nubians offered compensation for lost land Egypt is offering compensation to 11,700 Nubian citizens who have been displaced from their land for the sake of building the Aswan Dam. Egypt
Iraqis welcome Pope Francis' plan to visit in 2020 Following several requests made by Iraqi leaders to Pope Francis to visit Iraq, he reveals his desire to come next year. Iraq
Egypt debates customary marriage, polygamy The Egyptian Catholic Church recently announced that it needs to further study the unified personal status law proposals, at a time when customary marriage and polygamy remain under debate for Muslims. Egypt
Israelis prefer a unity government, without the ultra-Orthodox A recent survey revealed that most Israeli voters prefer a national unity government of the Likud and Blue and White and without the ultra-Orthodox and religious coercion. Israel
Israeli Arab parties pass on Jewish-Arab cooperation Israel's four Arab parties, which split into two Knesset lists before the April elections, are now discussing reunifying to contest September elections with the goal of generating more Arab votes. Israel
Meet Iraq's human rights advocate who lived through two genocides Dr. Widad Akreyi, who lived through the 1980s Anfal genocide and the 2014 Yazidi genocide, has become one of the major defenders of human rights in Iraq and beyond. Iraq
