Interview Olmert: Only Israel-Lebanon deal can curb Hezbollah, occupation 'unviable' Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Al-Monitor that Israel will only be able to defang Hezbollah if it reaches an agreement with the Lebanese government.
'Apartheid': Arab countries including UAE, Jordan decry new Israeli law A group of foreign ministers struck out at a new Israeli law requiring the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of terrorism in military courts. Palestine
Amid chatter of local uprisings, eyes turn to Iran's minorities: What to know Ethnic minorities in Iran, historically marginalized and repressed by Iran's central government, are gaining attention as potential political actors amid escalating US and Israeli strikes. Iran
'No meaningful protection': Israel’s new Gaza aid rules raise data, security risks The guidelines expand Israeli authority to deny NGO registration in the Palestinian territories and visas for foreign aid workers as Gaza continues to reel from two years of war. Palestine
Three years after Mahsa Amini's death, Iran faces movement it can't crush Three years after an Iranian woman’s death in hijab police custody sparked the “Women, Life, Freedom” women’s rights movement, the Iranian regime is faltering under mounting crises. Iran
Israel lays siege to West Bank's Tulkarm after military vehicle hit by explosive device Israeli troops sealed off entrances to the city of Tulkarm after an explosion hit a military vehicle as months of raids and mass displacement continue in the city’s refugee camps. Palestine
Iran executions hit 913 this year as postwar crackdown deepens: What to know The latest spree comes in the aftermath of the war with Israel and amid deepening domestic crises facing the Islamic Republic, which has repeatedly turned to executions when its survival is on the line. Iran
Nine bodies unearthed in Latakia mass grave, one of dozens found in post-Assad Syria As part of the efforts by new Syrian authorities to bring justice to victims of the Assad regime, dozens of mass graves containing thousands of bodies — believed to be victims of former regime forces — have been discovered across Syria. Syria
Turkey blocks Instagram account of leading LGBTQ+ group Kaos GL The ban targeting the group, a leading LGBTQ+ organization, follows earlier bans affecting its website and X account. Turkey
Turkey arrests youth delegate over Council of Europe address: What to know The youth activist’s arrest adds to Ankara’s growing isolation as Turkey faces suspension from Europe’s top human rights body. Turkey
Fears mount over fate of missing Turkmen dissidents in Turkey The pair vanished after being released from a Turkish deportation center, prompting concerns they were abducted or secretly returned to Turkmenistan. Turkey
Iran executions double to 625 as parliament mulls harsher espionage penalties The United Nations said executions so far this year stand at 625, at the least, more than double the number for the same period last year. Iran
What to make of Egypt's removal of Alaa Abdel-Fattah from terror list An Egyptian court has removed a prominent jailed activist from the country's terrorism list amid scrutiny over Egypt’s human rights record under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Egypt
Sharaa reportedly mulls action against Lebanon over Syrian prisoners Reports that Syria's interim president is threatening action over thousands of Syrians still held in Lebanese prisons have revived the long-standing issue. Syria
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. Algeria
Over 170 global NGOs call for end of US-backed GHF operations in Gaza More than 170 major nongovernmental organizations called for the immediate end to the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, amid the rising death toll near its distribution centers in Gaza. Palestine
