Culture FIFA rejects Egypt, Iran objections, allows Pride flags at World Cup match The Egyptian and Iranian football bodies previously raised objections over the match to FIFA. Iran
Syria opens trial of Wassim al-Assad, cousin of ousted president: What we know The trial follows another session in the case against Atef Najib, also a cousin of former President Bashar al-Assad, as Syrian authorities continue prosecuting figures linked to the former regime and its remnants. Syria
Turkey detains 233 ahead of NATO summit, including LGBTQ+ activist Yildiz Tar The operation included alleged militant suspects as well as LGBTQ+ and leftist activists, raising concerns over the scope of the crackdown. Turkey
Culture In Syria, detention of Hassan Akkad raises alarm about free expression under Sharaa Akkad, a British-Syrian filmmaker, was detained Wednesday night after his campaign questioning the whereabouts of funds allegedly pledged for relief, reconstruction and community initiatives across Syria. Syria
Interview As Sudan war drags on, US-Iran conflict compounds humanitarian crisis in Darfur Janti Soeripto President and CEO of Save the Children US
Congress withholds Egypt aid over injured American Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., has asked the Donald Trump administration to hold $300 million in military aid unless Cairo pays reparations for a 2015 attack on tourists and meets a series of human rights conditions. Egypt
US sanctions loom over defiant Turkey Congress is threatening to pursue targeted sanctions against Turkish officials as tensions heat up over the ongoing detainment of American Pastor Andrew Brunson. Turkey
EU's critical report on Turkey draws criticism itself Turkey has an oddly mild reaction to a bruising report from the European Commission. Turkey
Jailed US pastor finally appears in Turkish court American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who has become a political football between the United States and Turkey, finally got a chance this week to address a Turkish court. Turkey
Is freedom of expression at stake in Tunisia? There are growing concerns in Tunisia over the declining freedom of expression, Tunisian authorities' crackdown on bloggers and the Nidaa Tunis draft law on electronic defamation. Tunisia
Parliament votes to disband Tunisia's truth commission The Tunisian Truth and Dignity Commission vows to continue its efforts to help victims of human rights violations, despite parliament's efforts to dissolve the group. Tunisia
The struggle of Egypt's transgender community Many transgender Egyptians still run into society’s conservative wall, despite some tolerance by the younger generation. Egypt
Humiliated Netanyahu scapegoats pro-democracy NGO Frantic to extract himself from his immigration failure, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is accusing a US-based nongovernmental organization called the New Israel Fund of sabotaging an agreement with Rwanda. Israel
Iran-Iraq War continues to claim lives The vast number of anti-personnel mines planted during the Iran-Iraq War continue to maim and kill on both sides of the border, but Iran refuses to engage states and organizations with experience in de-mining. Iraq
Congress links Egypt aid to Cairo’s ties with North Korea US President Donald Trump today signed into law a $1.3 trillion spending bill that places new restrictions on military assistance to Egypt ahead of next week’s presidential election. Egypt
Jordan protests escalate as lawyers boycott court Members of the Jordanian Bar Association are refusing to appear in the military-run State Security Court in defense of protesters arrested while demonstrating against the government's decision to lift bread subsidies. Jordan
IDF demands 'excessive' transparency from rights groups The Civil Administration in the West Bank has increased the information it requires from peace groups that organize face-to-face encounters between Palestinians and Israelis, and some activists say the new demands go much too far. Palestine
