Analysis How hijab dispute is opening new front in Iran-Azerbaijan tensions Iran's longstanding unease over Azerbaijan's strategic ties with Israel is spilling into a dispute over religious freedoms and Baku's position in the Islamic world, testing already fragile relations between the two neighbors. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Iran mum as Azerbaijan’s school hijab ban, Israel ties test alliance with Turkey Azerbaijan’s restrictions on Islamic dress in schools have sparked an unusual public spat with Turkey, exposing tensions beneath the allies’ close political and security ties. Turkey
Culture Rape of teenage girl shocks Tunisia: What to know Violence against children and women remains a problem in Tunisia, despite a 2017 law aimed at helping the situation. Tunisia
Culture Who is Fatima El Mansouri, Morocco’s first woman prime minister? Her appointment marks the first time a woman has served as Morocco’s head of government and the second time a woman has held the position in the Arab world. Morocco
Analysis Is Syria’s Sharaa poised to outdo Turkey in formalizing gains for Kurds? By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Women gain foothold at Iran's seminaries In Iran, institutional change in favor of women’s participation at seminaries is moving ahead at an exceptional pace. Iran
Palestinian women earn sweet money as pastry chefs Once considered taboo, women take over pastry-making in West Bank sweets factory. Palestine