Turkey's opposition elects acting mayor as Imamoglu remains detained, protests persist The Turkish president accuses opposition of sabotaging the economy amid ongoing detentions against protestors over the arrest of the Istanbul mayor. Turkey
Canceled Syrian justice workshop sparks repression fears: What to know Syrian civil society organizations condemned the sudden cancelation of a planned workshop on transitional justice in Damascus, calling it an act of oppression reminiscent of the Assad era. Syria
Feature Christians in Syria hopeful but wary of Sharaa’s intentions Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has sought to reassure minorities their rights will be protected under the new government. But not all Christians are convinced by his message of inclusivity. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
After raid, Israel puts Jerusalem bookshop owners under house arrest: What to know Israeli police raided the Educational Bookshop on Sunday and arrested its owners on charges of “disturbing public order,” a move met with outcry by diplomats. Israel
Analysis Kuwait's citizenship law changes reflect growing restrictions under new emir By Jennifer Gnana In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics
Analysis Post Oct. 7 Israel: Divided, veering right and embracing Jewish identity By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Analysis How far will Israel's justice minister go in reviving polarizing judicial overhaul? By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
US sanctions Lebanese environmental group for Hezbollah ties The US imposed sanctions on Green Without Borders and its leader, Zuhair Subhi Nahla, for providing cover for Hezbollah's activities in southern Lebanon. Lebanon
Analysis Netanyahu’s tension with Israeli security brass boils over amid accusations of dictatorship Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tries concealing from the public the damage caused to the readiness of the IDF by the refusal of reserve officers to show up for duty. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Meet Jerusalem Patriarch championing Christians rights and soon to be Cardinal Jerusalem’s Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the soon-to-be-nominated cardinal, has been spearheading the Vatican's battle against violence in Jerusalem in favor of inter-cultural/inter-religious dialogue for more than 20 years. Israel
Turkey arrests prominent TV journalist over criticizing Ocalan's isolation Journalist Merdan Yanardag’s arrest comes amid a post-election climate in which many journalists feel threatened, according to media watchdogs. Turkey
US lawmakers urge aid for Tunisia's civil society as crackdown intensifies The Biden administration’s proposal to slash economic assistance while largely sustaining military aid to Tunisia has drawn concern in Congress. Tunisia
'Iraq is not an Islamic country': Minorities protest Baghdad's alcohol ban as unconstitutional The Iraqi government's renewed effort to prohibit alcohol is not only worrisome for Christian and Yazidi minorities, but also raises constitutionality questions. Iraq
MidEast freedom rankings: Syria worst, Tunisia in decline, says Freedom House Syria remains to be the least and Israel the best performing country when it comes civil and political freedoms while the biggest one-year decline has been observed in Tunisia. Turkey
Sub-Saharans in Tunisia fear for their lives following Saied's racist comments A wave of violent racist attacks on sub-Saharan people living in Tunisia has spread across the country since President Kais Saied declared his belief in a conspiracy to change the demographic of Tunisia. North Africa
Earthquake orphans in Turkey, Syria face uncertain future Thousands of requests poured into Turkey’s Social Affairs Ministry to foster children who survived last week's quakes, but the ministry maintains that its priority is to reunite kids with families or relatives, if they can. Turkey
Egypt’s Coptic Christians outraged at government's mishandling of adoption case The case of a little boy who was taken from his adoptive Christian parents by the Egyptian authorities and placed in an orphanage after being registered as a Muslim has triggered a backlash from rights advocates and brought the adoption laws under scrutiny. Egypt
As Lebanon unravels, Beirut neighborhood takes security into its own hands Amid Beirut’s unlit streets, men wield torches and batons to ensure security and safety in the neighborhood in an initiative that began in Achrafieh, one of Beirut’s oldest and most charming districts. Lebanon
On US visit, Arab Israeli leader warns against Netanyahu’s new government In a meeting with the United Nations secretary-general, Hadash-Ta’al party head Ayman Odeh blamed successive governments of neglecting to protect Israeli Arab citizens. Israel
