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
Polls predict new lows in Arab-Israeli voter turnout Ahead of the Nov. 1 elections, most Israeli-Arab voters do not believe that their representatives in the Knesset are capable of bringing real change. Israel
Iran revokes death penalties handed to three protesters The executions were reduced to jail terms in a controversial case that had drawn a furious public backlash. Iran
Israeli settlement intended for ultra-Orthodox draws new residents After years of failure to attract ultra-Orthodox residents, the West Bank settlement of Emmanuel is starting to interest middle-class families. Israel
New program in Israel promotes teaching Arabic in Jewish schools Aspiring to connect between Israeli and Arab residents, the municipality of Jerusalem promotes a new program that will teach school pupils not literary Arabic, but the spoken one. Israel
On visit to Algeria, France’s Macron advances post-colonial reconciliation The presidents of France and Algeria signed Aug. 27 a pact for a new partnership between the two countries, announcing the setting up of a joint historian commission to explore the colonial period, alleged French crimes and the bloody eight-year independence war. Algeria
Palestinian NGOs launch international campaign to revoke Israeli decision to shut them down Israel shut down the offices of seven Palestinian NGOs in the West Bank per a military decision, which these NGOs seek to confront with a wide international campaign. Palestine
Tunisian police unions clash with president's plan to unify security forces Human rights organizations in Tunisia are increasingly concerned about the police unions’ encroachment on politics. North Africa
Cash-strapped Lebanese turn to online civil marriages Najwa Sbeity and Omar Abdel Baki's civil wedding ceremony that they held online went viral, enticing more people to opt for this option despite the religious backlash and bureaucratic difficulties. Lebanon
Iranian government intensifies crackdown Iran has arrested three of its most prominent filmmakers. Iran
Israeli government retreats on bread-price controls The global rise in prices of flour and other products havs affected the cost of bread in Israel, some of which has long been regulated. Israel
Newly elected MPs bring back debate about civil marriage in Lebanon The positions of some new legislators in favor of civil unions to be performed in the Mediterranean country have outraged religious authorities. Lebanon
Ghosts of Gezi protests still haunt Erdogan The timing of President Erdogan’s recent outbursts targeting the 2013 Gezi protests hints that the protests will play a central role in his campaigning ahead of the June 2023 elections. Turkey
