Syrian forces dismantle ISIS cell near Turkish border: What to know Syria says it has thwarted a number of ISIS plots in 2025 as the group seeks to exploit sectarian tensions in the country. Syria
Syria thwarts church attack in Tartous, blames Assad 'remnants': What to know Syrian officials blamed the attack on a group affiliated with the government of former President Bashar al-Assad. Syria
Analysis Emboldened by Suwayda fallout, Syria’s Kurds hold their ground with Damascus The Suwayda crisis boosts Kurdish confidence and threatens Erdogan’s bid to secure Kurdish support for a third term. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
2 Iranian border guards killed in Kurdistan province: What to know Iraq agreed to move Iranian Kurdish groups farther from the border in 2023, but some clashes have occurred since then. Iran
Analysis Will Israel's airstrikes in Druze city derail Syria normalization talks? By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Israel warns dual citizens about travel to Russia Jerusalem tells Israeli-Russian citizens they could be drafted into Russian army. Israel
Ultra-Orthodox address mental illness in Israel Bayit Cham battles against the attitude still prevalent among many ultra-Orthodox families that mental illness is something that needs hiding. Israel
Russia, Ukraine exchange barbs over Israeli pilgrimage to Uman Moscow and Kyiv are exchanging accusations of endangering Israeli Jews wishing traveling to the Ukrainian town of Uman for the annual Jewish New Year pilgrimage. Israel
Iran-linked militias claim arrest linked to threats to disrupt religious holiday Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units have conducted numerous arrests of alleged 'Bathists' in recent days that raise questions about the legitimacy of the arrests and the political reasons behind them. Iraq
Rabbinical ruling helps Jewish Israeli women get divorced Attempting to pressure a husband who refuses to grant a divorce writ to his wife, the Israel Chief rabbinate ruled that his father would be prevented from being buried in Israel when the time comes. Israel
Gendarmerie operation sparks controversy in Petra, Jordan Petra’s tribal entrepreneurs react to a security operation carried out inside Jordan’s most-visited UNESCO World Heritage Site with criticism and concern for their livelihoods. Jordan
Western Sahara dispute spills into Tunisia A diplomatic crisis is brewing in the Maghreb region amid tension between Morocco and Tunisia after President Kais Saied received the leader of the Polisario Front. North Africa
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
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
Israeli Arabs make it into the top 10 Meretz Party Knesset list Regional Cooperation Minister Essawi Frej is not running in the upcoming November elections, but Israeli Arab Ali Salalha managed to secure a realistic spot at the Meretz Party primary. Israel
Far-right platforms take shape in Israeli primaries The Religious Zionism primaries show how far the national-religious stream has veered to the right. Israel
Despite war, thousands of Israeli Hasidim make pilgrimage to Ukraine Much like the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine won’t stop thousands of Hasidim from reaching the city of Uman and the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov just before the Jewish New Year. Israel
