Iran border clash kills 3 militants, police officer in Baluchistan: What to know Iranian forces have prioritized targeting Jaish al-Adl and other groups in the southeast, and are seeking cooperation with Pakistan on the issue. Iran
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
US watchdog says Afghanistan belongs on religious freedom blacklist The US Commission on International Religious Freedom also recommended the State Department designate Syria as a "country of particular concern" and place Egypt, Iraq and Turkey on a special watchlist for religious freedom offenders. United States
Egyptian Christians alarmed by murder of Alexandria priest The recent stabbing death of a priest in the northern coastal city of Alexandria has spread fear among Christians. Egypt
Turkey’s top court rules compulsory religion courses violate rights Turkey’s top court ruled that forcing compulsory religious education on minors against their parents’ will violates their rights, but will the government heed it? Turkey
Israel's Ultra-Orthodox not ready to take down Bennett government Despite the political upset between the coalition and the opposition, the ultra-Orthodox seem in no hurry to topple the current government. Israel
Israel condemns vandalization of Joseph’s Tomb by Palestinians The site of Joseph’s Tomb in the environs of the West Bank city of Nablus again at the center of violence between Palestinians and Israelis. Israel
Israel's tech future lies with Arab entrepreneurs An increasing number of Israeli Arabs are taking the bold step of launching their own startup companies. Israel
Disaster for Israeli coalition as legislator walks out Idit Silman has joined the opposition, ending the government's narrow majority in the Knesset. Israel
Ultra-Orthodox parties may offer Israeli government political safety net Journalist Amit Segal claims that Yitzhak Shapira, the most-likely replacement for senior ultra-Orthodox legislator Yaakov Litzman, has been secretly negotiating with the government for a deal that would halt anti-ultra-Orthodox legislation. Israel
Arabs across Israel condemn Islamic State-inspired attacks Arab Israeli leaders have roundly denounced the terror attack March 27 in Hadera that killed two police officers. Israel
Wave of expulsions shakes Turkey’s tiny Protestant community Dozens of foreign Protestant missionaries have been forced to leave Turkey based on intelligence reports classifying them as security risks. Turkey
Israel approves five-year development plan for Bedouin villages Not everyone in the Bedouin community approves of the five-year development plan recently adopted by the government, as it does not resolve the issue of unrecognized Bedouin villages. Israel
Death of influential rabbi marks turning point for Israeli ultra-Orthodox Both ultra-Orthodox and secular Israelis were drawn to Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, whose Torah scholarship brought him influence he never sought. Israel
