Syria: Seige persists in Aleppo’s Kurdish enclaves despite SDF-Damascus truce Tensions are rising over plans to integrate the Kurdish-led SDF into the new Syrian military amid clashes between government-affiliated and Kurdish forces in Syria’s largest city. Syria
Grenade attack on IRGC kills 2 in Iran’s Kurdistan province: What to know The deadly assault comes amid recurring tensions and clashes in Iran’s Kurdish-majority western region. Iran
In a first, ICC convicts Sudanese militia leader of Darfur war crimes Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman was found guilty of 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur between 2003 and 2004. Sudan
Syria's parliamentary elections: First Jewish candidate in 58 years enters race Syria is holding its first parliamentary elections since the fall of the Assad regime, with a Jewish candidate running for the first time in decades in a vote conducted largely through indirect selection rather than a direct public ballot. Syria
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
Israel’s minister of religious affairs appoints women as latest reform Minister of Religious Affairs Matan Kahana's appointment of women, as well as changes to kosher supervision and to conversion law, have drawn the enmity of the ultra-Orthodox community. Israel
