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
Israelis long to reconnect with Arab, Islamic homelands Many Israeli Jews with Middle Eastern origins remember a painful expulsion from their homelands and want to preserve and celebrate the history of those Jewish communities. Israel
Ultra-Orthodox anti-vaxxers threaten leading Israeli rabbi When the Grand Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky called on his followers to vaccinate children, vaccine opponents within the ultra-Orthodox community turned against him. Israel
Kakai minority scores two seats in Iraqi parliament After years of absence, two female candidates from the Kakai minority managed to reach the Iraqi parliament following the fifth Iraqi legislative elections held on Oct. 10 for the provinces of Ninevah and Kirkuk. Iraq
Will Lebanon’s economic crunch stir demographic change? The emigration of Lebanese, especially Christians, raises concerns in Lebanon in terms of the demographic change that it may lead to, in light of the economic crisis that the Lebanese have been experiencing for nearly two years. Lebanon
German video reignites Turkish Circassian controversy Turkey’s Circassian groups have found themselves in the crosshairs of nationalist parties after complaining of assimilation. Turkey
Israeli ultra-Orthodox rabbis make case to keep 'kosher' mobile phones A delegation of the most senior ultra-Orthodox rabbis met with Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel to express their concerns over his panned communication reform. Israel
Western Wall rabbi in eye of storm Progressive Jews believe Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz is preventing them from obtaining an egalitarian prayer space, but for the ultra-Orthodox, Rabinowitz is too much of a compromiser. Israel
Egypt weighs impact of Ethiopia's civil war The civil war further threatens Ethiopia as Tigray forces threaten to advance toward Abbis Ababa. Egypt
Why was cosmopolitan Istanbul so threatening to Turkish identity? A new Netflix series has kicked off conversations on long-hushed questions about Turkish identity. Turkey
Netflix series awakens ghosts of past for Turkey's Jews "The Club" explores the old wounds of Turkey’s minuscule Jewish community, from lost Ladino songs to the wealth stolen by a draconian 1942 tax. Turkey
Bennett in bind over prayer space by Western Wall Prime Minister Naftali Bennett knows that in the current political constellation, he has little choice but to advance the outline for a Jewish prayer space by the Western Wall. Israel
Israel agrees to allow entry of 5,000 Ethiopians with links to Judaism Israel's National Security Council had initially opposed the proposal to bring in more Falash Mura. Israel
