Analysis Hostage to Hormuz, can Gulf rewire future energy flows to bypass Iran’s chokepoint? As the US-Israel-Iran war disrupts around 20% of global oil supply, experts point to opportunities and challenges facing a renewed push to develop alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Displacement and dissent: Hezbollah’s war with Israel splits Lebanon’s Shiites The renewed Israel war against Hezbollah in Lebanon has divided the Shiite community, with some still backing the group as resistance against Israel’s expansionist vision and others refusing to pay the price of foreign conflicts. By Karim Safieddine In Beirut, reporting on politics
Lebanon scrambles to contain tensions over displacement as Israel ups threats Displaced Shiites are facing growing resentment from host communities in areas outside of Hezbollah’s control in Lebanon amid uncertainty over their return to southern Lebanon, where Israeli attacks and advances signal a potential ground invasion. Lebanon
UK, Netherlands probe Iran links to plots targeting Jewish sites: What to know British authorities said two men had spied on the Jewish community in London for Iran, and synagogues were recently targeted in Belgium and the Netherlands. Iran
Analysis Turkey cautious but unfazed by US plan to mobilize Iranian Kurds against regime By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Israeli ultra-Orthodox learn about Holocaust over phone Since ultra-Orthodox schools do not include history classes in their curricula, Israel Goldwasser and his friends came up with the idea of recorded Holocaust-history classes over the phone. Israel
Rivalry between Arab parties threatens Arab, ultra-Orthodox Knesset alliance Ultra-Orthodox Knesset parties are furious over the Muslim Ra’am party voting with the coalition on the Enlistment Law, with the ultra-Orthodox political alliance becoming collateral damage of the rivalry between the two Arab parties. Israel
Arab-Israeli city takes battle against violence into its own hands Tired of rising violence and police helplessness, the municipality of Umm al-Fahm presents its own plan to combat crime and decrease social tensions. Israel
Last Christian in Idlib recalls his community The last Christian in Idlib is 90 years old. Despite the war and the challenges, he stayed in Idlib even as all Christians left as a result of the war and restrictions imposed by extremist Islamic factions. Syria
Israeli entrepreneurs to set up first medical center in Arab city Entrepreneurs from the Arab city of Sakhnin are done waiting on the government and working with Tel Aviv's Ichilov Hospital to establishment a local medical facility. Israel
Turkish Netflix series turns cameras on pogroms, hidden Greeks "The Club," whose first season woke the ghosts of Turkey’s Jewish community, turns its lens on Turkey’s Greek Orthodox Community and the pogroms of 1955. Turkey
Nubians demand repatriation during Sisi visit Nubians in Upper Egypt still seek return to the land of their ancestors, after years of forced displacement, amid complaints of political and cultural marginalization. Egypt
Ethiopia detaining Tigrayans deported from Saudi Arabia, rights group says Human Rights Watch urged Ethiopia to release the arbitrarily detained Tigrayans and called on Saudi Arabia to stop its deportations. Saudi Arabia
Gaza at Christmas: a bleak outlook A Christmas tree brings some joy; Gaza’s Jewish quarter and a new wall; "We want to live" protests Hamas policies; Hamas, PIJ killings continue; Racism persists against Black Gazans. Palestine
Gaza’s Christians light Christmas tree Gaza's tiny Christian community celebrates Christmas in a giant way. Palestine
Arab Knesset member shocks crowd, says Israel 'born Jewish' Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas made big waves when he said that Israel was and will remain a Jewish state. Israel
Gaza's few Christians lift economy Gaza’s very small Christian community has been a strong force for the economy. Palestine