India tells Iran’s Khamenei to 'look at own record' over comments on Muslims suffering India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei’s remarks on the treatment of Muslims. Iran
George Helmy becomes first Coptic Christian sworn into US Senate Helmy fills the New Jersey seat left vacant after Sen. Bob Menendez was convicted of federal crimes and resigned. United States
Analysis On eve of Iran’s Pezeshkian visit, Iraq jostles for Shiite space amid rivalries Ahead of a top-level visit by Iran’s new president, Iraq seems to be garnering greater attention as the go-to place for Shiites looking for an alternative to its eastern neighbor. By Shelly Kittleson In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics
Hundreds of Israeli pilgrims pray at Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus Joseph's Tomb in Nablus has often been the site of violent conflicts between Palestinians and Israelis. Israel
Analysis What a far-right French government could look like By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Intel: US doubles reward for information on Islamic State leader The US government is offering $10 million for information leading to the location of Islamic State leader Amir Muhammad Sa’id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla. United States
Sunni figures in exile return to Iraq as part of national reconciliation Rafi Isawi has returned to Iraq to face trial for accusations related to terrorism; other Sunni figures with similar cases have expressed readiness to return to Iraq. Iraq
US watchdog group: Turkey’s actions in Syria endanger religious diversity The partial withdrawal of US troops from northeast Syria in October created a vacuum for religious repression, a bipartisan US agency says. Syria
Reactions to George Floyd murder reveal Islamist fragility in Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticizes the United States for racism while pro-government media alleges that the anti-fascist groups in the protests are being supported by outlawed groups in Turkey. Turkey
Bedouins say Israeli police ignoring violence in their communities Some characterize the Negev as the Wild West because of the lack of law enforcement. Israel
Sudanese immigrants in Lebanon try crossing border into Israel In recent months, Sudanese refugees have been trying to enter Israel by slipping across the tense border with Lebanon. Israel
The killing of George Floyd sparks controversy over African-Iraqi rights Ongoing protests in the United States over the killing of George Floyd have raised awareness among Iraqis about African-Iraqi rights in the country. Iraq
Minorities in Turkey on edge amid threats, attacks Vulnerable groups have faced intimidation or worse in recent weeks in what both the government and the opposition warn are efforts to stoke conflict, though they disagree on who’s to blame. Turkey
Intel: Houthis continue to detain Baha’i prisoners despite promise to release them The political head of Yemen’s Houthi rebels, Mehdi al-Mashat, vowed to release six Baha’i prisoners during a lengthy televised address in March. Two months later, multiple sources have confirmed to Al-Monitor that the Yemeni rebels have failed to follow through and that all six prisoners remain behind bars. Yemen
Ankara unfolds Hagia Sophia card against COVID-19 crisis Erdogan’s government has signaled it could consider turning the Hagia Sophia Museum into a mosque as part of religious messages aimed at keeping its voter base intact under the strain of economic turmoil, made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. Turkey
Intel: Trump’s religious freedom envoy ‘pleased’ with Iran’s release of Bahai’s President Donald Trump’s envoy for international religious freedom welcomed the release of some Baha’i political prisoners by Iran and by Yemen’s Houthi rebels while also noting concerns about Iran's treatment of the religious group. Yemen
Intel: US watchdog calls on State Department to add Syria to list of religious freedom violators Secretary of State Mike Pompeo should designate Syria as one of the world’s worst religious freedom offenders and put Iraq, Turkey and Egypt on a special watch list, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom recommended in its annual report. Egypt