Syria: Siege 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
Court case against priest evokes bitter memories for Turkey’s Assyrians Turkey’s tiny Assyrian community views a jail term handed to an Assyrian priest on “terrorism charges” as an official strong-arming tactic, while Assyrians around the world call for dismissal of the case. Turkey
Biden calls Erdogan ahead of expected Armenian genocide labeling The White House readout of the call between the two leaders did not mention the Armenian genocide. News Brief
Turkish talk of reconciliation angers Armenians on 106th anniversary of genocide Turkey has warned the United States that President Joe Biden's expected characterization of the mass killings of the Ottoman Armenians in 1915 as a genocide will derail Turkish-Armenian reconciliation and further damage US-Turkish ties. Armenians say there is no reconciliation process to speak of. Turkey
Pope may visit Lebanon once new government is formed Pope Francis met Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri in Vatican City today. Lebanon
Egypt's Christians fearful after IS killing in Sinai The latest killing of a Christian man in Sinai by the Islamic State has brought back to Egypt's Christians memories of past attacks on churches by the terrorist group, even as the Coptic Orthodox Church appeared defiant. Egypt
Jerusalem seethes with clashes between Jews, Arabs The week has been violent in Jerusalem with both Israeli Jews and Arabs reportedly attacking each other in well documented incidents. Israel
New Israeli legislator smuggles Torah scroll for Women of the Wall One of the first actions of new Labor Knesset member Rabbi Gilad Kari was sneaking a Torah scroll into the Western Wall plaza for women activists to pray from. Israel
New ultra-Orthodox residents make Israel's Dimona nervous Many secular residents of the southern town of Dimona are afraid that new residents, families from the Gur Hasidic community, will change the character of their town. Israel
The lost Jewish surnames of Cairo An extensive list of the surnames of the Jewish families who lived in Cairo has been published, helping tell stories across generations. Egypt
Syria’s Armenian community resilient, but faces uncertain future Syrian Armenians, despite the fragility of their presence in the region, are determined to stay and rebuild. Syria
Pope's pilgrimage to Iraq and land of Abraham begins The first-ever papal visit to Iraq starts as Pope Francis lands in Baghdad. Iraq
Israelis blame ultra-Orthodox for coronavirus pandemic Many secular Israelis express hatred towards the ultra-Orthodox, whom they blame for the continuing coronavirus pandemic. Israel
