Feature ISIS brides face uncertain future as Damascus clashes with Syria’s Kurds With Syrian government forces taking over nearby al-Hol and security breaking down, families of ISIS fighters at Roj Camp live in fear and uncertainty. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis Can newly unified Arab Israeli bloc bridge gaps to block Netanyahu next election? The move signals to their constituents that the four leaders can set aside differences to try to strengthen Arab representation in the Knesset. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
What Israel stands to lose in Syria-SDF agreement The agreement signed Jan. 18 for the integration of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces into the Syrian state will bolster not only Turkey, Israel’s foe, but also President Ahmed al-Sharaa while he negotiates a security deal with Israel. Israel
Syria’s Kurds accept sweetened ceasefire deal as US envoy Barrack declares SDF obsolete The ceasefire follows intense clashes and a rapid Syrian military advance in the Kurdish-held northeast, amid concerns over ISIS prisoners. Syria
US military negotiates handover of Syria's ISIS prisons as Kurds withdraw By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis Why Iran regime’s potential collapse spells more risk than benefit for Turkey By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis Hezbollah still dominant among Lebanon's Shiite, but ground is shifting By Karim Safieddine , Izzat Zahreddine
Constantinople Patriarch Bartholomew I set to meet Biden at White House The patriarch will also meet Ankara's US ambassador while in Washington. Turkey
Bennett’s government advances ultra-Orthodox public school system The new Israeli government focuses efforts on pushing forward and expanding an ultra-Orthodox public school system. Israel
Israeli budget approved in victory for Arab coalition party The big winner of the approval of Israel’s 2021 state budget is the leader of the Arab coalition party Ra’am, Mansour Abbas. Israel
War of words rages between Israeli-Arab coalition, opposition legislators The Joint List, which is part of the opposition, is apparently unhappy with the Ra’am Party, which is part of the coalition, getting so much media attention. Israel
Top Sunni cleric laments Iran's discrimination against minorities In his scathing criticism, Mawlawi Abdul-Hamid also recognized the ongoing protests in Khuzestan province, which in his view, should not be reduced to the water crisis. Iran
Affordable housing for Jaffa’s Arab residents: too little, too late With the prices of houses skyrocketing in the center of Israel, even projects designed for the low-income Arab population of Jaffa have become too expensive for them. Israel
Israeli government advances ground-breaking reform for private kosher certification New Religious Affairs Minister Matan Kahana is not afraid of the ultra-Orthodox parties; he advances an unprecedented reform on kosher certification. Israel
Controversial Arab-Israeli woman appointed to Knesset security panel Labor party legislator Ibtisam Mara’ana, lambasted over allegedly supporting Palestinian assailants, was appointed this week as member of the Knesset’s prestigious foreign and security affairs committee. Israel
Egyptian, Ethiopian churches clash over Deir al-Sultan in Jerusalem A crisis between the Egyptian and Ethiopian churches erupted over the ownership of Deir al-Sultan in Jerusalem. Egypt
Christians upset as Egyptian government ignores Easter Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly did not declare Easter an official holiday, upsetting many Egyptian Christians and human rights organizations. Egypt
Ultra-Orthodox blame own leadership for failing to prevent Meron stampede More and more decision-shapers within the ultra-Orthodox community are coming out against their own leadership, calling on authorities to thoroughly investigate the Mount Meron stampede. Israel
Israel marks national day of mourning after Mount Meron tragedy Flags were lowered to half-staff in Israel on May 2, as the country honored the 45 people who perished in the Mount Meron stampede on April 30. Israel
