Middle East churches, Al-Azhar, leaders mourn Pope Francis Pope Francis was praised by several regional leaders and churches, including Lebanon's Maronite Church and Iraqi officials, who noted his historic visit to Iraq in 2021. Lebanon
Pope Francis, voice for Middle East peace and first to visit Gulf, dies at 88 Pope Francis died on Monday after serving as pontiff for 11 years, advocating for human rights and inclusion in the Middle East and beyond. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Algeria-France crisis peaks as Algiers expels 12 diplomats: What we know A rift between Algeria and France has heated up on Monday as Algiers ordered a dozen French diplomats out of the country. Algeria
Feature Syrian Jews urge US sanctions relief to revive ancient community For Syria's Jewish diaspora, the country's economic crisis stands in the way of restoring their ancient heritage. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Analysis Are Lebanon, Syria ripe for peace with Israel or on cusp of more escalation? By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Feature Fearing for safety, Syria's Alawites who fled to Lebanon have no plans to return By Katya Hovnanian-Alexanian
Feature ‘Afraid of what’s next’: Alawites in Syria’s Homs on edge after revenge attacks By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Facing the music of the Holocaust in Turkey Turkey has long claimed that it has saved many Jews twice in history, but how true is that? Turkey
Will COVID-19 reshape ultra-Orthodox leadership? Public outrage against the ultra-Orthodox community is palpable in Israel for its members disobeying coronavirus restrictions against large gatherings. Israel
Egyptians feel demoralized by empty churches, mosques The decision to suspend collective prayers in mosques and churches was criticized by some Egyptians who feel deprived of spiritual support during hard times. Egypt
After Gantz, will Israeli Arabs ever return to the ballot box? Blue and White leader Benny Gantz forming a unity government with Benjamin Netanyahu has deflated the hopes of Arab Israelis of participating in national politics as equals, raising doubts that they will follow the urging of their representatives to take part in future elections. Israel
Turkish soccer team lands in political hot water The soccer team of Turkey’s largest Kurdish-majority city has become the target of nationalist animosity from rival fans as well as the government, which accuses the club of being linked to armed Kurdish militants. Turkey
Ultra-Orthodox leaders ignore coronavirus threat, endanger Israelis Ultra-Orthodox educational institutions continued to operate despite orders by the government to close all schools to try to control the spread of the novel coronavirus. Israel
Palestinians' electoral success in Israel can't be denied Palestinian citizens of Israel made a huge accomplishment in the latest Israel elections by winning an unprecedented 15 seats. Israel
Does Jewish-Arab partnership to form government stand a chance in Israel? The Likud is continuing its campaign of incitement against Arab party representatives to head off their helping form a minority government led by Blue and White. Israel
Will Israeli Arabs facilitate the ‘Netanyahu-removal government’? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears to believe that it is not a problem for Arab citizens to vote as long as they cast their ballots for the Likud, otherwise they should not have a voice in their governance. Israel
Egypt's Coptic philanthropist nominated for Nobel Prize Visits to the garbage slums of Cairo transformed Magda Gobran — a businesswoman and an academic with a comfortable life — to Mama Maggie of the poor. Egypt
Egypt bans Shiite websites to deter extremist ideologies An Egyptian court has banned Shiite websites and TV channels, under the pretext that they threaten national security, stirring controversy among Shiites in Egypt. Egypt
Meet the artist haunted by violent moments in Turkey, Lebanon Turkey's veteran artist Hale Tenger tackles coups, destruction and political assassinations in the Middle East, using marriage of poetry and images. Lebanon
