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
Blue and White gets rare second chance in politics New elections present a credible opportunity for the Blue and White to form the next government if it changes its attitude toward working with Israel's Arab minority. Israel
Iranian MPs move to grant citizenship to children of foreign fathers Iranian lawmakers passed a bill that would grant citizenship to children in Iran born to Iranian mothers and foreign fathers. If approved by the Guardian Council, the bill would put an end to years of discrimination against women in the country’s nationality law. Iran
Ankara backs some Turkmens in Iraqi politics, shuns others By ostracizing Turkmen politicians who supported the 2017 independence referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan, Turkey could be shooting itself in the foot. Iraq
Ultra-Orthodox set sights on Housing, Welfare portfolios The ultra-Orthodox population is poor and faces a housing crisis, which has led their elected representatives to demand welfare and housing portfolios as conditions for joining the next government. Israel
Tunisia's indigenous Amazighs launch their first political party The Akal civil movement, which defends the rights of Amazighs in Tunisia, is entering the political arena. Tunisia
Israeli-Arabs key to returning the center-left to power Comparing Israel’s demographic profile with the results of the recent election show that large numbers of Israeli Arabs not voting, some due to intimidation, had a dramatic impact on the political map. Israel
Turkey polishes Iraqi relations, champions Turkmen in politics The Turkish foreign minister's recent visit to Baghdad and Erbil included a push for appointing Turkmens to Cabinet positions in Iraq. Iraq
Is the Palestinian social fabric at risk of tearing? A recent local incident on the West Bank required the attention of the national leadership to tamp it down, leading some to wonder it if portends trouble ahead for the Palestinian social fabric, which has to this point been distinguished by its unity. Palestine
Iraq's plans to take census raise controversy The central government's plans to undertake a census late next year have raised the concerns of groups in multicultural Iraqi cities such as Kirkuk. Iraq
More Druze risk prison to reject military service in Israel A campaign launched years ago continues to have an impact as more Arab Druze in Israel are refusing to join the army despite the risk of imprisonment. Palestine
Trump pressed to punish Saudi Arabia over religious intolerance A federal commission on religious freedom wants the president to end a decadelong pass for Riyadh. Saudi Arabia
Christians in northeastern Syria seek to revive Easter spirit following IS ouster After the fall of IS, Easter celebrations were held in only in some northeastern Syrian areas. Syria