Who is Alaa Abd el-Fattah, iconic Arab Spring activist pardoned in Egypt? Abd el-Fattah is one of numerous activists to be imprisoned in Egypt and his case has drawn condemnation from the UN and the British government. Egypt
Turkey’s spy chief in Damascus as Israel, Syria weigh new security map Ibrahim Kalin’s visit comes as Israel presses Syria on a buffer zone plan and Turkey frets over Kurdish autonomy. Turkey
Three years after Mahsa Amini's death, Iran faces movement it can't crush Three years after an Iranian woman’s death in hijab police custody sparked the “Women, Life, Freedom” women’s rights movement, the Iranian regime is faltering under mounting crises. Iran
Israel lays siege to West Bank's Tulkarm after military vehicle hit by explosive device Israeli troops sealed off entrances to the city of Tulkarm after an explosion hit a military vehicle as months of raids and mass displacement continue in the city’s refugee camps. Palestine
Fears mount over fate of missing Turkmen dissidents in Turkey The pair vanished after being released from a Turkish deportation center, prompting concerns they were abducted or secretly returned to Turkmenistan. Turkey
Iran executions double to 625 as parliament mulls harsher espionage penalties The United Nations said executions so far this year stand at 625, at the least, more than double the number for the same period last year. Iran
What to make of Egypt's removal of Alaa Abdel-Fattah from terror list An Egyptian court has removed a prominent jailed activist from the country's terrorism list amid scrutiny over Egypt’s human rights record under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Egypt
Sharaa reportedly mulls action against Lebanon over Syrian prisoners Reports that Syria's interim president is threatening action over thousands of Syrians still held in Lebanese prisons have revived the long-standing issue. Syria
Rebuking 5-year sentence, France urges Algeria to pardon Sansal: What to know France-Algeria relations have deteriorated recently, marked by expulsions of diplomats and tensions over Moroccan control of Western Sahara, migration and more. Algeria
Over 170 global NGOs call for end of US-backed GHF operations in Gaza More than 170 major nongovernmental organizations called for the immediate end to the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, amid the rising death toll near its distribution centers in Gaza. Palestine
From Qom to Gilan, over 500 arrested in Iran as war with Israel continues Iranian authorities have launched a wave of arrests against individuals suspected of working for Israeli intelligence, with dozens detained across Iran since the Iran-Israel war broke out on June 13. Iran
Trump travel ban 2.0: Assessing the impact on Mideast nations Trump’s new decision excludes Syria and Iraq, both of which were part of his previous ban issued during his first term in 2017. Syria
Saudi Arabia releases Iranian cleric who criticized Hajj: What to know Iran-Saudi Arabia relations have improved in recent years, including in Hajj-related cooperation, though tensions remain over Iran’s regional policies. Saudi Arabia
Gaza ceasefire seen imminent as Witkoff finalizes Hamas-Israel deal Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told relatives of hostages held in Gaza that he accepts the recent proposal by American envoy Steve Witkoff, which is expected to secure the release of 10 abductees and establish a two-month ceasefire in Gaza. Israel
Rise in antisemitism in US, Europe preceded Washington shooting: What to know In the United States, Europe, Canada and Australia, the number and severity of antisemitic incidents continue to rise. Israel
Amid thaw with Baku, Iran executes citizen behind Azerbaijani Embassy attack Iran has executed the gunman behind a 2023 shooting at Azerbaijan’s embassy in Tehran, bringing closure to a crisis that had severely strained bilateral ties. Iran
