Human rights

Defendant Wassim al-Assad appears before the Fourth Criminal Court during the opening session of his trial in Damascus on June 24, 2026.

Syria opens trial of Wassim al-Assad, cousin of ousted president: What we know

The trial follows another session in the case against Atef Najib, also a cousin of former President Bashar al-Assad, as Syrian authorities continue prosecuting figures linked to the former regime and its remnants.

Demonstrators take part in a rally against the upcoming NATO Summit early July in Ankara, on June 13, 2026.

Turkey detains 233 ahead of NATO summit, including LGBTQ+ activist Yildiz Tar

The operation included alleged militant suspects as well as LGBTQ+ and leftist activists, raising concerns over the scope of the crackdown.

Hassan Akkad speaks about fleeing Syria in 2015 and his work as a filmmaker at a BAFTA event, Sept. 2023.

Culture

In Syria, detention of Hassan Akkad raises alarm about free expression under Sharaa

Akkad, a British-Syrian filmmaker, was detained Wednesday night after his campaign questioning the whereabouts of funds allegedly pledged for relief, reconstruction and community initiatives across Syria.

Israeli security forces attempt to disperse Palestinians who had gathered to protest the reported burning of land by Israeli settlers in the Palestinian village of Idna, west of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, on June 5, 2026.

Amnesty International accuses Israel of state-led ethnic cleansing in West Bank

In a new report, Amnesty International said that the escalating forced displacement and settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank is part of a state-led campaign to control the Palestinian territory.

Latest News

Interview

As Sudan war drags on, US-Iran conflict compounds humanitarian crisis in Darfur

Janti Soeripto helps at a community kitchen serving hot meals to displaced families arriving from El-Fasher.

Janti Soeripto

President and CEO of Save the Children US

Israel's Netanyahu suing New York Times over column on Palestinian rape

Syria arrests Amjad Youssef, Tadamoun massacre perpetrator: What to know

A young man stands in the entrance of tunnels that were used by the ISIS and the Assad's regime for fighting. Tadamon, Syria, February 7, 2025. (Photo by Raghed Waked / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by RAGHED WAKED/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon bids farewell to Amal Khalil, journalist killed by Israel: What to know

Amal Khalil, a veteran correspondent for the daily newspaper Al-Akhbar, in the southern Lebanese border village of Jebbayn in 2024.

UN Special Rapporteur for the Palestinians Francesca Albanese.

Interview

Israel’s occupation has crossed the ‘red line of legality,’ says new UN rapporteur

In an interview with Al-Monitor, the newly appointed UN special rapporteur for the Palestinians, Francesca Albanese, speaks about her plans to address human rights violations in the Palestinian territories, while fending off a smear campaign launched against her by Israel.

Francesca Albanese

Francesca Albanese

UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories

Tunisia

Biden's budget proposal would slash military aid to Tunisia

Tunisia's president further cemented his hold on power this week as US lawmakers urged the Biden administration to scrutinize its security aid to the country.

Le Point

International, domestic groups ring alarms on human rights in Turkey

Two reports, one from Amnesty International and another from Turkey’s Association of Journalists, have again drawn attention to Turkey’s deteriorating record on freedom of expression.

Guests attend the opening ceremony of the annual Future Investment Initiative conference.

Saudi Arabia announces $600 million in new investment from startups, venture capitalist

Foreign direct investment in Saudi Arabia slowed later in 2021 after a promising start, and some entities are reluctant to invest there due to the human rights situation.

People walk past the Caglayan Justice Palace courthouse in Istanbul on March 21, 2022.

Turkish court keeps philanthropist in prison ahead of final verdict in April

Renowned philanthropist and peace advocate Osman Kavala's detention is extended after his case was adjourned.

KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Lawmakers call for probe as arms purchasers target US-based dissidents

Democratic lawmakers are seeking a congressional watchdog study on how the State Department is tracking extraterritorial harassment by countries that benefit from US security assistance or arms, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

F-15

Biden administration plans to sell F-15 fighter jets to Egypt

The proposed sale has been in the works for years and is bound to raise opposition on Capitol Hill.

FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images

US concerned after Moroccan court upholds journalist’s sentence

The State Department said it was "concerned with the judicial process" that led to Omar Radi's six-year sentence.

Tunisia

Biden urged to put strings on Tunisia aid amid democratic backslide

A letter from some 50 activists, academics and former diplomats calls for the Biden administration to condition certain assistance to Tunisia on steps toward democratic governance.

Turkish-backed policemen man a checkpoint in the northwestern Syrian city of Afrin on March 31, 2018.

Infighting between Islamist, Turkish-backed armed groups continues in north Syria

Infighting between Turkish-backed factions in north Syria continues despite pleas by civilians, with most recently dozens of members of the civilian police resigning in response to a shootout with the military police that left two of its members wounded.

The Freedom Initiative photo.

Rights group adds lobbying help to spotlight Egypt, Saudi abuses

Political prisoner advocacy group Freedom Initiative is deploying Washington lobbyists to amplify its message on the Hill.

Phil Mickelson at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club on Feb. 4, 2022, in Al Murooj, Saudi Arabia.

Explainer: the Phil Mickelson-Saudi Arabia golf controversy

Golfer Phil Mickelson called Saudis “scary” in a recently surfaced interview. The fallout exposed a riff in the golf community over a Saudi-funded league that aims to compete with the PGA Tour, which has been criticized for its treatment of players.