Sweden summons Iranian ambassador over dual national sentence The Iranian-Swedish national was arrested during Iran’s June war with Israel for allegedly spying on Israel’s behalf. Iran
Analysis Militant merger in Iran’s Baluchistan signals new threat to Tehran The group’s outreach to broader ethnic communities reflects a strategic bid for wider legitimacy and a role in the wider struggle against the Islamic Republic. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Culture World Cup: Iran fumes over LGBTQ+ themes as Jordan qualifies for first time Morocco is hoping to build on its historic run in 2022, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and others in the region similarly vying to build on recent successes. Iran
Feature A year since Assad’s fall, Aleppo trial tests Syria’s transitional justice Syria recently launched its first open trial on the deadly sectarian violence in March, but questions about judicial independence and political influence make the upcoming hearings a major test of accountability in post-Assad Syria as the first anniversary of Assad’s fall approaches. By Alessandra Bajec
Egypt's secret police arrest second prominent human rights activist this week Karim Ennarah is the third member of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights to be detained this year. Egypt
Should Turkish justice minister's comments fuel hope for release of philanthropist Osman Kavala? Turkish Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul spoke out against the widespread practice of arbitrary detentions Friday, fueling speculation that Turkish philanthropist and civic activist Osman Kavala, who has been in jail for more than three years on a slew of outlandish charges, may be finally freed. Turkey
How Biden will roll back Trump’s ‘America First’ legacy on foreign aid Early foreign aid priorities for the new administration will include restoring aid to the Palestinians and potentially Yemen. United States
Biden's election victory draws mixed reactions in Egypt News of Biden's election victory has been met with both elation and dismay in Egypt. Pro-democracy activists are hoping a Biden presidency would ease the repression in Egypt while government supporters fear Biden will push for inclusion of the Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt
G20 should press Saudi Arabia on jailed activists, rights group says Pressure is building on Riyadh ahead of the annual G20 summit later this month. Saudi Arabia
Oman’s reform plans worry activists Large budget deficits have forced Oman to accelerate the pace of economic reforms, which some activists fear are not addressing restrictions on political expression. Oman
Egyptians outraged over some schools forcing girls to wear the hijab A 13-year-old girl was recently forced to wear the hijab at her school in Egypt, which prompted a wave of condemnation that revealed similar practices across the country. Egypt
Iran investigates case of man killed in police custody Investigators have opened a case against a police officer who pepper-sprayed and tased a man who died on the way to the hospital. Iran
Democratic senators demand inquiry into alleged Turkish and Azerbaijani human rights abuses Turkey has responded to some of the recent criticisms it has received from Democrats in Washington. The recent call from the Senate focuses Turkish support for Azerbaijan in the war with Armenia. Turkey
Hundreds of European Union lawmakers demand Egypt’s Sisi release political prisoners The letter follows a similar one addressed to Sisi by 56 members of the US Congress on Monday. Egypt
Intel: Congress urges Egypt’s president to release political prisoners More than 50 US members of the US Congress called for Egyptian journalists, lawyers and rights activists to be released in a letter addressed directly to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Egypt
Senate Democrats urge Library of Congress to recognize Armenian genocide Democratic Senators said the library should follow Congress and rebuke the Trump administration by referring to the killings of Armenians in Turkey in the early 20th century as a "genocide." Turkey
