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
Diyarbakir book fair returns after 4-year hiatus Diyarbakir’s book fair, one of the main cultural events of the region, had been stopped due to security reasons in 2015. Now that it is back, thousands of residents from Diyarbakir and region came to pick up a book or two. Turkey
Iranian civic rights activists challenge authorities with hunger strikes Iranian authorities are increasingly challenged by a wave of hunger strikes conducted by civic rather than political activists. Iran
Intimidation, persecution of Iranian lawyers won’t halt dissent Iran's lawyers face tight restrictions and countless obstacles from the government, especially those who dare to work security and political cases. Iran
Turkish court keeps former NASA scientist in prison NASA scientist Serkan Golge, in jail on coup-plot charges, lost an initial appeal to a Turkish court. His wife believes he is a captive in Ankara’s feud with Washington, which has flexed diplomatic and economic muscle to free another jailed American. Turkey
Ankara oddly quiet on China's alleged torture of Uighurs The Turkish public used to speak out loudly and often against suppressive Chinese policies against Uighur Turks, but now the media, the public and the government are keeping mum. Turkey
Jailed Palestinian writer pens story for children of prisoners Behind bars since the age of 25, 57-year-old Palestinian writer Walid Daqqa sends out a message of hope in a book for children of parents caught in prison or the wider occupied territories. Palestine
Can this Egyptian actor's photo in bed with another man send him to prison? Egyptian actor Khaled Abol Naga posted an artistic photo of himself in bed with another man, and he may now face a ban from the Cinematic Syndicate and time in prison. Egypt
Is 'The Wedding' new beginning for LGBTQ cinema in Egypt? Film director Sam Abbas' "The Wedding," which tells the story of a gay man forced into a heterosexual marriage, will be screened privately and by invitation only in the Middle East, making the already controversial movie even more controversial. Egypt
UN war crimes report threatens US support for Yemen war A UN report alleging that the anti-Houthi coalition may have carried out war crimes could further erode support for US bomb sales and military support. Saudi Arabia
Thousands left stateless in Iran amid ID card limbo Thousands of mainly ethnic Balochs are deprived of access to basic government services in Iran as they are formally stateless without state-issued ID cards. Iran
Genocide still haunts Iraq's Yazidis Four years after the genocide against them, Yazidis mark its anniversary without a noticeable improvement in their situation. Iraq
Palestinian girls nurture 'Flower' magazine behind bars Two years ago, a small group of teenage Palestinian girls created a secret magazine inside their Israeli prison. Now, they hope to revive it. Palestine
