Taliban slams Iran after 1.8M Afghans deported in past 3 months: What to know Iran-Afghanistan relations have improved in some respects in recent years, though the increasing deportations of Afghans from the Islamic Republic is creating tensions. Iran
Analysis How Iran’s Afghan expulsions signal new era in national security policing Iran is deporting Afghan migrants at record speed in a crackdown driven by postwar security strategies, a move which risks diplomatic fallout with the Taliban, labor disruptions in Iran and a deepening humanitarian crisis across the border. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Syria to reopen war-damaged border crossing with Lebanon: What we know The move comes as the new authorities in both Lebanon and Syria work to ensure border security and better relations. Syria
Israel expands Gaza buffer zone to 20% as humanitarian situation deteriorates Israel’s expanded buffer zone will cut off Gaza from Egypt and further partition the Strip, as the humanitarian crisis in the territory deepens. Palestine
Feature Fearing for safety, Syria's Alawites who fled to Lebanon have no plans to return By Katya Hovnanian-Alexanian
Analysis Could Israel's West Bank operation lead to annexation long sought by right? By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
From Saudi Arabia to Australia and China, world leaders denounce Trump’s plan to 'take over' Gaza Palestine
Highlights: Al-Monitor/Semafor Middle East Global Summit The Al-Monitor & Semafor inaugural Middle East Global Summit on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings on Wednesday brought together the region’s leaders, newsmakers and business heads. Jordan
UN mulls green Islamic bonds to fund climate change refugee projects The United Nations is reportedly interested in issuing Islamic bonds to help those displaced by climate change. Legacy: Gulf
Analysis Normalizing Assad won’t solve Syrian refugee crisis Even restoring the country to the pre-war status quo is unlikely to entice many refugees to return. By Nadia Almasalkhi , Shelly Culbertson
Saudi forces have killed hundreds of Ethiopian migrants at Yemen border: report Saudi Arabia's border security forces are accused of "widespread and systematic" killing of Ethiopian migrants crossing from Yemen in what Human Rights Watch says could constitute crimes against humanity. Legacy: Gulf
Why are UAE, Saudi, other Gulf countries issuing Lebanon travel warnings? Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and also Germany and the United Kingdom issued similar travel warnings over the fighting that began July 29 between Fatah and hard-line Islamists at Lebanon's Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp. Legacy: Gulf
Fire engulfs Syrian refugee camp in Lebanon as plight grows Syrians in Lebanon face arbitrary arrests, raids and deportation. Lebanon
EU, Tunisia ink 'strategic partnership' to help economy, stem migrants It comes after weeks of talks between the two parties about the EU providing around 1 billion euros in aid, which would be dependent on Tunisia's IMF bailout. Tunisia
In first for Turkey, National Security Council addresses Syrian refugee return Turkey’s National Security Council has openly expressed the need for international support for Syrian refugees to return home. Turkey
France arrests 'Syrian asylum seeker' in Annecy stabbing attack French authorities are still investigating whether the attack this morning at a park in the southeastern French town was a terror act or not. Syria
Al-Monitor/Premise Turkey poll: Erdogan, Kilicdaroglu statistically tied in election runoff The poll found the economy, refugees and justice stand out as the top three issues that the country faces, with 71% of respondents favoring an imminent return of refugees in the country. Turkey
Turkey Elections: Runoff becomes tug of war over Syrian refugees As Turkey heads for its presidential runoff, the opposition and the government are in a race to send Syrians and other refugees back home in an effort to woo nationalist voters. Turkey
Syria's Assad lands in Saudi Arabia seeking financial incentives at Arab summit Robert Ford, the last US ambassador to Syria, said the Jeddah summit will likely end with “nice promises” in front of the cameras but a different outcome in reality as normalization with Assad, overriding sanctions and the return of refugees face mounting hurdles. Saudi Arabia
