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
Egypt's ‘Eissa’ debuts at Cannes with spotlight on Africa’s refugee community Egyptian critics and activists praised "I Promise You Paradise," a short film directed by Egyptian director Morad Mostafa, highlighting untold stories of immigrants living in Egypt, with a focus on African refugees. Egypt
Egypt’s economy braces for new hit from Sudan conflict Egypt fears that a prolonged conflict in Sudan, a major market for its exports, will add to its economic hardships. Egypt
US Congresswoman Tlaib holds event for Palestinian Nakba Day in Senate The top Republican in the House tried to cancel the event to commemorate the Palestinian displacement of 1948, but Senator Bernie Sanders stepped in to help the outspoken congresswoman. Palestine
Islamic State women use children as 'sex tools,' Syrian Kurdish officials say Officials in northeast Syria tell Al-Monitor that women in Islamic State internment camps are forcing young boys to impregnate women as part of an alleged IS campaign to "go forth and multiply." Syria
Analysis Assad will demand high price for return of refugees Arab League at risk of getting caught between US and Syria over sanctions policy. By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti
Syrian refugees abused, shot at by Turkey's border guards: HRW report Syrian refugees are under mounting pressure in Turkey as the president seeks to mend ties with the Syrian government. Syria
Lebanon deports dozens of Syrian refugees amid spike in racist rhetoric The deportation of more than 50 Syrians to the war-torn country comes amid growing anti-Syrian sentiment in Lebanon. Lebanon
Jordan proposes Syria peace plan during Arab FM Saudi meeting The plan includes steps to tackle the refugee crisis and smuggling across borders. Jordan
UNRWA staff in Gaza strike as demands remain unmet UNRWA schools and clinics in the besieged enclave were closed as the agency failed to meet its staff’s demands. Palestine
Clashes in Lebanon’s Palestinian refugee camp as security void looms The UN recently warned that poverty and crime is on the rise in the camp due to the Lebanese economic crisis. Lebanon
After Syria earthquake, Saudi Arabia is linchpin to Assad's normalization If Assad’s earthquake diplomacy succeeds in improving relations with Saudi Arabia, the path to Syria's normalization in Arab politics will be wide open. Syria
Syrian refugees in Lebanon turn to TikTok 'begging' for money TikTok has allowed thousands of refugees in Lebanon to beg for money from donors online by exposing their children and poor conditions to the outside world, a method that heightens the risk of exploitation and human-trafficking. Lebanon
