Analysis Why Germany may struggle to meet Merz’s 80% Syria repatriation goal Germany, which hosts the EU’s largest Syrian refugee population, is pushing to repatriate Syrians, but Syria’s domestic issues and legal protections for asylum seekers complicate those efforts. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
From Egypt to Lebanon: What’s at stake for regional states on Trump’s visa ban list? The State Department claimed that citizens from the affected countries are more likely to use social welfare services at a high rate. Algeria
Clashes and protests in Lebanon over Syria's anniversary: What we know As celebrations erupted in Lebanon to commemorate the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, Hezbollah supporters held counter-rallies. Lebanon
Interview UNRWA plans Turkey office to boost Gaza, Syria aid as pledges dip Speaking exclusively to Al-Monitor, UNRWA’s Tamara Alrifai said the upcoming Turkey office would help the agency to expand its operations not only in Gaza but also in Syria. Tamara Alrifai
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
Fleeing repression, Iran's Kurdish activists struggle to find refuge in Iraq The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has become a key escape route for an unknown number of Iranian Kurds fleeing brutal repression and torture in Iran, but most fail to find security and stability in Iraq. Iran
'We are in a very dangerous situation,' Kuwait's five sisters plead for help to stay in Turkey Five Kuwaiti sisters, including two minors, say they escaped domestic violence and sexual abuse, and are now beseeching Turkish authorities and civic groups for a safe life. Turkey
Even after the 'visa war,' the bad and the ugly lingers between EU, Global South Continuing immigration pressures complicate relations for both aging Europe and the nations to the south and east with booming populations. North Africa
'I do...I'm done': Divorce spikes among Syrian refugee women in Germany The transition to their new lives in Germany has led some Syrian women to end their marriages away from the prying eyes of their home communities. Syria
Water crisis worsens in Syria's Idlib as support dries up The "Goal" organization, which has been active in Syria since 2012, has stopped pumping water in villages and towns as support for it ends Syria
