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
UK appeals court says woman in Syria unlawfully stripped of citizenship The woman, who is living in the Al-Roj camp in northeast Syria, had sought repatriation to the United Kingdom. Syria
Rare snowstorm hits Iraq and Syria Many people in the Kurdistan Region rejoiced while playing in the snow, but such conditions can be dangerous for others, especially those living in displaced people camps. Iraq
UN agency seeks urgent support for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon The UNRWA said $87.5 million in new funding is needed to continue operations in crisis-ravaged Lebanon. Palestine
The Takeaway: Did Israeli PM help break deadlock over US weapons sale to UAE? Also: The Gulf and climate; Syrian refugees return from Belarus; Israel expands Golan settlements; Egypt wants assurances on gas pipeline; China-Ethiopia ties unsettle Egypt; Iran threatens sanctions on US; Building Sharjah … all in less than 1,200 words! By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn , Joe Snell
US, Palestinian officials hold first economic dialogue in five years The US-Palestinian Economic Dialogue covered infrastructure development, access to US markets, US regulations, free trade and other financial issues. News Brief
Would-be Syrian refugees flown back from Belarus despite visas Belarus has given Syrians two options: cross the border into Poland or be deported. Syria
Iraq repatriates more citizens from Belarus The Kurdistan Regional Government previously reported that it had helped bring more than 1,800 people home from the Belarus-Poland border. News Brief
Iraqi Kurdistan continues repatriation flights from Belarus Thousands of migrants have gotten stuck at the Belarus-Poland border this winter, many of them Kurds from Iraq. News Brief
Iraqi Kurdistan brings home migrants trapped at Belarus-Poland border The Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq said its constituents were lured into emigrating by criminal smugglers. Iraq
Iraq to repatriate citizens stranded at Belarus border The Iraqi announcement came as the European Union said it would step up sanctions on the Belarusian government and some airlines. Iraq
Airlines suspend Belarus-bound travel for Middle East migrants Turkish Airlines and Iraqi Airlines restricting flights to Minsk for citizens of Iraq, Syria and Yemen. Turkey
Intel: Qatar to represent US diplomatic interests in Afghanistan Qatar will act as the formal diplomatic messenger between Afghanistan's Taliban leaders and Washington. Qatar
