Trump’s AI Gaza video elicits mockery from Middle East social media users The US president’s video depicting a future Gaza under American authority was widely shared on Arabic and Hebrew social media, with many Palestinian users criticizing it. Palestine
In first since regime fall, Syria’s Asma al-Assad breaks silence: What to know In a series of posts on an X account attributed to her, Syria’s former first lady Asma al-Assad wished the Syrian people safety and said she will not intervene in political issues in the future. Syria
After sharing escape plan, Hafez Bashar al-Assad's alleged X account suspended The son of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad posted about his family’s final days in Damascus before the rebel takeover. Syria
Turkey’s proposed ‘foreign agent’ law threatens press freedom, critics say The bill is seen as a major blow to the already weak independent civil society organizations in Turkey. Turkey
Analysis Telegram CEO's arrest spotlights UAE’s investment-based citizenship laws By Jennifer Gnana In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics
Prominent writer unleashes controversy around sexuality in Turkey In a recent Ted Talks presentation, Turkish writer Elif Shafak admitted being bisexual, spurring a backlash on social media. Turkey
Lebanon launches suicide hotline to raise awareness about mental health In light of social stigma and limited health care, a Lebanese NGO is launching a suicide hotline to help people suffering from mental illnesses overcome their problems. Lebanon
Can animated film sensitize Israelis to suffering in Gaza? A human rights organization has produced a short animated film about a girl in a candy factory to explain the conditions in Gaza caused by the blockade. Palestine
Egyptian women speak out amid global focus on sexual harassment While social media campaigns are giving voice to many hitherto voiceless women in Egypt, much remains to be done about sexual harassment in the country. Egypt
Anti-US rhetoric helps Erdogan build smokescreens Years of anti-American propaganda help the Turkish president divert blame and discredit damaging news from the West — for example, anything incriminating that might emerge from high-profile cases in the United States involving Iran sanctions. Turkey
Did Khamenei block Rouhani’s science minister? Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has finally introduced two names for the Science Ministry and Energy Ministry positions, although the battles appear to be far from over. Iran
Libyan activists team up with Al-Azhar to tackle extremism A group of Libyan activists are working alongside Egypt’s Al-Azhar to protect religious clerics defending moderate Islam in Libya from extremist attacks. Libya
Palestinians keep wary eye on reconciliation agreement Several Palestinian groups have taken to the streets of the West Bank and Gaza to pressure Hamas and Fatah to swiftly implement the recent reconciliation agreement in light of past failures. Palestine
Turkish court accepts 'absurd' indictment of rights activists Amnesty International's Turkey leaders are among 11 human rights defenders indicted on terror charges for holding a workshop on information security and stress management, and the trial is set to begin Oct. 25. Turkey
How Egyptian activists are trying to curb polygamy A number of activists launched a Facebook campaign to add a new condition in marriage contracts, requiring the first wife’s permission for her husband’s second marriage. Egypt
Will Israel finally take responsibility for kidnapped Yemeni babies? Over the last year, the long-running affair of Israeli-Yemenite babies kidnapped and put up for adoption has risen on the public and political agendas. Yemen
Egypt raising awareness about mental illness The Ministry of Health and Population has launched a campaign to raise awareness of mental illness and to challenge the social stigma surrounding it. Egypt
