Interview Minister warns aid cuts to Lebanon risk empowering Hezbollah Lebanese Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayed warns of resurgent sectarian tensions as Israeli strikes drive mass displacement into overcrowded Beirut. Haneen Sayyed Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs
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
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
Culture 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
