All Middle East
Jordan’s royal wedding: Joy, politics, and an eye toward the kingdom’s futureRoyal weddings often highlight tradition and history. In Jordan, celebrations around its crown prince’s nuptials are all about the future.
In Turkey, secular women alarmed about future under new Erdoğan termLiberal Turkish women fear President Erdoğan’s election victory will spell further setbacks for women’s rights. Their devout Muslim sisters disagree.
The secret behind Jordan’s national dish? A ‘yogurt that unites.’Jordan’s national dish, comprising roast lamb, cracked wheat, and hot yogurt sauce, depends on close cooperation among farmers and shepherds.
First LookTurkey's Erdoğan wins reelection, beating close challengerWith almost all votes counted, Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared victory in a runoff election, extending his 20 years as president.
First LookTaliban waging war against women, rights groups say in call for actionReport by two human rights groups, including Amnesty, says Taliban treatment of women is gender-based persecution, a crime against humanity. Imprisonment, torture cited in call to international community to take legal action.
Why quakes that razed homes may raise up Turkey’s ErdoğanExpectations that a weak response to earthquakes would cost the Turkish government votes proved false. Political preferences have become identities.
First LookTurkey’s runoff presidential election: Is democracy at stake?Two opposing visions for Turkey’s future are on the ballot when voters return to the polls Sunday for a runoff presidential election. The election will decide between an increasingly authoritarian incumbent and a pro-democracy challenger.
Cover StoryCan the oil industry help address climate change? Saudi Arabia says yes.The effort to abate climate change has a new player: Saudi Arabia. Yet some doubt the world’s second-largest oil producer will strike the right balance between current needs and future necessities.
Turkish opposition clings to election hopes against the oddsTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is well placed to win the second round of presidential elections, but his opponents are not giving up hope.
First LookDubai's lunar dream: A $5 billion leap to the skiesDubai’s $5 billion real estate project plans to build a 900-foot replica of the moon to elevate the city’s grandeur even further. Fueled by pandemic refugees and Russians escaping conflict, Dubai’s hot real estate market supports ambitious architecture.
Arab states see a path to progress through Syria. It could be bumpy.Fresh diplomacy in the Middle East is reforging Syria’s ties to the Arab world. Each has something the other wants. But will Damascus play ball?
‘Saudi First’: Why kingdom’s bailouts of allies now carry a price tagFor decades, Saudi Arabia served as Arab nations’ go-to destination for emergency bailouts. But as the kingdom moves toward a post-oil economy, it’s taking a more transactional approach to aid.
First LookPresident Erdoğan leads Turkey’s election, headed into runoffTurkey’s presidential elections are heading for a runoff. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has ruled his country with a firm grip for 20 years, holds a momentary lead over his challenger but has fallen short of outright securing a third decade.
First LookIsraeli cease-fire with Gaza militants appears to hold, despite tensionsWhile the cease-fire appeared to bring relief to Gaza’s people after days of bombing, the agreement did nothing to address the underlying issues that have fueled Israeli-Palestinian fighting over the years.
Will Erdoğan survive Turkey election? Youth vote may hold key.Turkey’s first-time voters, 8% of the electorate, may decide Sunday’s elections, pitting strongman President Erdoğan against a diverse coalition.
First LookGaza and Israel fire more rockets. Can Egypt broker peace?Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed a fourth militant commander, bringing the death toll to 25 in this latest round of fighting. Rocket attacks on southern Israel persist despite Egyptian efforts to broker a cease-fire, as West Bank tensions keep spiking.
First LookUnveiled and unbowed: Iranian women resist hijab lawMore women are choosing not to wear the mandatory hijab publicly in Iran. Such open defiance of the law follows months of protests over Mahsa Amini, a woman who died in the custody of the country’s morality police for wearing her hijab too loosely.
First LookSyria's admission back into Arab League exposes member divisionsAfter a 12-year suspension due to President Bashar al-Assad’s responsibility in the Syrian civil war, Syria has been readmitted to the Arab League. Some countries in the region remain skeptical about readmitting Damascus without solving ongoing conflicts.
Will Turkish elections lead to greater press freedom?Harsh restrictions on press freedom in Turkey have left independent media decimated. Many journalists hope the opposition will win upcoming elections.
Israel at 75: Can a divided nation reconcile its differences?For months, Israelis have protested proposed judicial reforms. But as events around Israel’s 75th anniversary made clear, the divisions roiling its society are even more fundamental.
