All Middle East
Cover StoryEgyptian archaeologists hold their own history in their handsFor decades, as archaeologists dug into the history buried in the Valley of the Kings, Egyptians were laborers, never discoverers. Not on this dig.
First LookEmpathy without borders: Israelis crowdfund to help PalestiniansAfter Israeli settlers torched the Palestinian town Hawara, an Israeli-led fundraising campaign collected hundreds of thousands of dollars to help Palestinians. “The majority of the Jews are against extremism, against racism," said fundraiser Yaya Fink.
Coffee without end: Oasis village tests limits of hospitalityHow generous is too generous? In the Saudi oasis village of Jubbah, where doors are never closed, a hospitality that once served as a lifeline for desert travelers pushes guests’ capacities to the limits.
Diplomacy vs. violence: Israeli-Palestinian talks face immediate testJordan hosted the highest-level Israeli-Palestinian talks in years, but violence, hate speech, and leadership woes are exposing the limits of traditional diplomacy in polarized times.
First LookIraq builds hope and peace, 20 years after ousting Saddam HusseinIraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid says he wants the world to know that his country now is at peace, nearly 20 years after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. While rebuilding its economy and agriculture, Iraq still faces weak infrastructure and corruption.
First LookTensions spike with deadly Israeli raid in the West BankIn a rare daytime raid in the occupied West Bank, Israeli troops on Wednesday targeted the city of Nablus, a scene of frequent military activity. More than 50 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank and east Jerusalem since the start of 2023.
Green spring in Saudi Arabia? It’s the season of the grass-hoppers.How far would you go for a picnic? In Saudi Arabia, for travelers from near and far, rare desert blooms after perfectly timed winter rains offer much-needed greenery, tranquility, and joy.
First LookProtests in Iran: A call for change from the holiest Shiite capitalIranian clerics are calling for a lighter touch from authorities when dealing with protestors. About 19,600 protestors have been detained and 528 killed in Iran since the death of Mahsa Amin. “They should have been enlightened and guided,” says one cleric.
In Israel, streets swell with an urgent battle cry: ‘Democracy!’The Israeli battle over proposed laws to weaken the judiciary is spurring warnings of a national emergency and a sense of disbelief among protesters that democracy is being threatened.
First LookIs the Taliban fracturing? High-level leader criticizes regime.A recent speech from a high-level Taliban official could hint at an eroding monolith of the autocratic rule in Afghanistan. “Monopolizing power and hurting the reputation of the entire system are not to our benefit,” said Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani.
After quake, Syrians lost outside aid. They’re working to help themselves.The Feb. 6 earthquake in Turkey rocked rebel-held northwest Syria as well. Locals are doing the best they can to deal with the disaster, but aid is in short supply due to the region's isolation.
As Turks look at collapsed buildings, anger at government growsPresident Erdoğan won broad support in Turkey for his building and modernization projects. But critics of the government say sensible precautions were ignored in a rush to build in a quake-prone zone.
First Look‘No to dictatorship’: Israelis oppose judicial, legislative changesIsraelis are protesting a bill from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that would alter the structure of the country’s legal system. Mr. Netanyahu, who faces corruption charges, is weakening judicial authority to his benefit, critics say.
First LookSurvivors still being found five days after Turkey quakeThe death toll has now topped 25,000, but rescuers saved at least nine people, including a family of five, from the rubble on Saturday.
Iran has largely crushed protests, but a spirit of defiance still burnsAnti-regime protests in Iran have ebbed and flowed. For now, fierce public expressions that harnessed women’s outrage have been brutally suppressed, but the resolve to find a path to change hasn’t.
On security, Israeli leaders’ words speak louder than their actionsIsrael’s leaders promised to improve citizens’ safety. Yet amid recent deadly violence, rhetoric threatening even harsher security measures keeps the peril of an even worse explosion in plain sight.
‘Is it a sin to learn?’ Afghan women grapple with Taliban edicts.Many young women had expected to contribute to Afghan society as trained professionals, so the Taliban’s clampdown on girls’ and women’s education comes as both a shock and a challenge.
First LookGlobal unity: Nearly 30 countries send aid to Turkey and SyriaRescue workers are rushing to Turkey and Syria following the series of earthquakes that have claimed more than 5,000 lives. “This is a crisis on top of multiple crises in the affected region,” said an officer with the World Health Organization.
First LookRescue workers act after massive earthquakes shake Turkey, SyriaA 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey and Syria early Monday morning, killing at least 2,300 and leaving hundreds trapped. Rescue workers have searched building remains for survivors, while residents work together to evacuate and bring people to safety.
First Look'We’re here to stay': Israeli settler population surpasses 500KThere are now currently more than 500,000 Israeli settlers living in the West Bank, a recent report says. That number is expected to rise even higher under Israel’s incoming ultranationalist administration.
