All Middle East
Facing new hardships, Lebanese weigh safety vs. ‘living this life’What happens when the needs for dignity and safety collide? As Lebanon crumbles, individuals are taking greater risks, invading banks and fleeing on boats; 100 died last week.
First Look'Bonfires with veils': Protests in Iran renew history of defianceWomen protesting the death of Mahsa Amini are targeting the compulsory veil – something central to the identity of Iran’s Islamic cleric-led rule. The protests are drawing on a long tradition of resistance among Iranian women.
‘This girl has united us all’: Women’s rage mobilizes IraniansWomen and their freedoms are the catalyst for widespread demonstrations in Iran demanding reforms – even, as some protesters are saying, the toppling of the Islamic Republic.
First LookProtests continue in Iran after hijab arrest results in deathProtests erupted in Iran after a young woman died in the custody of morality police, accused of wearing her hijab improperly. Women in Iran have since been seen displaying defiance of the regime’s increasingly violent treatment of young women.
First LookA farmer's shovel uncovers a rare ancient mosaic in GazaA Palestinian farmer discovered a rare and colorful mosaic that is being touted as one of Gaza’s greatest archaeological treasures. The discovery highlights the importance of protecting Gaza’s antiquities amid conflict with Israel, experts say.
Not gone, but forgotten? Syrian refugees struggle to move forward.An outpouring of generosity and compassion a decade ago created a refuge for Syrians fleeing civil war, offering them dignity and hope. What happens when the world’s focus moves on?
Water: Lessons in survival from a bone-dry landThere’s drought, and then there’s Jordan. Lacking water all the time – their country is the second-most water-poor in the world – Jordanians rely on resourcefulness to cope with a lack of resources.
First Look‘This is not a revolution’: sparks of civil war cool in IraqAfter days of gunfights with government forces in the streets of Iraq’s capital, forces loyal to Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr began to withdraw after he called on them to stand down. Apologizing to Iraqis, Mr. Sadr says he does not support violence.
‘Revolution’ in Iraq? How Shiite cleric is testing a young democracy.In recent years, even established democracies have proven vulnerable under stress. In Iraq, despite the nascent system’s imperfections, it has served as political glue to the country’s disparate sectarian branches.
Gaza civilians face airstrikes with ‘go-bags’ and comforting catsIsraeli airstrikes on Gaza reminded local residents how suddenly war can disrupt their lives. How do civilians prepare for and cope with that threat?
First LookIn Afghanistan, underground schools offer hope for girlsWith no sign the Taliban will reopen schools, parents are exploring other ways to keep education from stalling for a generation of young women. Although Taliban officials insist the schools will reopen soon, hardliners within the movement have thwarted the idea.
Their cup overflows: Why future is bright for Saudi coffee growersSaudi Arabia’s mountainous southwest is steeped in the culture of coffee cultivation. Officials hope the local brew, in demand in trendy Saudi cafes, is poised to make a splash around the world.
Iran nuclear talks progress, but is it enough to save the deal?President Obama said the 2015 Iran nuclear deal was built on verification, not trust. As governments examine the latest document agreed to by negotiators, the main obstacle to a renewed deal remains distrust.
First LookIn Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan, Shiite Muslims mark AshouraMillions of Shiite Muslims are marking the festival of Ashoura that commemorates the martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hussein. In Taliban-run Afghanistan, security forces are on high alert for any violence that could mar the celebrations.
First LookIsrael and Palestinian militants reach cease-fire: Will it hold?Israeli aircraft have pummeled Gaza since Friday, while the Iran-backed Palestinian Jihad militant group has fired hundreds of rockets at Israel in response.
First LookFirst Ukrainian grain shipment lands in Lebanon, bringing hopeThe Razoni is the first ship to depart a Ukrainian Black Sea port since Russia invaded, disrupting food supplies in Africa and the Middle East.
First LookKabul chaos: Shiites bombed, Zawahri killing protests fill streetsA bomb killed eight people in the Shiite area of Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday. The attack has yet to be claimed but suspicions fall on the Islamic State group. Hundreds of Afghans also rallied to protest the U.S. drone strike that killed Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri.
First LookDevastation in Gaza after new wave of Israeli airstrikesDays after the arrest of a senior Islamic Jihad leader, an Israeli airstrike descended on Gaza leaving at least 10 fatalities, Palestinian officials have announced. The strike left at least 55 others injured and was in response to an “imminent threat,” Israeli officials say.
Afghanistan mystery: Why was Al Qaeda’s leader in Kabul?The drone strike that killed Al Qaeda’s leader in Kabul reveals a lack of trust between the U.S. and Taliban. But was the Doha agreement broken, or were there just differing views on how to keep it?
First LookTwo decades after 9/11, bin Laden's deputy killed by drone strikeAl Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri worked with Osama bin Laden to plan the 9/11 terrorist attacks and other high profile attacks on U.S. targets. The CIA operation is a significant counterterrorism win just 11 months after President Biden withdrew U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
