All Middle East
This take on women’s independence packs a (peppery) punchThe spicy condiment harissa, a valued staple in Tunisia, created an opportunity for rural women to work together to gain security, equity, and independence.
First LookJordan, once fertile, is pushing back as desert encroachesIn Jordan, one of the world's driest nations, local organizations are planting native species and working with herders to revitalize once fertile land. A U.N. report out Wednesday warns urgent action is needed worldwide to prevent further land degradation.
Jerusalem erupts: Why Israeli, Arab bid to thwart violence fell shortIsrael and its Arab partners, eager to avoid Jerusalem clashes during Ramadan and Passover, nevertheless neglected to address a Palestinian hunger for a political solution.
On former front line in long Afghan war, an appreciation for peaceFor many on what were the Taliban’s front lines in Wardak province, the end of the war in Afghanistan has proved more important than who is in charge.
Turkey drops murder case against Saudis, seeks Gulf aidTurkey’s eagerness to bring Jamal Khashoggi’s killers to justice has dimmed now that an economic crisis means President Erdoğan is seeking Saudi investment.
Ukraine war food crisis hits Arab world markets, right at RamadanWhat does the world’s interconnectedness mean at a personal level? For Muslim Arabs this Ramadan, the Ukraine war is an unwelcome guest at a depleted holiday table.
First LookAmid war truce, Yemen’s President Hadi cedes power to councilOn Thursday, Yemen’s exiled President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi transferred his powers to a presidential council. It remains to be seen whether the move will help prolong a recent two-month truce and bring an end to the civil war that has been raging since 2014.
‘Giving back is a universal form of faith.’ Can Tunisia revive unused trusts?In Tunisia, an ancient social welfare system of charitable trusts, underutilized for decades, could be a way to lighten the burden on a cash-strapped government.
First LookTurkey hands Khashoggi case over to Saudi Arabia, sparking outcryOn Thursday, a court in Turkey decided to transfer journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder case to Saudi Arabia for trial. Human rights groups warn the decision could result in a cover-up, given that 26 Saudi nationals are accused of the killing.
First LookThey speak for the trees: Cairo residents fight for green spaceGrand development projects in Cairo, including the construction of huge new highways, are coming at the expense of the desert city’s trees. Now, residents are pushing back against the government to protect their arboreal neighbors.
As Israel takes in Ukrainian Jews, some ask: Should it do more?How welcoming should a country be to refugees? In Israel, created as a refuge for Jews, the issue is existential, and is being tested by the Ukraine crisis.
First LookWhy the Taliban now preserve Buddha statues they once targetedWhen the Taliban first rose to power in Afghanistan two decades ago, they destroyed ancient Buddha statues in the central region. Now, in hopes of securing a Chinese mining contract, they’re preserving Buddha statues that sit atop a 2,000-year-old copper mine.
First LookBlinken tries to reassure Israel, Arab allies ahead of Iran nuke dealThe Biden administration is working to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, which placed curbs on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Israel is hosting four Arab nations in a summit.
First LookHow Qatar is rescuing falcons – and its ancient traditionQatar – the host nation of the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup – has become a rising futuristic hub with its oil wealth and global business. But one top-notch hospital in Doha is preserving a cherished ancient tradition: falconry and conservation.
For Jordan’s unemployed youth, a career opportunity: Local politicsA weak economy and lack of policy solutions have frustrated young unemployed Jordanians. Some with new skills have identified political office as a way forward.
First Look'They promised': Taliban rescind pledge, cancel girls' educationTaliban leaders in Afghanistan decided against allowing girls to attend school past Grade 6, an official said Wednesday even though leaders pledged to allow education for all earlier this week. The Taliban fears education for girls could alienate their rural base.
First LookSaudi Arabia repels missile and drone attacks by Yemen rebelsAramco's CEO said the multiple attacks on Saudi Arabia Sunday had no impact on oil supplies, although one refinery saw a temporary decline in production.
Bombed hospitals, crushed cities. What Syrians recognize in Ukraine.Ukraine’s resilience in the face of Russia’s military onslaught has been much noted. But veterans of the long conflict in Syria tell of brutal Russian tactics that crush resilience.
First LookIran fires missiles into northern Iraq in retaliation attackIran says a missile attack Sunday that struck the northern Iraqi city of Irbil was retaliation for an Israeli strike in Syria that killed two members of its Revolutionary Guard.
First Look'City of culture': Lebanese actor finds new role restoring theatersActor and director Kassem Istanbouli is leading the effort to restore abandoned theaters in Lebanon and reimagine the country’s image against sectarian violence. His latest project, Cinema Empire, is the last of five historic cinemas in the once cinema-rich city of Tripoli.
