All Middle East
First LookIran says it will enrich uranium to 20% – a pre-nuclear deal levelIran said Saturday it plans to enrich uranium up to 20% at its Fordo nuclear facility, pushing a technical step away from weapons-grade levels.
In tourist-free Bethlehem, a tranquil Christmas focused on familyFor the residents of Bethlehem, the pandemic’s extreme hardships have tested resilience. Yet this Christmas, there is still something to cherish.
Pandemic-fueled populism stresses Tunisia’s fragile democracyPolarization, scapegoating, distrust in politics – the trappings of populism are especially concerning in Tunisia, the Arab world’s lone democracy.
First LookAl-Jazeera reporters' phones hacked using Israeli firm's spywareThirty-six Al-Jazeera journalists had their phones hacked by an advanced spyware, developed by the NSO Group, which has been implicated in other cyberattacks. The Al-Jazeera attack is suspected to be linked to the Saudi and Emirati governments.
Kidnapping dissidents abroad, Iran is sending a message at homePolitics requires theater. In Iran, where spectacles to engineer social compliance have been used since antiquity, that includes show trials.
Amid war, Ethiopian Jews await Israeli rescue. Is bias causing delay?Activists say the Israeli government’s rescue efforts reflect a pattern of discrimination. Ethiopian Jews have been buffeted by the pandemic and war.
Saudi, Egyptian crackdowns signal collision with Biden agendaAn impending values shift as the U.S. presidency changes hands is not being reflected in the behavior of traditional allies Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
First Look'This is our history': In Mosul, life and resilience shinesMuch of Mosul was left in ruins after U.S.-backed Iraqi forces liberated the city from ISIS three years ago. But now, without government support, Iraqis are slowly and resiliently breathing life back into their streets and shops with lights, music, and color.
In Iran, assassination shock spurs calls to rethink securityDid Iran’s yearslong state of alert against Israeli and American infiltration lead to a complacency that made a physicist vulnerable to assassination?
For Palestinians, Biden’s win is a good step. But it’s just a step.Many Palestinians, happy to bid President Trump farewell, associate Joe Biden with previous disappointments and want a new formula for U.S. relations.
First LookTaliban and Afghan government begin to map out a cease-fireAfter 19 years of war, the Afghan government and Taliban representatives reached a preliminary deal that codifies rules and procedures for a political roadmap and a cease-fire. U.S. forces will leave Afghanistan by May 2021 in exchange for counter-terrorism guarantees.
First LookIranian scientist killed, adding a challenge for Biden“Israeli role” alleged in killing, in last days of Trump presidency, of a scientist long suspected of leading an Iranian nuclear bomb program.
For Afghans, US troops ‘home by Christmas’ is gift to the TalibanPresident Trump’s decision to hasten the withdrawal of U.S. troops has raised alarms: in NATO, and among Afghans seeking peace with the Taliban.
Trump ‘bromance’ broke Israel’s bipartisan rule. Will Netanyahu pay?For Israel, dependent on U.S. friendship, bipartisan support is precious. Will Netanyahu’s alliance with Trump strain ties with Biden administration?
How Turkey’s use of military power furthers Erdoğan’s ambitionsTurkey’s assertive use of military power helps bolster President Erdoğan politically. But it also helps him fulfill what he sees as his calling.
First LookLebanese duo helps stranded migrant workers find a way homeAmid a collapsing economy, many migrant workers who came to Lebanon as domestic helpers lost their jobs and were left on the streets. But two ordinary people raised funds for repatriation flights for more than 120 women, helping when embassies did not.
First LookAs tourists disappear, Bedouins revive ancient farming rootsEgypt's already unstable tourism industry has sunk during the global COVID-19 pandemic, leaving Bedouin tour guides without jobs. To adapt, they are returning to their ancestral livelihoods and farming the mountains of South Sinai.
Pandemic politics? In Jordan, it has leveled the playing field.In Jordan, pandemic restrictions have played the role of equalizer, opening the door to new candidates for Parliament, and perhaps more democracy.
First LookBlessing in disguise: Arab women find tech jobs during pandemicWomen still face many challenges in the workforce across the Middle East and North Africa, which has the world's lowest rate of female labor participation. But as the pandemic shifts work online, some are finding new opportunities.
Rooftop farms in Jordan help Gazans reconnect with lost landRooftop hydroponics may be a far cry from the tilled fields of Gaza. But the act of farming still speaks to the soul of refugees in a camp in Jordan.
