All Middle East
First LookTurkey's Erdogan woos voters with cheaper vegetables ahead of electionsThe cost of goods in Turkey has jumped by about a third since President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's policies caused the national currency to slump. Now, the government has set up stalls to sell cheaper vegetables, targeting Mr. Erdogan's traditional low-income voter base.
First LookIraqi rapper gives voice to anger, disillusionment in BasraThe Iraqi city of Basra, which erupted in demonstrations last summer over failing services and unsafe drinking water, has found an artistic outlet in rapper Ahmed Chayeb. He says his generation is fed up with the politicians and religious authorities who have let Basra fall apart.
No smoking: How one city is cutting the hookah hazeCities, over larger government entities, have increasingly been drivers of change. When Jordan’s smokers seemed unmoved by national laws, Amman joined a global cities alliance to help reduce public smoking.
US-Taliban talks: Is Afghanistan ready for real peace?Finding a path to peace involves taking risks and building trust. In Afghanistan, the US seems eager to end its longest war, and Afghans yearn for peace. Still, issues of trust and risk-taking loom large.
First LookIn Hebron, Palestinians patrol after foreign monitors leaveThe West Bank's largest city is a frequent flashpoint between Israeli settlers and Palestinians. Now Palestinian activists have launched their own patrols to document alleged settler violence in Hebron after Israel expelled international observers.
First LookWar museum in Baghdad underlines militia's growing cloutA new museum in Iraq's capital honors the mainly Shiite militiamen who died fighting the Islamic State. The Iran-backed militias gained prominence after helping the government in the war. Some worry that this spells trouble for a country with a history of bloody sectarian strife.
First LookRussia more assured about war with Afghan three decades onFriday marks the anniversary of Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan 30 years ago. Once hailed as a much sought-after end to a bloody quagmire, many Russians now see the decade-long war as successful and legitimate action against United States-backed militants.
The ExplainerIn Arab world, a new alliance is on the riseWhat impact does America's inward gaze have on international problem-solving? That's an issue we will return to regularly. Here, a look at how six US-friendly Arab nations are banding together.
First LookEven after being liberated from ISIS control, Iraqi Christians fear for their safetyDespite the eradication of Islamic State militants from their small Iraqi town, many Christian residents fear returning to Bartella, which is now run by Shiite militias who frequently bully and assault Christians – a power grab that is playing out across Iraq.
As Iran’s revolution turns 40, a consensus: Things must changeCan the Islamic Revolution reform itself? What was once unlikely now seems inevitable as the regime weighs its failures and successes and pushes to reinvigorate flagging support among Iranians.
In Iran, a hardline hunt for ‘infiltrators’ has political target, tooIranian hardliners’ fear of Western cultural influence has morphed into anxiety over an “infiltration project” by the US, Israel, and others, spurring arrests of alleged enemies, including even government officials.
‘Feels like home’: Israeli school for migrant kids wins by bridging worldsHow to provide for the children caught up in the uncertainty and often trauma of migration is an increasingly pressing question for many societies. A school in Tel Aviv offers a model that is succeeding.
Amid Turkey's brain drain, why some choose to stayThe decision to leave one’s homeland is hardly ever trivial, even when safety is the issue. Turkey’s economic and political slide has moved many to leave, but the ‘stay or go’ debate is an agonizing one.
With mud hut and chickens, an ancestral village heals generational divideFor the children of immigrants, there’s often a detachment from older relatives as well as a physical distance from ancestral land. In Israel, a model Ethiopian village is bringing generations together.
Rebuilding Syria: Why Arabs and the West are on a collision courseIt’s a natural cycle: After war, even the most brutal, comes rebuilding. But when is it time, and how lasting is the bitterness? On Assad’s Syria, the Arab world and the West are increasingly out of sync.
First LookAmid rising violence, Palestinians ask UN to replace observer force in West BankIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to disband the observing force that currently reports on human rights violations in Hebron. But the Palestinian government sees its presence as increasingly necessary protection against "settler attacks."
As Israel, Iran square off in Syria, can Russia play peacemaker?The planned US withdrawal from Syria has both practical and symbolic implications. On the ground, Russia now appears best positioned to resolve disputes in the country, if it is ready to take on the role.
First LookIraqis fear loss of Mosul dialect amid ruinsThe Maslawi dialect is a unique form of Arabic that reflects the city's cosmopolitan past. The war against the Islamic State killed thousands of its speakers and caused many more to flee, raising fears it may die out.
First LookPresident Ghani assures Afghans in light of peace deal progressThe US envoy tasked with resolving the 17-year war reports that American and Taliban officials have agreed – in principle – to a tentative peace deal. But given that the Taliban stages near-daily attacks against Afghan forces, the country's leader must manage expectations.
First LookSinkholes spread across Iran, triggered by drought and excessive pumpingA 30-year drought and over-reliance on ground aquifers have caused fissures and massive holes to appear in Iran, threatening vital infrastructure including the international airport, an oil refinery, and a key highway.
