All Middle East
Turkey election: Does Kurdish leader jailed as 'terrorist' hold the key?Turkish President Erdoğan has tried mightily to consolidate power, imprisoning foes as 'terrorists' in authoritarian fashion. But the democratic impulse in the country is still strong.
Vote-buying in Turkey? Price is high, satisfaction not guaranteed.A $5.5 billion social benefits package that likely will stress Turkey's economy is being interpreted as a sign that President Erdoğan and his party could be in trouble in upcoming elections.
Islamist and feminist: A new generation stakes its claimCiting the Quran and demanding their rights, devout Muslim women are asserting their status as feminists. But they face opposition from some Islamist men and secular women.
First LookAfghans finish month-long march for peaceHundreds of Afghans marched across the country during the month of Ramadan to advocate for peace. The country has been at war for four decades, and Afghanistan's citizens are weary of violence, says marchers.
Turkey elections: why Erdoğan and his party are suddenly vulnerablePerhaps it's inevitable that even the most popular strongman loses his appeal. President Erdoğan chose early elections, but Turks are starting to signal they've had enough of one-man rule.
First LookSaudi-led forces attempt to push Yemeni militia out of portThe Yemeni exiled government launched an assault Wednesday to drive out the Iranian-aligned Shiite rebels. The fight could cause issues including potential shutdowns of the port, a crucial access point for food and supplies to civilians who are at risk of starvation.
First LookAmid growing poverty in Gaza, aid trickles inPalestinian political infighting, halted US aid, and high unemployment rates are taking a toll on the 2 million Palestinians trapped in Gaza, but support from charity and Muslim countries during the month of Ramadan is helping to feed the hungry.
First LookTurkish presidential candidate runs campaign from jailA prison cell is an unlikely campaign headquarters. Selahattin Demirtas, who claims he has been falsely imprisoned by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is running for president from prison with a promise to bring peace and democracy back to the nation.
The riddle of Hamas's new Gaza leader: extremist or pragmatist?In this second of two profiles of hard-line Israeli and Palestinian leaders, we look at Yahya Sinwar, the son of refugees, who emerged from 22 years in prison still committed to Israel's destruction.
First LookAfghanistan declares a cease-fire with Taliban for RamadanAs Ramadan approaches, Afghani President Ashraf Ghani has called for a week-long cease-fire with the Taliban, drawing wide support from the international community and NATO.
Israel's Naftali Bennett: Waiting in the (right) wingsMainstream leaders on both the Palestinian and Israeli sides of their national conflict at least pay lip service to the two-state solution. In this first of two profiles, we look at key hard-line leaders who do not.
Jordan's young protesters say they learned from Arab Spring mistakesSince the 2011 Arab Spring, activists in the region have struggled to find a sustainable model for pressuring their governments. In Jordan, protesters decry partisanship and say they've only just begun to fight.
First LookJordan's king appoints a new PM amid widespread unrest over tax hikesFollowing the Jordanian government's recent steep tax increases, citizens have rallied in some of the largest protests in years, triggering Prime Minister Hani Mulki's resignation. King Abdullah stepped in to select a new prime minister on Monday, in hopes of preserving Jordan's reputation of peace and stability in the Middle East.
First LookIsrael and Hamas agree to cease-fireEgyptian mediators stepped in to broker a cease-fire between Israel and militant groups in Gaza after a week of escalated tensions threatened to escalate into a full-blown conflict.
First LookEfforts to protect Afghan women are failing, UN reportsMore than 17 years after the Taliban was defeated, a process to protect women from violence still struggles to take hold, according to a new report from the United Nations. Afghanistan authorities largely rely on traditional mediation councils to resolve criminal cases against women.
First LookGaza escalates attacks, Israel responds with airstrikesThe rising military tensions between Israel and Gaza reached yet another peak Tuesday. Israeli Intelligence Minister Israel Katz says the country is "at the closest point to the threshold of war" since the seven-week conflict with Palestinian militants four years ago.
How new US stance on Iran is resonating in TehranIt's hardly surprising that US ultimatums directed at Iran have been answered in kind, with Iranians saying they will not be intimidated into constraining their regional ambitions. But listen closely, and you'll also hear more pragmatic voices.
Ramadan: a time for fasting, prayer, reflection – and laughs?It's a well-known device. Sometimes the best way to grapple with difficult personal, social, and political issues is through humor. In Jordan, entertainers are delivering just that to theater and TV audiences during the holy month of Ramadan.
First LookFor Gazans, an open border crossing still presents barriersEgypt has opened the Rafah border crossing to Gaza during the month of Ramadan. But as thousands seek to leave the tiny Hamas-controlled territory, bureaucracy at the border has made passage slow and costly.
Amid Israel-Gaza violence, a personal drive to preserve humanity and hopeIt's a challenge to prevent fear from overwhelming compassion. Even before the latest violence, animosity and distrust have run deep on both sides of the Israeli-Gazan border. For some Israeli residents of the region, there's no alternative but to reach out to preserve hope.
