All Middle East
Can Christians rebuild their own homeland in Iraqi Kurdistan?In ruined Qaraqosh, once home to Iraq's largest Christian community, returning businessmen are beginning to rebuild, hoping to restore a sense of safety and lure back residents to the Christian heartland.
Facing an even hotter, drier climate, Jordan testing desert agricultureIn a patch of barren land that hasn't yielded crops for centuries, engineers from the Sahara Forest Project say they're designing a sustainable farm that uses solar power to desalinate seawater for crops, then uses the runoff to fend off desertification.
First LookSyrian soccer team gives a war-torn country something to cheer forSyria's national soccer team prepares for a round of playoff games determining who will participate in the World Cup, which would be a first for the country.
First LookPromising signs of reconciliation in the Gaza StripThe Palestinian prime minister paid a visit to the Gaza Strip where Hamas has held power for the past decade. Last week, Hamas relinquished control of the regions government.
First LookSaudi government takes on tourism projects to lessen dependence on oilIn an effort to diversify the economy, the Saudi government begins projects to invest in tourism instead of oil. But private real estate developers are concerned the government initiatives won't allow for private investment.
First LookIran scolds Trump for an 'alternative fact' tweet about a missile launchAfter an untruthful tweets about a nonexistent Iranian missile launch posted by President Trump, Iran's foreign minister withdraws diplomatic conversations with the United States.
First LookSaudi women to be granted driving rights in 2018After nearly three decades, women will be allowed to drive beginning next summer. The step toward expanded women's rights is seen as another effort by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to modernize the kingdom.
Defiant, Kurds vote in northern Iraq, seeking path to independenceThe nonbinding referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan, whose Peshmerga fighters have been stout allies in the fight against ISIS, nevertheless elicited warnings from Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and the US.
Cover StoryReluctant champion: How Nadia Murad has become the international face of Yazidi suffering – and resilienceThe same courage and determination that helped Murad escape from the Islamic State have driven her to travel to more than two dozen countries to tell her story, forcing the world to hear about the atrocities and demanding that ISIS be held accountable for its crimes against Yazidis.
How strongly is NATO ally Turkey pivoting to Russia and Iran?President Erdoğan has taken steps that have alarmed his NATO allies. Until recently, Turkey has pursued policies directly opposed to those of Russia and Iran.
First LookKurds head to the polls Monday for independence voteIraq's Kurdish population is planning a referendum vote for independence and the creation of a Kurdish state. Regional leaders fear the vote will bring more instability to the region and distract from the fight against the Islamic State.
ISIS has planted a ticking bomb that is hard to defuse: traumatized childrenIraq hasn't enough mental health professionals to handle the legions of traumatized children who, because of ISIS, saw and did things they never should have. But if enough teachers can be found, schools could help put them on a path to healing.
First LookTurkey to overhaul school curriculum, triggering concerns politics will take precedence over scienceA new 'values-based' program will recast more than 170 topics in the educational curriculum, from removing all direct references to evolution from high school biology classes to teachings about jihad or holy war in religion classes as the 'love of homeland.'
Why plight of Rohingya Muslims has suddenly captivated the Arab worldAn Arab world riven with internal conflicts is showing the Rohingya a level of unity and support usually reserved for the Palestinians. One reason: media coverage of the crisis has not been filtered through a partisan or sectarian lens.
First LookLife for Aleppo residents creeps toward normalcyAleppo still struggles under the anguish of more than six years of civil war. But resilient residents are rebuilding lives in a war-torn town they once called home.
In push for post-ISIS reconciliation, Iraqi leaders still a sticking pointAs Iraqi security forces push ISIS out of each village or city, peacemakers establish mechanisms of reconciliation. But they say too few lessons have been learned by politicians about inclusive rule and compromise.
Free passage for ISIS: Was Hezbollah-backed deal a jab at Lebanese Army?The free-passage deal that sent ISIS fighters and their families from Lebanon across Syria sparked outrage in Iraq and the US. It also raised suspicions that Hezbollah had deliberately snatched battlefield glory from the Lebanese Army.
First LookUN commission finds Syria at fault for April gas attackInvestigators conclude the Syrian government did use chemical weapons in an area with civilians. This report comes as Syria, Russia, and Iran escalate fighting around the city of Deir el-Zour in order to drive out Islamic State militants.
First LookSyrian forces end three-year Islamic State siege of Deir al-ZorSyrian government forces have reached an enclave of troops and civilians in Deir al-Zor, one of the Islamic State's last military strongholds in the country.
First LookUN: IS strongholds in Syria could fall by OctoberThe United Nations' envoy to Syria said parts of the country could be liberated from Islamic State control by October, and that the push for free elections should be a priority in the coming year.
