Middle East

Protesters hold signs during a hearing on the possible evictions of Palestinians from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Jerusalem, outside the Israeli Supreme Court in Jerusalem on Monday, Aug. 2, 2021.

World News

Israel's High Court Floats Proposal To Solve The Flash Point That Sparked War In Gaza

11:38am August 02, 2021

by The Associated Press

A plan put forward by the court would prevent the evictions of dozens of Palestinians in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah. Attempts to expel them sparked an 11-day war in May.

World News

A Look At The Gaza Strip, 2 Months After A Devastating 11-Day War With Israel

8:12am August 01, 2021

by Daniel Estrin

More than two months after a fierce 11-day war between Hamas and Israel, reconstruction on the devastated Gaza Strip is mostly on hold. Negotiations continue over what supplies can be allowed in.

Israel's NSO Group has denied media reports its Pegasus software is linked to the mass surveillance of journalists and rights defenders, but suspended service to some governments following the reports.

A Tech Firm Has Blocked Some Governments From Using Its Spyware Over Misuse Claims

7:57pm July 29, 2021

by Daniel Estrin

The Israeli firm is under scrutiny after reports its products were used by countries seeking to spy on dissidents and leaders

Tunisia's President Kais Saied leads a security meeting with members of the army and police forces in Tunis, Tunisia, on Sunday. Troops surrounded the parliament building and blocked its speaker Rached Ghannouchi from entering Monday after the president s

World News

Democracy Is Teetering In Tunisia, The Country Where The Arab Spring Began

7:27am July 27, 2021

by Vanessa Romo

President Kais Saied plunged the country into uncertainty after shutting down parliament and firing the prime minister as well as the country's defense and justice ministers.

People mourn their ancestors and the deceased at a cemetery in Quanzhou during the traditional Qingming Festival, or "Tomb-sweeping Day."

Iranian Railway, Ancient Chinese City Among New UNESCO World Heritage Sites

6:12pm July 26, 2021

by Neda Ulaby

What do a railway in Iran, a mountainous national park in Thailand and a spa town in the Czech Republic have in common? They're all part of a newly announced group of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

World News

Many Afghans Urgently Need Visas, But The U.S. Special Visa Program Has Fallen Behind

4:33pm July 26, 2021

by Quil Lawrence

Thousands of Afghans who have been promised U.S. visas are facing death threats from the Taliban, and the U.S. effort to evacuate them is facing daunting hurdles.

Record-Breaking Heat Has Led To Widespread Power Outages In The Middle East

4:33pm July 26, 2021

Throughout the Middle East, extreme heat is leading to increased demand for energy, which is leading to widespread power and water outages affecting millions. Protesters are demanding these services.

World News

Director For Human Rights Watch Weighs In On What's Next For Afghanistan

4:58pm July 22, 2021

Now that U.S. forces are set to leave for good, what is next for Afghanistan? NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Patricia Gossman, Associate Asia Director for Human Rights Watch.

Families In Lebanon Aim To Celebrate Eid Despite The Steep Costs

6:23am July 22, 2021

by Ruth Sherlock

The Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha finds people in Lebanon mired in an economic crisis that makes eating or paying rent difficult — let alone taking part in family celebrations.

World News

Afghans Face Deportation From Turkey After Trying To Flee Taliban Occupation

5:35pm July 21, 2021

by Peter Kenyon

A group of Afghans who fled to Turkey are facing deportation back to their home country: a plight faced by thousands who have sought refuge in Turkey over the last decade and as U.S. troops withdraw.