Middle East Experience

The Middle East has turned this week to New Zealand, where a horrific terror attack in a mosque took the lives of 50 people..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: New Zealand Futsal keeper among those killed in Christchurch: This week in football

An Iranian asylum seeker said he converted from Islam to Christianity because it was a “peaceful” religion. The Home Office used Bible verses about vengeance as a basis to deny the claim..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Rejecting Asylum Claim, U.K. Quotes Bible to Say Christianity Is Not ‘Peaceful’

Victims were mostly women and children celebrating Kurdish new year, say officials..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Iraq ferry sinking: at least 70 people drown in Mosul

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says the Islamic Republic has successfully resisted US sanctions..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: In Nowruz speeches, Iranian leaders vow to boost economy

Two months after the merger between Reshet and Channel 10 was implemented, Keshet - which shared Channel 2 with Reshet until 2017 - is ready to declare victory.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Keshet leads the way two months after TV merger

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted, saying that "when Iran seeks to use Syria as a platform to destroy Israel, President Trump boldly recognizes Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights."
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Trump: It is time for U.S. to recognize Israel's sovereignty over Golan Heights

Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Trump Suggests U.S. Will Formally Recognize Israeli Control Over Golan Heights

Turkey once again finds itself in the middle in the Syrian crisis, trying to reassure the opposition groups it supports while keeping Russia happy.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Russia seeks to hold reluctant Turkey accountable in Syria

Although Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s long visit to Egypt achieved positive results, including the release of four Hamas members abducted in 2015, many pending issues remain unresolved.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: What was Hamas’ Haniyeh doing in Egypt for 25 days?

The Turkmen-majority city of Tal Afar remains sparsely populated and wary of outsiders a year and a half after being taken from the Islamic State. Geopolitical considerations and the nearby presence of the PKK, the Syrian border, the desert and mountains mean that operations continue in the area despite apparent calm.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Tal Afar wary and wedged between Iran, Turkey and PKK