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Stories about West Asia & North Africa from September, 2017
Saudi Women Activists Win Driving Victory in Shadow of Guardianship System and Wave of Arrests
Saudi women may soon be able to drive. However, they continue to face discriminatory barriers under the kingdom's male guardianship system.
As Italy and Egypt Strengthen Diplomatic Ties, Will Giulio Regeni’s Murder Case See Justice?
Did Italy give up on the quest for Giulio Regeni's killers so Egypt would help Italy block migration to Europe?
Saudi Arabia Eases Restrictions on Messaging Apps, But WhatsApp and Viber Are Still Blocked
Since 2013, the Saudi government has partially or fully blocked chat and call applications including WhatsApp, Skype, Facebook Messenger and FaceTime.
Sentenced to One Year in Prison for ‘Inciting Protest,’ a Moroccan Journalist Goes on Hunger Strike
Several journalists have been arrested by Moroccan authorities over their coverage of the unrest in the Rif region.
Among a Rising Tide of Extremism in Syria, Women's Freedoms Hang in the Balance
Extremist groups like ISIS, Hezbollah and al-Nusra are undermining the freedoms that Syria’s women and girls enjoyed, which were a longtime strength of Syrian society.
Keeping His Story Alive: The Creative Legacy of Bassel Khartabil
One month after his execution was confirmed, friends honour Bassel Khartabil through art, song and new opportunities for open technology innovators.
Palestinian Human Rights Defender Arrested for a Facebook Post
In a Facebook post, Amro criticized the Palestinian Authority's arrest of journalist Ayman Qawasmi .
A Year After Newspaper Ban, Independent Media Remain Under Siege in Oman
Azamn newspaper was banned over a report on interference with the independence of the judiciary. One of its journalists remains in prison.
The King's ‘Throne Day’ Speech Leaves Many in Morocco Unimpressed
"The King is very much concerned about his image. Nothing is left to coincidence, everything is calculated."
Iran's Foreign Minister Says He Won't Tweet in Persian Because of Twitter Censorship
The rhetoric of the Rouhani administration is giving off less hope for online freedoms, and the popular foreign minister's statements about not tweeting for Iranian audiences has increased concerns.
Damascus International Fair, the Syrian Regime's Attempt to ‘Beautify’ Wounds of War?
"Assad's 'healthier and homogeneous society' is built by systematic killings, demographic evacuations & wiping out whole neighborhoods."
Local Groups Warn Suicide Is on the Rise Among Iran's Impoverished Arab Ahwazi Community
Ahwazi Arabs experience systematic discrimination in Iran. "There are people who have had to change their first and last name...to hide their Ahwazi Arab identity to get hired."
50 Shades of Erdogan's Propaganda
The enemies of Turkey's authoritarian government are everywhere and state propaganda is taking on an increasingly absurd hue.
Syrians in a Besieged Town Are Learning to Grow Mushrooms to Survive
"We want to spread this idea to the world so that they know our success as well as our struggle with hunger and the siege."
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