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Stories about West Asia & North Africa from July, 2021
Iranian state comes down hard on protests over ‘Thirsty Khuzestan’
Three years ago, protests broke out in Iran's richest province of Khuzestan against water shortages. Like today's, these were also met with force, as protesters blame government corruption and mismanagement.
Religious cleric criticizes Turkey's women's volleyball team for their appearance in Tokyo Olympics
Turkey's women's volleyball team, known as the "Sultans of the Net," beat China 3–0 during a Tokyo Olympics match on July 25.
Government announces new media regulations that could further constrain freedom of expression in Turkey
A number of government statements issued this week in Turkey signal a further decline on media freedom.
Thousands of flamingos found dead in Central Anatolia
Every year in March, thousands of flamingos migrate to the south of Lake Tuz, earning it the moniker “flamingo paradise.”
Government-appointed rector removed from office in an overnight decree
After six months of protests, government-appointed rector Melih Bulu was removed from office in a late-night presidential decree that was announced in the official gazette.
Turkey's spectacular city statues — a thing of beauty or an architectural failure?
Across the country one may find statues of garlic, a rooster, meatballs, local desserts, walnuts, pottery, and much more, symbolizing whatever that province is famous for.
A decade after the first siege, Assad's regime besieges Daraa, the cradle of the Syrian Revolution
Calls for solidarity and global pressure to end the blockade have risen worldwide, amidst silence from key regional and international players.
Nizar Banat: the voice of truth assassinated by the Palestinian Authority
Nizar posted a video criticizing the expired vaccine deal that was near finalizing between the Palestinian Authority and Israel. Days later, he was beaten to death by Palestinian security forces.
In Turkey, 13-year-old girl challenges stereotypes in athletics
A 13-year-old handball player from Turkey's southeastern province, Şanlıurfa, is breaking stereotypes while galvanizing support for girls' participation in sports both in her village and around the country.
In Turkey new cost saving measures are selective
President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued a circular on June 30 instructing officials to reduce expenditures.
Women protest across the country as Turkey officially withdraws from the Istanbul Convention
Thousands of women marched across largest cities in Turkey on July 1, against Turkey's official withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention.
Founder of Egypt's Speak Up: ‘Sexual harassment is a daily fight, but change is happening’
Due to the pressure exerted by initiatives like Speak Up, the government has upped its measures to counter prevalent sexual harassment, passing laws that criminalize the act and support victims.
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