For weeks, Israel has been rocked by mass protests against plans by Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the country's judiciary. The history of these proposed reforms, which have deeply divided the country, goes back much further than many people think. By Joseph CroitoruMore

Rape has been instrumentalised in the most heinous ways in many of Sudan's armed conflicts. Now the country's women are rallying together against the weaponisation of sexual violence to settle political conflicts. By Amal HabaniMore

Middle East expert Udo Steinbach has been advocating closer relations with the Gulf states for years. Genuine interest in regional development, however, needs to look beyond the stereotypes. Birgit Svensson spoke to him in BaghdadMore

In recent weeks, Israel has seen hundreds of thousands take to the streets to protest against the new ultra-right government's political agenda. Filmmakers tackling sensitive issues such as Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories are likely to be first affected by proposed cuts in cultural funding. By Joseph CroitoruMore

The deadly earthquakes of 6 February may reshape Turkey’s political landscape forever. Many Turks hold the government responsible for the scale of the disaster, raising questions about its prospects in the upcoming elections and their outcome. Ayse Karabat reports from IstanbulMore

Benjamin Netanyahu is using his sixth term as Israel's prime minister to promote a barrage of constitutional reforms that would cement his rule and strip the judiciary of its ability to check the executive branch. But, argues Ido Baum, while his government may ignore massive public protests, it cannot ignore capital flightMore

A new prison, touted by Egypt as a model for reform, that holds some of its most prominent prisoners denies inmates healthcare and subjects them to punitive treatment including isolation, relatives of those inside and rights groups say.More