
Iran’s Afghan Refugees Flee Homeward
As Afghans travel across the Islam Qala border crossing, they are trading one form of desperation for another, leaving behind discrimination and economic survival in Iran for a homeland that offers little hope, especially for women and girls.

Iran’s Attacks on the Gulf Are Leaving Scars That Won’t Fade
A writer based in Doha reflects on living through Iran's strikes on the Gulf states during Ramadan, drawing on memories of Kuwait during the 2003 Iraq War to explore the lasting psychological and social toll the conflict is leaving on Gulf societies.

The Russian Complex: Why China’s Ties to Moscow Run Deeper Than Politics
While the Sino-Russian partnership is typically viewed through the lens of hard power, it also stems from a shared history and a strong cultural enmeshment. From literary affinities to architectural imitation, from fashion trends to shared pedagogical models, Russia’s imprint on modern China is deeper than headlines suggest.

The Noxious Smoke Enveloping Tehran
Tehran residents who spoke to New Lines reported heavy pollution immediately following Israeli strikes on oil depots. An exclusive investigation and analysis show how the fires and smoke plumes spread across the Iranian capital.

Iranian Kurdish Fighters Eye a Weakened Tehran
As U.S. and Israeli airstrikes batter Iran, exiled Kurdish militant groups in northern Iraq see their best chance in decades to challenge the Islamic Republic. But without air cover or firm backing from Washington, most are holding the line and waiting.