The Media Line

Details emerge on killing of father of 8-year-old Pakistani cricket player, Aina Wazir

Omar Wazir was a schoolteacher and also ran a travel agency. In a related incident, Aina Wazir's cameraman was kidnapped but later released.

|ByARSHAD MEHMOOD/THE MEDIA LINE
Pakistan's national flag.
Syrian army increases security measures in and around al-Hol camp, located south of Al-Hasakah, where families of Daesh members, most of them women and children, are being held, in Syria, on January 25, 2026.

Syria blames SDF withdrawal for chaos and escapes at al-Hol camp

The camp, located near the Iraqi border, had long housed relatives of suspected Islamic State (IS) members alongside civilians displaced by years of conflict.

|ByTHE MEDIA LINE STAFF
A vendor prepares trays of hot food at a street stall as Muslims prepare for the holy month of Ramadan in Damascus, Syria, February 18, 2026.

As Damascus prepares for Ramadan, its cannon call to prayer returns after 14 year haitus - feature

Ramadan in Damascus brings vibrant markets, traditional foods, Maghrib prayers, and the historic Ramadan cannon, creating a festive, nostalgic, and community-filled atmosphere.

|ByRIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE
A general view of Jerusalem's Old City shows the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site, in the foreground as the Dome of the Rock, located on the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, is seen in the background.

‘Enough is enough!’: Holy sites bill sparks religious power struggle - analysis

A bill amending the Law for the Protection of Holy Places passed a preliminary vote, boosting the Chief Rabbinate’s authority and reigniting debate over religion, state power, and Diaspora ties.

|ByGABRIEL COLODRO/THE MEDIA LINE

Iranian protesters cry ‘death to Khamenei’ as Trump, Iranian FM clash over casuality numbers

A video circulating from the scene showed students dispersing while chanting, “Don’t be afraid, we are all together,” according to the outlets.

FEBRUARY 22, 2026ByTHE MEDIA LINE STAFF
Iranian Protesters gather around burning cars near a masque while blocking a street during a protest in Tehran, Iran, on January 8, 2026.

Huckabee tells Carlson Israel ruling entire Middle East 'would be fine,' drawing Arab backlash

The controversy began when Carlson and Huckabee discussed a biblical verse that indicated land that including parts of Egypt, Syria and Iraq belonged to Israel.

FEBRUARY 22, 2026ByTHE MEDIA LINE STAFF
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee speaks during the FOZ Ambassadors Summit in Jerusalem, December 7, 2025.

Voices from the Arab press: Turkey’s strategic bet on energy

A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world.

FEBRUARY 21, 2026ByTHE MEDIA LINE
A TURKISH petroleum engineer poses on the helipad of Turkish drilling vessel ‘Yavuz’ in the eastern Mediterranean Sea off Cyprus.

WATCH: Bat Yam residents reflect on another Iran conflict after devastating missile impact in 2025

Dario Sanchez speaks with locals about whether they feel prepared for the possibility of another round of conflict with Iran.

FEBRUARY 20, 2026ByDARIO SANCHEZ/THE MEDIA LINE
The aftermath of an Iranian missile strike in Bat Yam, central Israel, June 15, 2025

Pakistan, US launch partnership to redevelop Roosevelt Hotel in New York

The initiative includes collaboration with the US General Services Administration (GSA) regarding the operation, maintenance, renovation and redevelopment of the Roosevelt Hotel in New York.

FEBRUARY 20, 2026ByARSHAD MEHMOOD/THE MEDIA LINE
PAKISTAN FINANCE Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and US GSA Administrator Edward C. Forst sign a Memorandum of Understanding between Pakistan and the US, February 19, 2026.

Turkey detains 88 in nationwide raids over alleged links to group accused of 2016 coup attempt

Turkish authorities detain 88 suspects in nationwide operation targeting alleged members of the Gülen movement, linked to the 2016 coup attempt.

FEBRUARY 18, 2026ByTHE MEDIA LINE STAFF
A Turkish police officer and armored vehicle outside Istanbul Courthouse, March 26, 2019; illustrative.

Fate of protesting workers arrested by the IRGC still unknown

Approximately 200 workers are being held in IRGC-controlled warehouses, raising serious concerns among labor activists about their condition.

FEBRUARY 17, 2026ByOMID HABIBINIA/THE MEDIA LINE
The strikes and protests by workers in IRGC-dominated Asaluyeh have occurred repeatedly in recent years but have intensified in recent months.

Poll: 65% of Syrians favor US engagement, 59% say peace with Israel is likely

Opinions were more divided on full diplomatic normalization with Israel, while public assessments of Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa were largely favorable.

FEBRUARY 17, 2026ByTHE MEDIA LINE STAFF
Direction and distance sign for the Syrian capital of Damascus at Mount Bental Israeli military outpost on the Syrian border

‘We are prepared to move from defense to offense’: Israel signals harder line in Gaza

Military leaders warn that failure to disarm Hamas could trigger renewed operations even as diplomacy moves forward.

FEBRUARY 16, 2026ByKEREN SETTON/THE MEDIA LINE
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir conducts a situational assessment in Rafah on February 13, 2026.

Afghanistan marks Soviet withdrawal anniversary as Taliban rule draws global scrutiny

The Taliban’s governance remains deeply controversial. Since returning to power in 2021, the group has imposed sweeping restrictions on women and girls and enforcing strict social rules.

FEBRUARY 16, 2026ByTHE MEDIA LINE STAFF
An Afghan Taliban fighter sit next to an anti-aircraft gun near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in Spin Boldak, Kandahar Province, following exchanges of fire between Pakistani and Afghan forces in Afghanistan, October 15, 2025.