SAT-7's Middle East Briefing brings you a monthly roundup of news from the Middle East and North Africa, with a particular focus on the experiences of believers and the challenges facing the Church in the region. It's available as a long-read article, or as a 7-minute podcast. Read the articles below or listen to all our latest podcast episodes here. You can also listen and subscribe on Spotify or Apple podcasts - just search "The Middle East Briefing".
Middle East Briefing: Churches under attack
July 2025The whole Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has been on high alert in the last few weeks. Suffering continues in the Holy Land as Gaza’s only Catholic church was bombed last week, and a suicide bombing in a Damascus church has sent shockwaves through Syria’s minority Christian community. And despite a fragile ceasefire, tension remains high after the […]
Country Briefing: TÜRKIYE
June 2025Türkiye, a nation bridging East and West, was once the heart of early Christianity and is home to many foundational moments in the Church’s story – from the journeys of the Apostle Paul to the Council of Nicaea. Yet today, Christianity is often misunderstood and marginalised among Turks. This briefing explores Türkiye’s Christian heritage, its complex modern landscape, and the […]
Middle East Briefing: Holding on to a legacy of peace
May 2025From ongoing conflict in Gaza and Sudan to Türkiye’s earthquakes and political unrest, Christian communities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are facing immense physical and emotional trials. At the same time, the passing of Pope Francis – a global symbol of peace and unity – has stirred reflection and renewed calls for compassion and courage. Through it […]
Country Briefing: Tunisia
April 2025Home to Africa’s northernmost point, Tunisia has a diverse and vibrant culture. Although the country has a rich Christian heritage and was once the centre of Christianity in North Africa, today less than 1% of Tunisians are Christian. As the birthplace of the Arab Spring, Tunisia has enjoyed over a decade of progressive social policy, particularly in relation to women’s […]
Middle East Briefing: Discovering hope in Christ
March 2025As we begin our journey through Lent this month, ongoing conflicts and shifting political landscapes continue to pose significant challenges in the Middle East and North Africa. In this month’s briefing, we’ll explore how Syrian and Sudanese Christians are holding fast to their faith in the face of violence, hear about the women across the MENA who are opening their […]
Country Briefing: Syria
February 2025Syria is a country rich in culture and history, but after enduring a long and brutal civil war that raged for over a decade and displaced millions of Syrians, communities are just beginning to rebuild their lives. After the Assad regime collapsed, new leaders spoke of inclusion and freedom, but for Syria’s religious minorities the future remains uncertain. Yet despite […]
Middle East Briefing: New year, new dawn
January 2025As a new year dawns, there is cause for cautious hope in the Middle East: a new ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas; a holding ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon; and a new Syrian leadership which promises to respect the rights of minorities. But while there is cause for optimism, many people in the region begin another year amidst war […]
Middle East Briefing: Stories of hope amid conflict
November 2024Over a year since the Hamas-led attack on Israel, conflict in the Middle East has continued to escalate, leaving around 2 million people displaced. But despite the ongoing conflicts, SAT-7 continues to broadcast messages of hope to the region – and viewers keep getting in touch with stories of God at work in their lives. In this month’s Briefing, we’ll […]