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".
The Briefing – September 2021
September 2021Twenty years after 9/11, the shockwaves of the NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan are being felt widely. Within the country, those who have benefitted most from increased freedoms, educational and work opportunities, along with those who cooperated with international companies and forces, have had most to fear from the swift Taliban takeover. This includes Afghanistan’s underground Christian community of an estimated […]
THE BRIEFING – JULY 2021
July 2021As a 20-year war led by US forces against the Taliban draws to an end in Afghanistan, concerns grow for the safety of the civilian population in the light of Taliban advances. Meanwhile, basic needs for water, food and fuel are uppermost in minds in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon. Two decades ago, in response to the 9/11 attacks by al-Qaeda, […]
The Briefing – June 2021
June 2021The results of two recent elections – in Iran and Israel – are set to have a major impact on the future of the region. In Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, the head of the country’s judiciary, will become the next president in August. Presidential elections on 18 June saw the lowest turnout since the founding of the Republic in 1979. But […]
THE BRIEFING – MAY 2021
May 2021Sadly, the Middle East only seems to get the world’s attention when there are heartbreaking events to report. The last week has been no exception. Protests over the threatened evictions of Palestinians in Jerusalem and violence at the Temple Mount/Noble Sanctuary made for a febrile atmosphere over the Ramadan festival. This escalated with the firing of missiles at Israeli cities […]
The Briefing – April 2021
April 2021The Middle Eastern Christian communities that follow the western calendar came together this Easter to remind themselves of Christ’s victory over death and the coming of God’s kingdom in a broken world. Continuing conflicts and rivalries showed it’s a message that is much needed in the region. Thousands of Christians in Jerusalem processed down the Mount of Olives in the […]
THE MIDDLE EAST BRIEFING – MARCH 2021
March 2021For once, this month global media attention was drawn to the region for positive reasons. The visit of Pope Francis to Iraq shone a light on a community hoping for healing and reconciliation and on the historic presence of Christians in the Middle East. In Iraq, this month saw the first ever visit of a Vatican Pope. Despite security and […]
THE BRIEFING – FEBRUARY 2021
February 2021The people of the Middle East often seem to have more than their share of the world’s tragedies. Some make it to the news, others barely, but all leave deep scars and questions of whether their lives have value, or whether they and their families have a safe and prosperous future. Last weekend, a fuel tanker explosion at an Iran–Afghanistan […]
THE BRIEFING – JANUARY 2021
January 2021The Briefing’s Middle East analyst outlines the factors that will shape the next year in the region. Another year starts with hopes, fears, anxieties and prayers. It is almost impossible to remember that last year began with the US strike against a major Iranian defence figure, Qassim Soleimani, which led many to think that 2020 could bring war with massive […]