The 21-year-old winner of the Democracy Video Challenge for the Near East and North Africa has had practice dealing with the challenges of making democratic-minded videos: After years of working underground, he had to leave his native Iran to keep doing videos.

Soccer fans displayed green and white Algerian flags alongside red, white and blue American flags under one roof in Virginia for the June 23 Algeria-U.S. World Cup match. Despite the Desert Foxes’ loss to the United States, fans of Algerian soccer remain optimistic about their team’s future.

The White House releases a statement on the increase of U.S. humanitarian aid to Yemen and on the ongoing situation in the region.

The latest protests for human and civil rights in Iran, on the anniversary of the disputed presidential election, have given organizers a better idea of what works and broadened their network of activists to about 90 cities around the world, plus an alternate universe.

The U.S. Department of State releases its response to a question taken at the June 23 briefing on United States comments with Lebanese authorities about groups who were planning to send aid ships to Gaza.

Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Washington on the Iran policy in the aftermath of U.N. sanctions against Iran.

A nuclear armed Iran would “pose an intolerable threat” to the Middle East and undermine global efforts to halt the spread of nuclear weapons, Senate Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry says.

The White House releases a statement on Iran Sanctions Conference Report Agreement.

U.S. Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Stuart Levey testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Iran policy in the aftermath of U.N. sanctions.

A camp for Iranian-American teenagers, Camp Ayandeh, may not sound like the most fun way for kids to spend their summer vacation. Games, yes, but also lectures and workshops. But in 2010, the camp is more popular than ever, with its largest attendance and a connected alumni network.

The State Department releases a statement on the current situation in Gaza by the Middle East Quartet.

The recent arrival of dogs from the Kuwaiti desert to Washington showcases growing ties between Arab and American groups united in their love of animals. Not only are animals finding homes in America, but Arab groups are organizing to reduce stray populations in their own countries.

The White House releases a statement on Israel’s announcement on easing Gaza blockade.

The State Department releases a statement by Secretary of State Clinton on the announcements by the European Council’s and Australia on additional steps against key targets in Iran consistent with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1929.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner announces new financial measures that target Iran’s nuclear and missile programs and bolster recent U.N. Security Council sanctions aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

The United States Treasury Department releases an announcement on the first set of actions in response to President Obama’s call for vigorous enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1929.

Protesters who turned out to mark the first anniversary of the disputed Iranian presidential election say the movement that was born then in Iran might take years to bear fruit, but they will keep pressing for human rights and democracy.

The United States joins 55 other nations in rebuking Iran for its lack of progress in providing human rights protections for its citizens after national elections in June 2009.

Midal Cables is benefitting from the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement by taking advantage of tariff-free exports. Company official Hamid Al Zayani says the Bahraini government and trade organizations are actively promoting the FTA to the country’s business community.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton issues a statement on the anniversary of Iran's disputed presidential election.

The State Department names six international activists — from Uzbekistan, Hungary, Jordan, Mauritania, Brazil and Burundi, along with one from the United States — as 2010 Heroes in the Fight Against Modern Slavery.

The White House releases a statement on Israel’s investigation into the flotilla incident.

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee continues its tradition of honoring Americans dedicated to Arab causes, political, social or cultural. This year’s closing luncheon highlights men and women awarded for raising awareness of Palestinian issues and preserving Arab culture.

Algerian Americans have back-to-back reasons to celebrate every summer. From July 4 to July 5, festivities for the American Independence Day are followed by Algerian Independence Day, marking the country’s freedom from French rule in 1962.

Palestinian-American playwright Betty Shamieh says Arab Americans can follow the example of African Americans by succeeding in arts and entertainment to promote Arab-American causes. Shamieh encourages Arab American families to support their children if they aspire to be artists.

The Iraqi government has assumed management of a four-year-old online library created by U.S. agencies and institutions to give scientists in that nation critically needed access to the latest research in chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics.

Ambassador Susan E. Rice explains the U.N. Security Council's adoption of Resolution 1929, which imposes new sanctions on Iran for failing to live up to its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

President Obama, meeting with Palestinian Authority President Abbas, announces an additional $400 million for public projects and programs in the West Bank and Gaza. The new aid will increase access for Palestinians to clean drinking water, create jobs and build schools, among other things.

Negar Ahkami draws from Persian miniatures and the work of Iranian artists, but she also revels in the power of expressionism and other Western styles to create her paintings. So how does she classify herself? “I consider myself an American artist first and foremost,” she says.