All Middle East
Islamic State puts up heavy fight against Iraqi troop advance on RamadiRamadi city was captured by IS in May. After the Iraqi Army made an聽initial push across the Euphrates River to reclaim it, its progress has stalled.
Syrian army kills 17 Islamic militants in country's southThe explosion was the latest blow to the rebels after the assassination of Zahran Allouch,聽a powerful rebel leader, on the outskirts of Damascus.
Saudi Arabia hospital fire kills 31, injures over 100The blaze broke out in the early hours of Thursday聽around the Saudi hospital's聽intensive care, maternity, and neonatal care wards.聽All babies in incubators were rescued, the health ministry said.
Just don't call it Christmas: In Israel, Russian holiday coming out of closetNovy God, a Soviet-created secular holiday that borrowed from Christmas and New Year's, was embraced by Russian Jews and is gaining acceptance in Israel.
海角大神s celebrate Christmas Eve in Bethlehem amid violence海角大神s from around the world descended Thursday on the biblical city of Bethlehem聽for Christmas Eve celebrations,聽as clashes between Israeli and Palestinians dampened the typically festive mood.
Christmas in Lebanon: Palestinian refugees extend hand to SyriansOn the Saturday before Christmas, Palestinian 海角大神s hosted a celebration at their small refugee camp in Lebanon. 'We know what the Syrians are going through.'
Turkey set to restore diplomatic ties with Israel. Why now?A fallout with Russia that threatens Turkey's gas imports is a prime reason to restore ties with Israel, but the Gaza blockade remains a sticking point.
US airstrike on Iraqi soldiers a 'mistake,' says Ash CarterA US airstrike Friday may have killed 10 Iraqi soldiers battling ISIS near Fallujah.聽U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Saturday it was a "regrettable" mistake.
The ExplainerIran nuclear deal: Implementation nears, but the sparring continuesIran is moving faster than expected, the US says, raising the possibility of sanctions relief in January. But hard-line rhetoric persists on both sides.
Coffee, tea, and diplomacy: Palestinian parlor meetings target Israeli publicAmid official pessimism on both sides, a Palestinian initiative seeks to change Israeli hearts and minds by meeting face to face.
Saudi bid to lead anti-terror campaign raises questions of intentSaudi Arabia, which is heading a Muslim anti-terror coalition, has long pursued policies that critics say have spread extremism across the Muslim world.
The ExplainerNew Libya peace deal: What could go wrong? Plenty.A UN-brokered deal to create a national unity government in Libya is to be signed Thursday in Morocco. But who signs and who doesn't is just one of the challenges.
Saudi Arabia forms 34-nation Islamic alliance to fight terroristsThe new counterterrorism coalition includes nations such as Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt as well as war-torn countries with embattled militaries such as Libya and Yemen.
UN documents human rights situation in Afghanistan's Kunduz provinceThe UN report documents 289 deaths and 559 civilian injuries that occurred in Kunduz city and the surrounding area when it was overrun by the Taliban and the subsequent Afghani government counter-offensive to retake the city.
Can bitter rivals, both sons of murdered fathers, move Lebanon forward?Lebanon's political vacuum threatens its stability and even an economic collapse. Now a power-sharing deal that defies the country's blood-soaked past has been proposed.
Why modern Jordan sees value in a tribal law blamed for flawed justiceJordan's nomadic tribes resolved Hatfield-McCoy-like feuds by relocating clans. Derided as collective punishment, jalwa may yet be helpful in regulated form.
Saudi women face off against men for first time in electionsFor the first time ever, Saudi women can run and vote in a government election.
Putin-Erdogan clash leaves Turkey's merchants holding the (unsold) bagAfter Turkey downed a Russian bomber along the border with Syria, the clash between the two leaders has become personal. Russian sanctions are already biting.
Can Israel halt the stabbings? Hard right and military disagree on how.Palestinians in the southern West Bank are facing severe travel restrictions, but hard-line members of Israel's government are seeking tougher measures. The military disagrees.
To avenge or not? At funeral in Bekaa Valley, it's not really a question.The funeral followed a prisoner swap in Lebanon with Syria-based jihadists in which 16 Lebanese soldiers were freed and Mohammed Hamiyeh鈥檚 body repatriated.
