All Middle East
Iraqis hail anticorruption reforms, but legal and political hurdles remainPassage of the political reforms aimed at reducing corruption, following a wave of public protests, produced euphoria over 'a new chapter for a new Iraq.'
In Iraq's anticorruption reforms, a rejection of US-backed modelThe US had demanded broader representation of Iraq's ethnic groups in top positions to enhance government legitimacy. But the expensive posts, seen as encouraging corruption, are being eliminated.
Iraqi parliament approves government reform planThe reforms dismantle parts of the top-heavy government created in the wake of the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein.
Islamic State recruiters a source of anguish in conservative Kurdish townThe suspects in two recent bombings in Turkey came from Adiyaman, where Islamic State recruiters had been active. Relatives of the suspects complain that police had failed to heed their warnings about the militants' tactics.聽
US journalist could soon learn verdict in Iran spy caseThe case against Jason Rezaian has been playing out as Iran negotiated with the US and other world powers to reach a landmark deal that gives the Islamic Republic relief from crippling sanctions in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program.
Father of toddler killed in West Bank firebombing has diedThe father of a Palestinian toddler killed in a firebomb attack blamed on Jewish extremists has died of wounds sustained in the same incident. Ali Dawabsheh, 18 months, perished in the flames, while his 4-year-old brother and parents were seriously hurt.
Syrian talks with rebels stumble on 'sectarian cleansing' allegationsSyria and its ally Iran are negotiating with rebels over a population swap: Sunnis would leave a town sought for an evolving Assad regime enclave in return for the transfer of besieged Shiite communities.
Amid pomp and fanfare, Egypt unveils Suez Canal extensionAmong those at the ceremony were French President Francois Hollande, King Abdullah of Jordan, and Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
After deadly attack, Israel arrests extremistShin Bet has accused Meir Ettinger of heading an extremist movement seeking to bring about religious "redemption" through attacks on 海角大神 sites and Palestinian homes.
Under Islamic State's strictures, health care falls on harder timesResidents of the 'capital' in Raqqa face rising costs and scarcer drugs. Bigger challenges are rules for women, jihadists' risky behavior 鈥� and concern about a possible AIDS outbreak.
Former Iranian president Ahmadinejad returns to political stageHe remains popular among the rural poor because of his government's decision to provide monthly cash handouts after cutting food and energy subsidies, and because of his condemnation of capitalism and injustice.
Report: US-led strikes in Iraq, Syria killed 459 civiliansThe US launched airstrikes in Iraq on Aug. 8 and in Syria on Sept. 23 of last year to target the Islamic State group.
Syrian war: As neighbors seek border enclaves, a de facto partition?The US and Turkey have designated a zone in northern Syria for flushing out Islamic State. Jordan is also considering a similar zone in southern Syria, as President Bashar al-Assad is forced to pull back his forces. 聽
Israel approves jailing Jewish militants without trial to resolve lethal arsonIsrael approved detaining citizens suspected of waging violence against Palestinians without trial on Sunday. It is part of a measure to find and capture who was responsible for a lethal West Bank arson attack blamed on Jewish militants.
Egypt court postpones Al-Jazeera English verdict to Aug. 29An Egyptian court on Sunday has delayed announcing a verdict in the retrial of three Al-Jazeera English journalists again. The journalists聽have been charged with aiding a terrorist organisation, a reference to the banned Muslim Brotherhood.
Why Turks, Kurds may want to keep wounded peace process aliveThe easy analysis about the clashes between Turkey and Kurdish PKK militants has been that the peace process is finished. But both sides have benefited from peace.
Turkey's 'risky' two-front war: political opportunity for Erdogan?As Turkey takes on the Islamic State and Kurdish separatists, Erdogan says Kurdish lawmakers could face legal action. Their party's recent success denied the president's ruling party a majority in parliament.聽
Israeli bulldozers start demolishing West Bank settlementTempers are high among some in the settler community as it marks a decade since Israel's 'disengagement' from the Gaza Strip.
Turkey vs. Islamic State: What they risk as conflict escalatesEven as both sides escalate their rhetoric, many in Turkey see the Kurdish PKK as a bigger threat than the Islamic State.
NATO pledges 'strong solidarity' in Turkish fight against ISA NATO official said members also used the closed-door meeting to call on Turkey not to use excessive force in reaction to terror attacks.
