All Middle East
King Abdullah an 'advocate of women'? What he did and didn't achieve.IMF Chief Christine Lagarde applauded the late Saudi monarch's record on women's rights, such as granting women the right to vote in the notoriously conservative kingdom. Yet many human rights advocates say his work didn't go far enough.
Passing of Saudi King Abdullah felt in Yemen's chaotic descentAs the regime in Yemen crumbled this week, the normally attentive Saudis were absorbed with their own leadership transition: the passing of King Abdullah.
Israel elections 101: Did merger of Arab parties create a power-broker?A new law raising the minimum threshold for representation in Israel's next parliament pushed Israeli Arab parties to merge, raising Arabs' hopes of increased clout.
Mubarak sons walk free in Egypt. Will the former dictator be next?Convicted last year of corruption, Alaa and Gamal Mubarak walked out of jail Thursday in Cairo after a court overturned the verdict. Former President Hosni Mubarak, who was overthrown in 2011, has also been cleared for release.聽
Iran buries general 'martyred' in Syria and vows Israel will payGen. Mohammad Ali Allahdadi of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, who died on Syria's Golan Heights Sunday alongside senior Hezbollah fighters, was buried Wednesday in Tehran. Israel has not officially commented on the incident.聽
Netanyahu says 'incitement' behind Palestinian's rush-hour knife attackWednesday's stabbings in Tel Aviv left at least nine people wounded. Any upsurge in violence could impact Israel's parliamentary elections due in March, and politicians, including Netanyahu, were quick to respond.
Iraq's Kurds scramble to fend off new Islamic State assaultIslamic State militants are trying to recapture territory in northern Iraq and confronting US-backed Kurdish forces. President Obama said in his State of the Union address that 'American leadership' had stopped militants' advance in Iraq and Syria.聽
FocusCan Iraq hold together? How the new Shiite premier is doing.The Obama administration has long advocated a more inclusive government in Baghdad. Shiite Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi still has much to do.
After deadly attack on Hezbollah, militant group weighs its responseAn Israeli raid over the weekend led to the highest number of Hezbollah deaths since a 2006 month-long war between the two. Hezbollah will now have to carefully weigh its desire to inflict a punishing message without escalating the situation further.
Real 'Lone Survivor' hero seeks safety in US from Taliban, and he's not aloneThe Afghan hero made famous by the 'Lone Survivor' movie is seeking asylum in the United States, as well as thousands of others who supported US troops.聽
Israel elections 101: Women demand spots on ultra-Orthodox party listsA new group of devoutly religious women, 'No voice, no vote,' is threatening to withhold support from Israel's ultra-Orthodox political parties unless they are represented on party lists. A tough battle awaits.
The Great Wall of Saudi Arabia?Saudi Arabia is building a 600-mile barrier on their border with Iraq designed to keep Islamic State militants out.
US reporter going to trial, Iran says. Did mother's visit help?The mother of Jason Rezaian, jailed nearly half a year, says she'd like to think her recent trip in which she visited her son and confronted Iranian officials helped 'speed some things along.'
Seriously, a fatwa against snowmen? Saudis push back on Twitter.A prominent Saudi cleric issued a religious ruling against snowmen and other creatures, suggesting 'lifeless' forms such as boats and fruits instead.
Egypt's Sisi urges religious moderation, but no space for insulting imagesPresident Abdel Fattah al Sisi recently聽called on Muslim clerics to eschew intolerant teachings as a counterweight to extremism. But Egypt's show of solidarity with Charlie Hebdo is offset by a new decree on press freedom.
How much has Iran helped Iraq against Islamic State? The answer is political.Some Iraqi Shiite officials credit Iran with saving Baghdad from Islamic State forces, deriding US military support as ineffective or slow. But Sunnis say Iranian assistance comes at a high price.
Cairo bathhouse acquittals: Was TV reporter too close to the story?Debauchery charges brought against 26 men arrested at a Cairo bathhouse spurred international condemnation. In Egypt, a reporter's presence during the police raid raised a storm of criticism.
In Israel, anguish and a dash of politics in solidarity with FrancePrime Minister Netanyahu has arranged for the Jewish victims to be buried in Israel tomorrow, and warns Europe it鈥檚 time to unite against Islamic fundamentalism.聽
Experts cast doubt on Spiegel claim of Syrian nuclear facilityWhat the German magazine describes as a 'secret' Syrian military site has been known to military analysts for some time, and is generally viewed as a weapons depot or communications hub.
Asian soccer tournament is field of dreams for Palestine's playersPalestine has qualified for the first time for the Asia Cup, hosted by Australia. Palestinian officials say that Israeli security restrictions have held back the national soccer team and see its participation as a symbol of global recognition.
