All Middle East
In rebel-held Syria, no polls, no campaign 鈥� just bombsSyrians living outside regime-held areas won't be voting in Tuesday's election, in which President Bashar al-Assad is seeking a third term. Western powers say the election is a sham.
Why the Palestinian unity government won't cut it for IsraelThe new Palestinian government announced today incorporates Hamas, giving the militant group far greater sway in a territory that comes within 11 miles of Tel Aviv.- Israel鈥檚 newest cyberwarriors: ultra-Orthodox JewsA new program blending seminary study with cyber training is part of a broader Israeli effort to integrate its burgeoning ultra-Orthodox population into the army and workforce.
Spicing up Israeli-Palestinian peace effortsTapping into Israel's growing foodie culture, a tour operator is bringing Israelis and tourists into Arab homes in northern Israel to teach them about the distinctive Galilean cuisine.
Behind Syrian regime, a familiar US adversary: IranIran has supplied troops, cash, and know-how to Syria's President Assad, who is standing for reelection on June 3. That support has been vital, but comes at a cost to Iran.聽
A landslide for Egypt's Sisi in an 'undemocratic' electionFormer military chief Sisi, who led a coup in Egypt last July, won 92 percent of the vote in an atmosphere of intimidation and extreme measures to boost voter turnout.
To host ever more refugees, Jordan wants extra cash - no strings attachedJordan, on track to house 1 million Syrian refugees by the end of 2014, desperately needs foreign aid, but is tired of the demands that come with it.
Egypt extends voting by a day in latest bid to boost low turnoutAbdel Fattah al-Sisi is likely to win the presidential election by a landslide, but a large turnout is critical to his legitimacy. Egypt took extreme steps to encourage voting.
Former army chief Sisi leads as Egyptians vote for presidentAbdel Fattah al-SIsi is expected to win the presidency by a landslide. His candidacy has polarized Egypt, with supporters hailing him as a savior and critics calling him a killer.
Lebanese president's term ends, with no one to take his placeLebanese parliamentarians failed to elect a successor to outgoing president Michel Suleiman. The power vacuum could end a reprieve from car bombings and rocket attacks.
Iranian small town teacher shaves head, becomes unlikely national heroAli Mohammadian's kindness toward a bullied student enraptured Iran, earning him a national stamp and possibly a mention in the education curriculum.
Kid-friendly alternative to Facebook takes off in Israeli schoolsThe social network 'Nipagesh,' founded by an Israeli entrepreneur with a 10-year-old daughter, allows only schools to set up accounts, guaranteeing that everyone signed up is actually a kid.
Lebanon tells Palestinian-Syrians it is safe to go back to SyriaLebanon has begun deporting or refusing entry to Palestinian-Syrians seeking refuge in Lebanon. But the door seems to remain open to Syrian nationals.
Lebanese patriarch joins Pope Francis in Israel, stirring controversyIt is against the law for Lebanese to visit Israel, but Cardinal Beshara Rai 鈥� the first patriarch of the Lebanese Maronite church to do so 鈥� says he has a duty to meet followers.
How the Ukraine crisis made Iran a better US partner on SyriaUS and Russia's relations are at their lowest point in decades as the US and Iran hold productive nuclear negotiations. A nuclear deal could unlock cooperation on fixing Syria.
Rival 海角大神 interests undermine Pope's message of Middle East peaceIsrael wants Pope Francis to promote peace on his visit. But with 海角大神s increasingly backing opposite sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, they may be calcifying the divide.
In Iran, no room for 'Happy'Young Iranians who filmed a version of the viral hit 'Happy' were arrested, then released. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini聽once said, 'There is no fun in Islam.'
Forced to flee Syria, young adult refugees stall outSyrians in the early stages of their careers or finishing up university education have lost critical professional years. Personal dreams are also on hold.
Supporters go all-in for Sabbahi, Egypt's long-shot presidential hopefulHamdeen Sabbahi is running against Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, hailed as Egypt's savior since leading a military takeover last summer. Sabbahi's supporters say his ideals won them over.
Rogue Libyan general attracts militia support as parliament flailsLibyans are waiting to see how the government responds to Khalifa Haftar's recent attacks 鈥� but even decisive action is probably not enough to stem rising chaos.
