All Middle East
Assad offers Syrian voters a first: another name on the ballotNeither President Assad nor his father ever had an electoral challenger 鈥撀爑ntil this year. But any opposition candidate is likely to be a strawman put up to give the vote legitimacy.
Libya's PM to step down after gunmen allegedly target his familyLibya's parliament ousted the previous prime minister in March. Abdullah al-Thani said he would stay on as interim prime minister until a replacement is found.聽
Cover StoryThe big test facing IraqAs the first elections loom since the US left four years ago, Iraq struggles to avoid splitting apart amid escalating violence and political paralysis.
Wealthy Qatar, a backer of Syria's armed rebels, makes room for displaced studentsThe school uses the Syrian curriculum so that if and when the conflict ends, displaced children can easily resume their education in Syria.
Overcoming looting and years of war, Iraq Museum moves to reopenMany pieces looted amid the 2003 invasion have been recovered, and the museum repaired. While tough challenges remain, the staff is optimistic they will soon throw the doors open to the public.
'Return to Homs' embeds viewer in an embattled Syrian cityThe director of the documentary, shot in the besieged Syrian city between 2011 and 2013, had to line up backup crew and cast in case anyone was killed.
West Bank settlers derided as terrorists for turning on their own armyExtremist Jewish settlers attacked a nearby IDF encampment after several mobile homes in a settlement outpost were demolished. Israeli security officials called for harsh measures.
FocusErdogan's missed opportunity to mix Islam and democracy in TurkeyTurkey has prospered under the controversial prime minister. But his modernization agenda has also fueled opposition to his rule and exposed his autocratic style.
Town by town, Assad regime retakes southwestern SyriaThe battle for the last major rebel-held town in Qalamoun looms after a five-month campaign. A regime victory would afford it uninterrupted control of southwestern Syria.
Syria's latest battle: The PR fight over sanctuary for 海角大神sSince taking over the Armenian town of Kessab, the Syrian opposition has tried to show it, too, can protect minorities.聽The regime is determined to disrupt the effort.
Turks' faith in the ballot box faltersFor decades, Turkey's elections have been considered largely free and fair. But irregularities in last week's provincial and local elections have undermined one of the remaining trusted institutions.
From Israel, strong signs this round of Mideast peace talks is overIsraeli concessions to extend already limping peace talks with the Palestinians beyond the end of this month seem very unlikely.
Fighting Syria spillover, Lebanese troops deploy in Bekaa ValleyThe Syrian civil war has been aggravating sectarian tensions in Lebanon, and creating room to operate for kidnappers and smugglers. The Lebanese army is trying to get control of the situation.
In Morocco, reporting about terrorism is akin to inciting itAli Anouzla, a聽leading Moroccan journalist, and his news website Lakome聽are under fire for linking to an Al Qaeda propaganda video. Anouzla says it is an excuse to silence a government critic.
In Lebanon, 1 million Syrian refugees live on $1 a dayThe UN registered Lebanon's 1 millionth refugee today. The organization is struggling to keep up, with only 14 percent of its funding needs for 2014 met.聽
Safe in exile, Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood leaders now risk irrelevanceBritain is investigating whether Muslim Brotherhood members planned terror attacks in Egypt from London. After months in exile, Brotherhood leaders have little connection to events on the ground.聽
Why some hail the unraveling of Israeli-Palestinian peace effortsMany Palestinians, as well as some Israelis, support President Mahmoud Abbas's refusal to keep talks brokered by US Secretary of State John Kerry going after months of inaction.
After two decades in prison limbo, released Palestinian rebuilds his lifeKhaled Asakreh was released seven months ago, after 22 years in an Israeli prison. Another batch of veteran Palestinian prisoners is awaiting release as part of John Kerry's peace efforts.
Erdogan's critics fear crackdown after Turks deliver his party a victoryTurkish Prime Minister Erdogan's party triumphed in yesterday's local elections. Within hours, the websites of news outlets linked to a political rival went down.
Gingerly, Iran begins to rock outIn 2008, Iran banned all pop music. But a recent female solo performance signals growing freedom in a country where heavy metal musicians have been told to stay seated on stage.
