All Middle East
Tit-for-tat kidnappings bring Syria's war into Lebanese backyardsIn northern Lebanon, the kidnapping of a member of the powerful Shiite Jaafar clan has created yet another arena for Sunni-Shiite tensions fomented by Syria's unrest.
Iraq's 海角大神s face hardship, but peaceful Easter also highlights promiseWar and persecution by newly empowered Islamist forces drove Iraq's 海角大神s away, halving the population of the once-thriving community. But a new 海角大神 leader vows to rebuild.
In the Holy Land's columns, frescoes, and desert palaces, Herod the Great lives onKing Herod is best known to 海角大神s for trying to kill the infant Jesus. But he also left his mark with stunning architectural achievements, as seen in a new exhibit at the Israel Museum.
Yemen's victory: Getting everyone in the same room - with no swords drawnEven if聽Yemen's ambitious national dialogue conference聽fails to resolve crucial issues like constitutional reform, it can declare success simply for getting Yemenis to talk to each other.
Iran's support for Syria still appears strong - but is it hedging its bets?Even as it continues to provide military support to the Syrian regime, staunch ally Iran is making preparations for life after President Assad.聽
Islamist militancy quietly makes inroads in post-revolution TunisiaTunisia has been spared most violence since ousting its longtime dictator. But Islamist extremism is growing, and young Tunisian men are heading overseas to fight.
Too much of a good thing? Palestinians realize downsides of foreign aid boomWith food insecurity soaring and GDP declining, Palestinians in the West Bank are waking up to the fact that their foreign aid dependent economy is unsustainable.聽- Ancient Iraq yields fresh finds for returning archaeologistsA British archaeologist, back in Iraq for the first time since the 1980s, has unearthed a palace or temple near the ancient city of Ur that is 'breathtaking' in size.
Report: Sanctions may be speeding Iran's nuclear advancementInterviews with Iranian officials and others reveal that tough sanctions are hurting Iran's economy 鈥� but may also be encouraging defiance by a regime more worried about any appearance of capitulation.
Behind Turkish-Israeli reconciliation, concerns about SyriaThe deal will help rebuild intelligence links between Turkey and Israel. The Turks do not want to be caught off guard by any use or transfer of chemical weapons in nearby Syria.聽
Settlements, not solutions, top agenda for new Israeli governmentWith pro-settler and right-wing parties holding key ministry posts in the new Israeli government, the two-state solution President Obama praised last week may only grow more distant.
Syria fires on Lebanon: Lebanese seethe, government mumSyria's heavy influence over Lebanon tempers government reaction to cross-border attacks, but Lebanese near the border don't feel the same constraints 鈥� and their patience is waning.
Obama to Israel: 'You are not alone'Speaking in Jerusalem today, President Obama sought to drive home the point that US support for Israel is unwavering and that the US understands the litany of challenges that keep Israel apprehensive.
From Turkish jail, Kurdish guerrilla leader offers to lay down armsAfter three decades of war, Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan has proposed a cease-fire agreement to jumpstart steps toward limited self-governance.
As Obama does about-face on settlements, Palestinians question US as 'honest broker'Speaking in Ramallah today, President Obama reversed US insistence on an Israeli settlement freeze before peace talks could begin. The reversal highlights Palestinian frustrations.聽
Is a leader from Texas a good fit for the Syrian opposition?International donors will like Ghassan Hitto, the newly elected leader of the Syrian opposition, because of decades spent in the US, but that undermines his credibility among Syrians.
All signs point to no lethal chemical weapons attack in SyriaAs the Syrian regime and rebels trade accusations of an alleged lethal chemical weapons attack yesterday, chemical weapons experts say there is no evidence that attack occurred.
FocusObama arrives in a Middle East upended since his 2009 visitPresident Obama arrived in Israel today for a regional visit in which he will have to juggle three rapidly ticking time bombs: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Syria's war, and Iran's nuclear program.
Nuclear talks: Iran unmoved by world powers' latest proposalWorld powers and Iran met in Istanbul yesterday to follow up on last month's talks in Kazakhstan. Despite high hopes, the two sides didn't find enough common ground.聽
In Iraq, a tyrant was toppled - and then no one was in chargeThe road to victory in Baghdad that began 10 years ago today was swift. But Monitor journalist Andy Nelson recalls the disquieting collapse of central authority, setting the stage for the war after the war.
