All Middle East
Israelis ponder alternatives to 'mowing the lawn' in GazaIsrael has yet to articulate a long-term strategy for Gaza, but there is a growing consensus that a military operation every few years is not the answer.
Hamas wins over its doubters in Gaza with battlefield prowessEconomic stagnation and political frustration steadily eroded Gazans' support for Hamas after it took over in 2006, but support is rebounding because it is seen as standing up to Israel.
As Hamas confronts Israel, its Arab support swellsThe last time Israel went to war with Gaza, it didn't have to worry about regional diplomatic fallout. The Arab uprisings have changed that calculus.
Can Israel end this war at a time of its choosing?In its latest conflict with Gaza, Israel has fewer mediators in the region to help bring a ceasefire.
Israel's Bedouin Arabs caught in middle as rockets fly in both directionsResidents of the Bedouin Arab town of Rahat are divided between worry for themselves as rockets from Gaza land nearby and worries for their relatives in Gaza facing an Israeli barrage.
For Syrian rebels, a relentless game of cat-and-mouseThe Free Syrian Army attacks regime positions on Syria's southern border, but only holds them long enough to rush supplies and fighters in from Lebanon. Such tactics won't break a grim stalemate.
Gazans flee border areas, fearing Israeli ground invasionBut even inland areas are no haven as Israeli air strikes continue in Gaza. One strike today killed 11 civilians including six children in an attempt to kill a Hamas commander.聽
Israel's Iron Dome provides cover, but not normalcyIsraeli sources claim the Iron Dome missile defense system has successfully shot down most of the rockets that it has tried to intercept from Gaza. 聽
On the Gaza-Israel border, Israeli reservists weigh a ground assaultAs trucks hauled armored vehicles in southern Israel, thousands of reservists headed to training bases, resigned to a ground assault: If the rocket fire doesn't end, said one, 'we'll have no choice.'
IAEA: Iran making steady advances on nuclear programThe UN nuclear watchdog says that Iran installed more centrifuges at Fordow facility, but it isn't using more of them 鈥� yet. Nuclear talks are due to resume soon.
Jordan's crisis: Is an uneasy peace emerging?Jordan protests against the king are the largest and most sustained since the start of uprisings in the region nearly two years ago, but聽the explosive protests expected this afternoon have yet to materialize.- As sirens blare, Israel seeks to punish Hamas without occupying GazaThe Israel-Hamas war that began Wednesday was on the brink of a major escalation, with Palestinian rockets nearing Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Can Israel achieve its objectives?
Where Syria's opposition groups get their rocketsWith few weapons flowing to the rebels fighting the Syrian regime, homemade rockets, mortars, and hand grenades have become increasingly used in the fight.聽
Key test for Egypt's Morsi as Gaza conflict intensifiesSince taking office in June, Egypt's Islamist President Morsi has upheld Egypt's peace treaty with Israel and strictly controlled border crossings. Could the Gaza conflict change his calculus?- A khat-free wedding becomes big news in YemenActivists against khat are finding some traction as the Yemeni love of the narcotic chewing leaf could soon make Sanaa the first world capital to run out of water.聽
Living under rockets: How Israelis are copingA rocket from Gaza killed three Israeli civilians in the highest聽death toll from a rocket attack since Palestinian militants began firing homemade pipe bombs a decade ago.
The ExplainerWhat's the status of Egypt's 海角大神s?The newly chosen Coptic pope finds his people in a perilous situation.
Israeli assassination in Gaza risks wider conflictIf the Palestinian group Hamas makes good on promises of revenge for the killing today of its top military chief, the situation could deteriorate.聽
FocusHow water could bring Israelis, Palestinians togetherA sole joint committee between Israelis and Palestinians survives 17 years after the Oslo Accords: the one on water.
The ExplainerIsrael pushes back on Palestinian bid for new UN statusThe Palestinians are seeking a global mandate for statehood at the United Nations. Israel warns the move would nullify the Oslo Accords.
