All Middle East
- Palestinian Authority unable to pay salaries, even as it pursues statehoodThe Palestinian drive for non-member state status at the UN could trigger Israeli economic retaliation that would end the viability of the Palestinian Authority.
Inside Syria, rebels offer cautious support for unified councilFighters on the front lines of the Syrian war expressed optimism about the new council formed out of Syrian opposition groups.聽
Israeli tanks hit inside Syria, but Israel not eager to enter conflictIsrael is likely to stick with its policy of just rooting for the downfall of President Bashar Assad while refraining from throwing its lot in with any of the opposition groups.
Iran confirms clash with US drone, claims it was in Iranian airspaceThe US says the drone was flying in international airspace; last year, a CIA stealth drone was brought down deep inside Iran. The aerial confrontation comes as more nuclear talks loom.
The ExplainerSudan's Bashir threatens Israel over alleged airstrikeSudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir聽vowed today to retaliate against Israel for a recent alleged airstrike. The Monitor explains the background of the dispute.
How one Syrian family braves life in a divided AleppoThe battle for Aleppo has destroyed entire neighborhoods聽and pushed thousands of residents to flee. For many left behind, savings have been spent and survival is a daily focus.
Why Israel is red and American Jews are blueIsrael would have voted for Mitt Romney by a 2-to-1 margin, but American Jews voted for President Obama by almost the same margin.
Israel moves quickly to congratulate ObamaNetanyahu paid tribute to 'rock solid' ties between the US and Israel. Many Israelis are worried about how the frosty first-term relationship will affect Obama's actions during his second term.
Netanyahu campaign strategy? Put Iran center stage.An Israeli TV scoop about a near-attack on Iran two years ago underscores the lock that Prime Minister Netanyahu, who hopes to prevail in January polls, has on the national security debate.
Syrian rebels root for Romney in hopes of US military interventionDesperate for foreign intervention, some rebels聽say they hope the party that brought on the Iraq war might also bring America to Syria.- Why the Palestinian president shocked his people over 'right of return'President Mahmoud Abbas appeared to give up on a longtime Palestinian demand that refugees be allowed back into homes from before the 1948 founding of the Jewish state.
- US-Israel relations won't be shaken no matter who wins TuesdayUS-Israel ties are arguably stronger and deeper now than at any time since Israel鈥檚 founding in 1948. The relationship tends to rest on shared principles rather than the personalities at the top.
New pope named for Egypt's embattled Coptic 海角大神sBishop Tawadros has become the new pope of the largest sect of Egyptian 海角大神s at a time of increasing difficulty for the minority.
In rebel-held Aleppo, Syrian civilians try to impose law through courts, not gunsThe United Legal Council of Aleppo, formed by lawyers and judges, hears about 15 cases daily, and has buy-in from some rebels. But it faces a tough challenge from those who want to impose their own justice in the war-torn city.
Support for jihadists in Syria swells as US backing of rebels falls shortUS reluctance to provide weapons and cash to Syrian rebels is聽increasing the appeal of joining with well-funded and well-armed jihadists, many of them from abroad.- Istanbul residents rally around their beloved stray dogsAs part of Istanbul's modernization push, the government wants to kick its dogs off the streets and into parks. Some city residents are howling.聽
Yemenis suspect Iran's hand in rise of Shiite rebelsThe growing influence of Yemen's Houthis, a group of Shiite rebels,聽has disrupted the long amicable Sunni-Shiite relationship here, with Sunnis suspecting Iranian interference.
Yemen's 'Death to America' rebels bring calm to northern YemenThe Houthis, a Shiite rebel group that battled the government in northern Yemen for years, has brought stability and investment to its territory. Its rise could threaten US-Yemen cooperation.
Syrians celebrate a wartime wedding in hospital scrubsA hospital inundated with victims of war pauses a moment to celebrate the marriage of two of its staff.
Entrepreneur tries to get Yemenis buzzing about coffee, not qatYemen's best known crop is the narcotic leaf qat, but it was once coffee. A businessman seeks to revive the country's past reputation as a leading coffee producer.聽
