All Middle East
Two years after Mubarak, his prison torture apparatus still wounds EgyptHuman rights activists hoped a democratic government would bring reform to Egypt's prison system, but two years after the revolution, they are still calling for an end to torture.聽
In Benghazi, militias may promote security one day, threaten it the nextAnsar al-Sharia, the Libyan Islamist militia publicly blamed for the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi last month, has disappeared from the city's streets. Not all locals are happy about that.
With Turkey-Syria escalation, worries grow about a tip into warWith Turkey and the Syrian regime on opposite sides of the antigovernment uprising in Syria, flare-ups like the Turkish grounding of a Syrian jet this week carry great risk of tipping the two into open conflict.聽- In Egypt's draft constitution, little sign of revolutionary idealsA partial draft of Egypt's new constitution released yesterday has prompted warnings that it restricts rights such as freedom of expression and religion.
Syrian rebels fight to keep route to safe havens in LebanonThe Syrian Army's pounding of the territory between Homs and the Lebanese border has sent hundreds of Syrian fighters and civilians fleeing to the Lebanese town of Masharih al-Qaa.
Israel's 'unchallengeable' Netanyahu calls elections at prime momentIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called early elections yesterday, appearing to count on his experience and high public support to ensure a third term.
Will Palestinians accept Romney's outstretched hand?Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is trying to step back from harsh remarks made about Palestinians earlier in the campaign.
Morocco admits to police abuse, tarnishing model response to Arab SpringMorocco was lauded for its response to last year's democracy protests, but there have been regular accusations of abuse from detained protesters. Two weeks ago, the justice minister admitted it.
Can a dying language revive Lebanon's 海角大神 population?Lebanon's Maronites used to play a crucial role in the region, but their power and sense of identity are waning. One organization hopes to reverse that by reviving their ancient language, Syriac.- Hamas election boycott leaves West Bank Palestinians with only one choiceCampaigning begins today for West Bank local elections this month. Hamas might have done well in some cities, like Nablus, but its boycott means rival Fatah is already the de facto winner.
In Libya, a patchwork of militias keeping the peace, and straining itThe murders of US Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans in Benghazi last month were a reminder that militias can make for poor security forces.
Turkish villagers thrust into center of Syria-Turkey tensionsResidents of the Turkish border town of聽Ak莽akale buried their dead and blamed their government in Ankara for not acting sooner to stop Syrian shelling.
Iran's currency: Why did the rial tumble so precipitously?US sanctions played a role. However, Iranians aren't blaming the US, they're blaming their own government.
For Libyans, Amb. Stevens was simply 'Chris'US Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, who was killed last month, made a rare and powerful difference as a US diplomat through his accessibility to Libyans.- Rioting forces UN staff to abandon Syrian refugee camp in JordanThe UN evacuated staff from the Za'atari refugee camp twice in the last day. With winter weather bearing down on the roughshod camp, the conditions refugees rioted against will only worsen. 聽
In Libya, the man who would avenge Amb. StevensFahed聽Bakoush shot some of the last footage of US Ambassador Christopher Stevens. He and other young activists have since help oust a violent militia from Benghazi.
Most Jordanians say no to more Syrian refugeesWith the number of Syrian refugees in Jordan topping 100,000, 65 percent of Jordanians oppose allowing any more to enter the country, insisting their cash-strapped country is at capacity.
Israel scrambles Palestinian 'right of return' with Jewish refugee talkSome 856,000 Middle Eastern Jews fled their home countries after Israel's founding. If Palestinian refugees are to be considered for compensation, these Jews should be, too, Israel argues.- Activists: Now, yes now, is the time for US to push for MidEast peaceIsraeli-Palestinian group聽OneVoice is bucking conventional wisdom and trying to drum up support in America for another presidential push toward a final agreement.
Netanyahu's simple bomb graphic confuses the nuclear expertsIsraeli Prime Minister Netanyahu sought to simplify the Iranian nuclear issue with the diagram he brought out on the UN podium, but experts say he actually made it more confusing.
