All Middle East
As Israel and Iran wage war, how vulnerable are their economies?Iran鈥檚 prewar economy was beleaguered, while Israel鈥檚 showed signs of recovery. A long conflict will test both their resilience.
In the line of fire, Arab states urge Trump to de-escalate Israel-Iran warDespite their competition for regional influence, Arab states are not rooting for the Iranian regime鈥檚 fall. Led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, they are urging President Trump to seek a ceasefire, and a return to business-friendly regional stability.
Israelis were accustomed to missiles. This was 鈥榚ntirely different.鈥�After 20 months of war in Gaza, Israelis had become somewhat accustomed to missile attacks. The barrage from Iran is causing vastly more death and destruction in Israeli cities, but is raising both stress and resilience among civilians.
鈥榃hat is this smoke, Mom?鈥� A Tehran schoolgirl discovers war.How Iranians are dealing with Israeli airstrikes, which are inflicting unexpected destruction on military and civilian targets.
In Gaza, Palestinians wonder: Is it worth braving bullets to find food?U.S.-Israeli foundation GHF claims it has delivered millions of food packs in Gaza. But stories abound of shooting and chaos near distribution points.
Israel has long weighed bombing Iran鈥檚 nuclear sites. Why it struck now.Israel has long feared that Iran鈥檚 nuclear program was geared toward developing a weapon. Now that Israel has overtly bombed nuclear sites, inviting an Iranian response, is U.S. diplomacy still possible?
Israeli strikes leave Iran few security optionsIsrael said it attacked Iranian nuclear targets to ensure that Tehran never makes a nuclear weapon. But Iran may see such a weapon as its only deterrent.
For divided and threatened Druze, what role in peaceful Syrian future?Syria鈥檚 Druze community is divided among those wanting to work with the government, those seeking autonomy, and others looking for outside aid.
First LookIsrael retrieves body of Thai hostage. 95 people reported killed in Gaza offensive.Israel says the body of Nattapong Pinta was retrieved in a special military operation. He had come to Israel to work in agriculture.
Lawrence of Arabia bombed the Hejaz Railway. Syria wants it to run again.More than a century after Arab revolutionaries blew up the Ottomans鈥� prized Hejaz Railway, located in the geographic heart of the Middle East, Syria鈥檚 new government is pushing full steam ahead on its revival.
How Iran has gone from 鈥楧eath to America鈥� to nuclear talks with TrumpEven as the United States and Iran grapple with each other鈥檚 nuclear red lines, the simple fact of engagement underscores a pragmatic turn for Tehran regarding President Donald Trump.
First LookIran is boosting its enriched uranium stockpile, UN watchdog saysThe International Atomic Energy Agency聽says Iran has further increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels.聽Saturday's report comes at a sensitive time as Tehran and Washington have been holding several rounds of talks over a possible nuclear deal that U.S. President Donald Trump is trying to reach.聽
Amid war, these Palestinians and Israelis say it鈥檚 imperative to talk peaceIsraeli and Palestinian peace activists are swimming against the tide, but they are not giving up.
First Look鈥榃e need to be optimistic.鈥� Syria鈥檚 only woman minister pushes for reform.Hind Kabawat, part of Syria鈥檚 23-member cabinet, feels hope for Syria鈥檚 future after U.S. and E.U. sanctions were lifted. Temporary schools and helping internally displaced people return are the top priorities for the government, she says.
US-Iran nuclear talks benefit from Trump鈥檚 desire for a peace dealAs complex and daunting a problem as Iran鈥檚 steadily advancing nuclear program may be, for now it still may offer President Donald Trump the best option for burnishing his self-image as a deal-maker and peacemaker.
War in Gaza asks Israelis what kind of state they wantAgainst the background of war in Gaza, Israelis face questions about their state鈥檚 identity and future.
As food trickles into Gaza, UN calls US-Israeli plan 鈥榲astly insufficient鈥�An Israel-backed food distribution plan that began in Gaza has left U.N. and other relief experts sidelined and harshly critical. Many Palestinians, desperate and nearing starvation, say the aid is out of reach.
First LookIsrael may change strategy on Gaza aid as concern over hunger crisis mountsAccording to a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Israel may let aid groups operating in Gaza take charge of non-food assistance, while leaving food distribution up to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
Across Arab Mideast, a new alignment rises: An axis of cooperationA new regional alignment rising in the Middle East shifts power away from Iran鈥檚 鈥淎xis of Resistance.鈥� Moderate Sunnis seeking stability and prosperity now have friendly governments in Beirut, Damascus, and Baghdad.
As sanctions fall, long-suppressed Syrian economy is poised to take offAfter Syrian businesses toiled for years to turn a profit, the announced dropping of U.S. and EU sanctions is sweeping the country with rare optimism. The government鈥檚 intent to open the long-closed economy is another cause for hope.
