All Middle East
In assault on Kirkuk, Iraqi Kurds see region's reply to independence voteAfter the euphoria of the vote, the advance on energy-rich Kirkuk by Iraqi federal forces signaled a worrisome dynamic for the Kurds: Baghdad's coordination with Turkey and Iran, and internal Kurdish divisions.
First LookResidents of Gaza yearn for economic relief from Hamas and Fatah dealTired of being disappointed by past deals falling through, Palestinians are hopeful that the reconciliation deal between the two rival political factions, Hamas and Fatah, will stick.
First LookA step toward unity: Gaza governing deal reached by rivals Hamas and FatahLeaders of Hamas and Fatah delegations signed a preliminary reconciliation deal Thursday in which Hamas would hand over governing Gaza to the West Bank-based government of Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah.
Old Kabul reborn: Art, culture, and a rare ray of lightA British charity's rehabilitation of one of Kabul's poorest historic districts is doing more than restoring buildings and training traditional artisans. It is 'preserving the soul of the country.'
First LookTrump threatens to blacklist elite Iranian security forceUS-Iran tensions flared as President Trump threatened to list Iran's elite security force, the Revolutionary聽Guard Corps, as a terrorist organization as part of his attack on the Iran nuclear deal. Iran responded saying that such a move would be met with reciprocal action.聽
Palestinian reconciliation? What's driving Hamas and Fatah this time.As Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank press for unity, the factions meet for talks in Cairo. Hamas is showing signs of governing fatigue, but Fatah is wary of Hamas political gains at its expense.
What drove Saudi Arabia to lift driving ban? It's not all about women.Alleviating the burden on middle-class Saudi families is part of it. So is the boon to the economy from enabling women's employment. But it could also be a distraction as the crown prince consolidates power and cracks down on dissent.
ISIS attacks Shiites, but Afghans resist push to make conflict religiousAfghanistan's 16-year war has been political, not sectarian. But the Afghan branch of ISIS is trying to drive a different dynamic, related to its view of Shiites as infidels and the participation of some Afghan Shiites in fighting ISIS in Syria.
First LookPutin hosts Saudi King, signaling development of an unlikely friendshipDespite a history of fighting on opposite sides of countless conflicts, Russia and Saudi Arabia are strengthening ties. Talks between their leaders will address concerns over oil and the Syrian conflict. Some fear that Russia is trying to replace the US, but experts are not worried.聽
First LookISIS pushed out from one of the last strongholds in northern IraqIraq has declared another victory against the Islamic State even as the militants still control towns on the far west Syrian border. France has offered diplomatic help between聽Iraq's government and the autonomous Kurdish region.
Can 海角大神s rebuild their own homeland in Iraqi Kurdistan?In ruined Qaraqosh, once home to Iraq's largest 海角大神 community, returning businessmen are beginning to rebuild, hoping to restore a sense of safety and lure back residents to the 海角大神 heartland.
Facing an even hotter, drier climate, Jordan testing desert agricultureIn a patch of barren land that hasn't yielded crops for centuries, engineers from the Sahara Forest Project say they're designing a sustainable farm that uses solar power to desalinate seawater for crops, then uses the runoff to fend off desertification.
First LookSyrian soccer team gives a war-torn country something to cheer forSyria's national soccer team prepares for a round of playoff games determining who will participate in the World Cup, which would be a first for the country.
First LookPromising signs of reconciliation in the Gaza StripThe Palestinian prime minister paid a visit to the Gaza Strip where Hamas has held power for the past decade. Last week, Hamas relinquished control of the regions government.聽
First LookSaudi government takes on tourism projects to lessen dependence on oilIn an effort to diversify the economy, the Saudi government begins projects to invest in tourism instead of oil. But private real estate developers are concerned the government initiatives won't allow for private investment.
First LookIran scolds Trump for an 'alternative fact' tweet about a missile launchAfter an untruthful tweets about a nonexistent Iranian missile launch聽posted by President Trump, Iran's foreign minister withdraws diplomatic conversations with the United States.聽聽
First LookSaudi women to be granted driving rights in 2018After nearly three decades, women will be allowed to drive beginning next summer. The step toward expanded women's rights is seen as another effort by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to modernize the kingdom.
Defiant, Kurds vote in northern Iraq, seeking path to independenceThe nonbinding referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan, whose Peshmerga fighters have been stout allies in the fight against ISIS, nevertheless elicited warnings from Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and the US.
Cover StoryReluctant champion: How Nadia Murad has become the international face of Yazidi suffering 鈥� and resilienceThe same courage and determination that helped Murad escape from the Islamic State have driven her to travel to more than two dozen countries to tell her story, forcing the world to hear about the atrocities and demanding that ISIS be held accountable for its crimes against Yazidis.
How strongly is NATO ally Turkey pivoting to Russia and Iran?President聽Erdo臒an has taken steps that have alarmed his NATO allies.聽Until recently, Turkey has pursued policies directly opposed to those of Russia and Iran.
