All Middle East
With civilian drone competition, Iran battles against brain drainAt a manicured technology park outside Tehran, drone builders vied for prize money. But the contest also sought to provide team members with hope for a future in Iran.
UN warns of 'merciless abyss' in besieged eastern AleppoThe U.N.'s humanitarian chief Stephen O'Brien told the Security Council that the conditions had descended into the "merciless abyss of humanitarian catastrophe."
Saudi foreign ministry condemns passage of U.S. Sept. 11 lawThe foreign ministry expressed hope that the U.S. Congress would correct the legislation.
First LookWorld leaders pay respects ahead of Shimon Peres鈥檚 funeralAhead of Shimon Peres's memorial service, which will be held on Friday, world leaders have paid their respects to a statesman whose seven-decade career helped lead the country in both war and peace.- Shimon Peres, pragmatist and visionary who embodied Israeli sagaIn different phases of his life, Nobel Laureate Shimon Peres, a former president and prime minister, sought to prepare Israel for both war and peace.
Making of a 'martyr': Why would a young Iranian fight and die in Syria?Almost a year ago, a 20-year-old Iranian's quest for martyrdom was realized in Syria, in battle with the so-called Islamic State. Today Iran trumpets his sacrifice as proof of passing the ideological torch to a new generation.
Iran releases Canadian-Iranian professor held since JuneHoma Hoodfar聽was released from prison on "humanitarian grounds" and flown out of Iran on Monday.
Writer鈥檚 killing upsets Jordan's delicate balance between religion, free speechProsecuting individuals for insulting religion puts Jordan in a tough spot between a largely conservative society demanding justice and the nation's international commitments to human rights.
As Syria cease-fire fades, battle for Aleppo reignitesResidents say air strikes on eastern Aleppo have been more intense than ever, using more powerful bombs. President聽Assad and his allies seem more determined than ever to crush the nearly six-year-old rebellion by force.
Remarkably unremarkable: Rouhani's UN visit sign of new US-Iran normal?What stood out about the Iranian president's visit to New York was how much less strident US-Iran relations have become.
If Syria cease-fire is officially abandoned, what can be done next?For the US, how to deal with Assad without striking the Russians is a key issue 鈥� as is dealing with Syria's neighbors to consolidate spheres of influence.
Can Iran hard-liners make Rouhani a one-term president?Rouhani鈥檚 opponents 鈥� who see him as a threat to many of their interests 鈥� are targeting a struggling economy and the nuclear deal in bid to unseat him in 2017.
Airstrike kills five in international mobile medical team in northern SyriaThe Paris-based International Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (UOSSM) said the attack Tuesday night leveled a mobile medical unit near Aleppo. The聽attack follows a Monday night airstrike on a Syrian Arab Red Crescent aid convoy.
Aid convoy attacked as Syria calls cease-fire finishedThe U.N. and Red Crescent convoy was delivering assistance for 78,000 people in the town of Uram al-Kubra, west of Aleppo city.聽
In a first for Middle East politics, 海角大神s and Islamists stump togetherA major Islamist party in Jordan is fielding four 海角大神s among its list of candidates for Tuesday's parliamentary election. Muslim candidates 鈥� and voters 鈥� are coming out to support them.
Persian Gulf incidents spike, sending message from Iran hardlinersThreatening encounters between the US and Iran have risen recently in the Persian Gulf, with at least 32 reported so far this year, compared with 23 in all of 2015.聽
Moscow says strikes on Syria army threaten U.S.-Russia ceasefire planThe U.S.-led coalition air strikes, killing more than 60 Syrian soldiers on Saturday, borders on "connivance with Islamic State terrorists," the Russian Foreign Ministry said. Violence has restricted the delivery of humanitarian aid throughout the ceasefire.
Would decentralizing Syria offer a path to peace?Handing off more power to localities is popular with many Syrians. But they also want a single, unified country, and they suspect that decentralization would end up splitting the country entirely.聽
First LookSyria ceasefire: Will humanitarian aid reach people?A number of physical, political, and bureaucratic roadblocks have prevented food, medical items, and other necessities from reaching civilians in besieged zones during the seven-day truce.聽
Syrian cease-fire: US, Russian leverage with warring sides faces severe testThe US-Russian cease-fire deal is threatened by deep hostility and mistrust between Syrian rebels and the regime, as well as a perception that the deal is weighted in favor of Assad.
