All Middle East
Israel defense chief quits, warns of 'extremist' rise under NetanyahuMoshe Yaalon聽resigned Friday, lamenting what he sees as "extremist and dangerous elements." His departure may pave the way for an ultra-nationalist successor.聽
Syrian refugees: Can Europe help Jordan turn a burden into a boon?With investment from Europe, Jordan is reversing its policy of discriminating against Syrian workers. It's a bid to bolster Jordan's economy while encouraging the refugees to remain in the region.
Baghdad violence stirs local Shi'ite militiaBombings Tuesday in Baghdad and the nearby Sadr City left dozens dead and riled local Shi'ite forces against the fundamentalist Sunni Islamic State, which claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Foreign leaders can't agree on Syrian peace talk scheduleFollowing a meeting in Vienna Tuesday, foreign ministers representing governments opposed to and in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad failed to set a date for continued discussions regarding an end to the Syrian conflict.
Russians step in to protect UNESCO site Palmyra from ISISThe Russian military is setting up barracks close to the town of Palmyra and an archaeological site that has been vulnerable to the control of the Islamic State.
FocusWhy 100-year-old borders drawn by two Europeans still define the Middle EastThe Sykes-Picot agreement, reached a century ago this week, delineated national borders based more on British and French interests than local conditions. But it has proven surprisingly resilient.
Assassination of top Hezbollah officer in Syria shows group's new vulnerabilityThe conflict in Syria has drawn in thousands of fighters from the Shiite militant group, stretching its once ironclad security to the point where its top officers are vulnerable to attack from Israel.
Iran declines to take part in hajj over dispute with SaudisTensions between the longtime rivals soared after Saudi Arabia executed a prominent Saudi Shiite cleric on Jan. 2.聽The two countries also support opposing sides in Syria's civil war.
ISIS car bomb in Baghdad threatens to reignite Sunni-Shiite violenceA car bombing Wednesday, claimed by Islamic State in a Shiite Muslim district of Baghdad, killed at least 63 people. 聽
In battle for Turkish identity, an old Ottoman victory takes center stagePresident Erdo臒an recently accused his country of burying its history and damaging future generations by overlooking a 1916 defeat of the British during World War I.聽
Israeli officer's warning on anti-Arab violence hits a nerveThe Netanyahu government has taken issue with top army general's characterization of trends in Israeli society. The military is seen as an important voice that is above politics.
Top Israeli general faces criticism for comparing Israel to NazisIn a Holocaust Remembrance Day speech Wednesday,聽Major-General Yair Golan said he saw 'remnants' of the process that led to the rise of the Third Reich. When, if ever, are Nazi comparisons appropriate?
Israeli military identifies new militant tunnel, second since 2014 warThe newly found tunnel runs from the Gaza Strip into Israel, according to military officials.聽
Turkey power play: Does Davuto臒lu exit spell longer term trouble for Erdo臒an?Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto臒lu played a key role in Turkey's foreign policy and served as a moderating force amid Erdo臒an's drive for a more powerful presidency.
Syria conflict: How does Russia view the endgame?Both Washington and Moscow may see few options other than dialogue in a conflict that has taken up to 400,000 lives.
Storming Iraq's Green Zone: Wake-up call for political reform?The protests had a staged quality, but they speak to Iraq's entrenched inequalities 鈥� and the popular thirst to address them.
Saudi plan to end oil 鈥榓ddiction鈥�: How will it change the kingdom?Such a shift has the potential to reshape the country鈥檚 regional profile 鈥� though it is unclear if would play a productive role or expand its proxy wars against Iran.
Pro-Sadr protestors breach Baghdad's fortified Green ZoneOn Saturday, supporters of聽influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr聽stormed into parliament, carrying Iraqi flags and chanting against the government.
Collapse of Syrian cease-fire a reprieve for Islamic StateAmid a cease-fire with rebels, the Syrian government had turned its attention to the terrorist group. But it is now refocusing on rebel-held areas.
In northern Iraq, longstanding tensions surge even as ISIS is pushed backKurdish forces and Shiite militias, nominal allies in the battle against Islamic State forces, are trying to control disputed territory 鈥� often violently.聽
