All Middle East
Could Saudi pressure tip Lebanon's political balance?Saudi Arabia has lost patience with a country where Iran-backed Hezbollah holds an effective veto.
Jewish or democratic? A textbook battle for Israel's soul.Israeli educators and academics are alleging that right-wing religious political appointees have meddled in a revision of a high school civics textbook to water down discussion of democracy.
UN chief: Syria cease-fire holding despite some fighting, accusationsThe cease-fire has significantly reduced violence across the war-ravaged country, bringing some respite to civilians, particularly from airstrikes.
Iran election surprise: How moderates gained groundA moderate-reformist coalition supportive of President Rouhani overcame disqualifications, a media blackout, and other impediments to chip away at the power of Iran's hard-liners.
Baghdad death toll up to 73 after ISIS market bombingThe market bombings in Sadr City were the deadliest attack in a wave of explosions that targeted other commercial areas in and outside Baghdad on Sunday and brought the day's overall death toll to 92.
Early election results point to gains for Iran's moderatesA victory for reformists would be a boost for President Hassan Rouhani, who championed the Iranian nuclear deal in the face of hard-line opposition.
Syria cease-fire: What happened on Day OneA US and Russian-brokered cease-fire brought calm to some parts of Syria for the first time in years on Saturday. But the Islamic State launched several attacks.聽
Egypt's other uprising: Start-up companies are flourishingDespite a struggling economy and political repression, some Egyptians find that creating a business is a way to work toward a positive future.
Voting extended as Iranians crowd polling stations in crucial electionIranians are electing a new parliament and a clerical body that could pick the country's next supreme leader. On the streets of Tehran, anticipation mixes with skepticism.聽
Iran election: Why youth are voting despite muted expectations of changeThe much-sought-after constituency in Friday's elections sees little chance of dislodging hard-liners, but say President Rouhani has made their lives better.聽
Will lifting of nuclear sanctions on Iran help cash-strapped Hezbollah?Any Iranian relief for Hezbollah will only partly address its client's needs. The militia's support for Syria's Assad is costly, and the US is trying to clamp down on its finances.
On Gaza's border, potato farmers hope to lay groundwork for peaceEven as tensions rise along the Gaza-Israel frontier, potato farmers from both sides are discussing ways to bolster the Palestinians' vital agriculture sector.
While questions remain, US and Russia agree on Syria cease-fire planThe truce will not cover the Islamic State group, the Al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, and any other militias designated as terrorist organizations by the UN Security Council.
Kerry says Syria ceasefire imminent as car bombs explode in HomsBoth sides in Syria's civil war are closer to a ceasefire than ever before, US Secretary of State John Kerry said Sunday. His remarks came amid an attack that killed dozens in Homs.聽
FocusPalestinian developer builds city of dreams, but will they come?Hailed as a building block of a future state, a brand new West Bank city is struggling to persuade Palestinians to move out of their traditional communities.
Egypt author jailed for violating 'public modesty'Egyptian author Ahmed Naji was sentenced to two years in jail on Saturday by a Cairo appeals court after a private citizen complained that an except of Naji's novel caused him to become聽severely ill.
Egypt: Why blasphemy cases are rising under President SisiEgypt's ex-military president, who unseated the Muslim Brotherhood, is criticized for curbing rights and freedoms. But criminalizing blasphemy is popular.
Turkey blames Kurdish rebels, Syria for deadly bombingThe attack came as Turkey had been pressing the US to cut off support to the Kurdish Syrian militias, which Turkey regards as terrorists because of their affiliation with the PKK.
At least 28 killed as Turkish military buses attacked in car bombing, official saysA senior Turkish security source said initial signs indicated that Kurdish militants from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) were responsible.
Islamic State: Why ethnic reconciliation is a tough sell in northern IraqJihadists are on the defensive in battleground states in Iraq, but the mistrust and fear engendered by their murderous campaign present a tough challenge to future cohabitation.聽
