All Middle East
Iranian war photographers: what makes them clickTo get to the front lines of Iran's conflicts in Syria and Iraq, war photographers must overcome the fact that hardly anyone wants them there.
What did Russia's six-month intervention in Syria accomplish?After helping defend the Assad regime, Moscow is now looking to exert its influence on peace talks in Geneva. The Syrian conflict entered its sixth year on Tuesday.
In tougher times, more Saudi women drive for social changeAs the cost of living rises in Saudi Arabia, a new generation of women鈥檚 rights activists is emerging from the working and middle class.
US and Russia sharply divided over Iran missile testsThe US said the tests merit a response from the Security Council, but Russia's contention that the launches did not violate a UN resolution all but rule out any council action.
Putin to pull some Russian forces out of SyriaRussia will maintain its air base and a naval facility in Syria and keep some troops there.聽
For refugees on Turkey's coast, it's still (risky) business as usualLast week's EU-Turkey deal to halt the flow of migrants sailing for Greece has yet to impact the mindsets of Syrian migrants and those who smuggle them into Europe.聽
Turkey carries out airstrikes after deadly bombing in AnkaraThe suicide car bombing on Sunday killed 37 people.聽It was the second deadly attack blamed on Kurdish militants in the Turkish capital in the past month.
Takeover of top Turkish paper seen as presidential power playThe takeover of the Zaman newspaper was only the latest episode, analysts say, in Erdo臒an鈥檚 systematic crackdown on his foes as he seeks to create a powerful presidential system in Turkey.
Iraq: Suicide attack kills at least 47 south of BaghdadAmong the dead were 39 civilians in the attack at a security checkpoint. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but it bore the hallmarks of the Islamic State.
FocusFrom IRA to Islamists, former radicals unite to become a force for peaceOnce in groups ranging from US white supremacists to Irish nationalists to European Islamists, these ex-extremists have formed a network to support each other as they try to help people avoid the errors they made.
Turkish police take over country's largest newspaperRights groups and European officials condemned Turkish police's takeover of the newspaper, seeing it as proof the government silences dissident views.
Afghan Taliban refuse peace talks with government. Why?The Taliban in Afghanistan said they will not participate in a peace process with the Afghan government until other countries stop attacking them and leave the country.
Without a Plan B, Syria truce is holding despite its flawsBoth sides are alleging violations in the Syria truce, for which there appear to be no consequences. But overall the violence has been dramatically reduced.
What's the model for change in Iranian politics? Be patient.President Hassan Rouhani's bloc won a decisive election victory last month but any change will likely be incremental, to the frustration of reformers.聽
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.
