All Middle East
Why Yemen's government-in-exile is pressing for Saudi military restraintA close aide to Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi said the exiled leader, fearing the toll from Saudi airstrikes would erode support, wanted a 'swift political solution' in Yemen.
Can Syria's Assad withstand latest battlefield setbacks?A sudden uptick in coordination among Assad's regional rivals and signs of discord in his own ranks are raising anew the question of whether he will be forced to compromise to stay in power.- Why Islamist President Morsi was sentenced to 20 years in prisonOusted President Mohamed聽Morsi's jail term聽underscores the dramatic downfall of聽Morsi聽and Egypt's once-powerful Muslim Brotherhood.
Russia lifts ban on air defense sale to Iran. A game changer?Less than three months before a deadline for an international agreement on Iran's nuclear program, questions remain about how the S-300 missiles deal will affect strategic calculations in Russia, Iran, the US, and Israel.
Former Saddam deputy killed near Tikrit, Iraqi officials sayIzzat Ibrahim al-Douri was killed by Iraqi soldiers and allied Shiite militiamen in a government operation to the east of Saddam's hometown of Tikrit, the Salahuddin provincial governor, Raed al-Jabouri, told The Associated Press.
FocusIn Israel鈥檚 army, more officers are now religious. What that means.The percentage of officer cadets who are religious has grown 10-fold since the early 1990s. Among secular Israelis, that鈥檚 being met with a mix of respect, and concern.
Iran media details spy case against US reporter. Sign of a trial soon?Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian may not be released 鈥� regardless of the legal timeline 鈥� before a June 30 deadline is reached for a final nuclear deal, say analysts.
Yemen Al Qaeda branch says top cleric killed in drone attackIf the drone strike is confirmed, it would be the first use of unmanned aircraft since Yemen sank further into turmoil last month.- Iran's four-point peace plan for Yemen: Will Saudis buy in?The Yemen conflict, though rooted in local rivalries, has become a proxy battlefield for regional powers Sunni-ruled Saudi and mainly Shiiite Iran.
Russia to deliver S-300 missiles to Iran as sign of 'good will' over nuclear talksThe $800 million deal to supply Iran with the sophisticated S-300 air defense system had been frozen for years amid objections from the United States and Israel. Both nations objected Monday.
In rush to reclaim Yemen, exiled leaders risk fracturing itHoled up in Saudi Arabia, the inner circle of President Hadi is rallying tribal leaders to resist Houthi rebels who control much of Yemen. The risk is that if and when they regain power the central government will emerge with little authority.聽
Palestinians agree to military force against IS fighters in Syrian refugee campThe Yarmouk camp in Damascus is home to factions that support Syrian President Bashar Assad and groups that oppose him, and it was unclear whether Palestinians from both sides of the divide had indeed agreed to join forces.
Amid Yemen chaos, US spies a resurgent Al Qaeda affiliateAl Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has continued to plot attacks on the West, even as US drone strikes pound its operatives. Those strikes are on hold since Yemen's president lost power to Houthi rebels.聽
For Afghan women, violence remains entrenched despite gainsGovernments since the Taliban ouster in 2001 have struggled to make progress on preventing widespread domestic and sexual abuse.
Egyptian protester's public killing brings surge of anger over police brutalityShaimaa al-Sabbagh's shooting death at a protest in January has convinced many Egyptians it's time to do something about police brutality, even supporters of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Turkey turns off Twitter and Facebook as censorship growsTwitter and Facebook were temporarily banned in Turkey Monday until they promised to censor an image from their networks.
Facing escalating fighting, UN urges safe evacuation of Palestinian camp in SyriaThe UN Security Council called Monday聽for protection, humanitarian access to the camp, safe passage, and evacuation聽for up to 18,000 Palestinians facing escalating fighting in the Yarmouk聽refugee camp.
Iran nuclear deal: Saudi Arabia fears rival's regional footprintRiyadh worries that lifting sanctions on Iran means greater firepower for its proxy forces, including in Yemen where a Saudi-led bombing campaign continues. Saudi Arabia also wants its own nuclear program, for what is says are peaceful purposes.聽
Nuclear deal: From Iran's pulpits, a sign Rouhani has support from on highIran's foreign minister returned home Friday to a hero's welcome. More importantly, perhaps, prayer leaders signaled support from the supreme leader for the deal.
Iran nuclear deal: Israelis say West gave away too muchA wide spectrum of Israelis described the Lausanne agreement as a naive capitulation to a nation with a track record of deceit and bullying.