All Middle East
FocusWhy Gulf states seek status quo from Iran nuclear negotiationsBehind Gulf States' opposition to Iran's nuclear program is fear that after decades of international isolation and US animosity, Iran could be coming in from the cold.
Proposed truce extension in Gaza collapsesA 12-hour humanitarian lull in the fighting between Hamas and Israel ended Sunday and firing on both sides resumed. Some in Gaza are digging in for a longer conflict.
FocusCan Iran build bridges to regional foes?Islamic State extremists in Iraq have created a common enemy in the region. But Iran has to tackle deep distrust 鈥撀燼nd keep nuclear talks on track 鈥撀爐o forge a new relationship with its Arab neighbors.
Classroom brings a rare, welcome 'escape' for refugees in LebanonSyrian and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon face a multitude of hurdles to complete their educations, like obtaining books or taking exams recognized by their home country. One charity has stepped in to help.
Love in a time of war: Can Tinder, Grindr and kissing selfies ease tensions?Even as Israeli and Palestinian casualties rise, dating sites offer a unique window on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict 鈥� with interfaith couples making their voices heard online.
Amid cease-fire, Gaza residents head home to find widespread destructionIn the city of Beit Hanoun, near the border with Israel, house after house was flattened, reduced to piles of rubble, or an empty shell. For one resident, it was a call to resistance.
Israel extends 12-hour cease-fire, will it go past midnight?Seven nations have asked Israel and Hamas to extend Saturday's cease-fire. Israel reportedly agreed to extend the cease-fire until midnight Saturday to discuss a longer extension.聽 What about Hamas?
One Gaza family's dinner in a brief moment without warA 12-hour truce is under way in Gaza. The night before it started, more than two-dozen relatives, crowded into a small Gaza City apartment to which they have fled for safety, talked of their losses and hopes for more quiet.
Start of a third intifada? West Bank Palestinians flood streetsPalestinian protests are growing in the West Bank, with many seeing more hope in Hamas's resistance model than in PA President Abbas's negotiations with Israel.
Why Hamas is a more formidable foe in Gaza this timeHamas fighters are using weapons and tactics not seen in the 2009 war that mimic those of the more powerful militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Attempted evacuation, then shells take 15 lives at Gaza shelterWitnesses said more than 1,000 people were in the courtyard of the UN school-turned shelter, waiting for buses to take them to a safer place, when the site was shelled.
Under fire in Gaza, and not a drop to drinkThe conflict has exacerbated chronic water shortages in Gaza, with water treatment facilities under fire and sewage spewing into streets. Israel says it doesn't target critical infrastructure.聽
From Aleppo to Armenia: Syrian auto-repair tycoon starts overIn Aleppo, Sako owned an auto-repair business that employed 15 workers. Now the Syrian-Armenian, one of 11,000 to settle in Armenia since the conflict began, runs a small falafel and shwarma stand.
With a single rocket, Hamas rattles its enemyThe suspension of nearly all foreign flights to Israel came after a rocket landed near Ben Gurion Airport, possibly giving Hamas leverage in any negotiated end to the conflict.
Egypt: Deaths in police custody, once a spark for revolt, now met by shrugsAt least 80 detainees have died since last July, when the military seized power and launched a crackdown on dissidents. Former prisoners speak of overcrowding, denial of medical treatment, and mistreatment.聽
Israelis firmly behind Gaza operation as military losses mountTwenty-eight聽soldiers have been killed just four days into the Gaza ground incursion 鈥� almost triple the number killed in Israel's last Gaza campaign.
Pulverized by Israel, Palestinians hold out for favorable cease-fire in GazaSupport for Hamas is growing in Gaza after weeks of Israeli bombardment. Secretary of State John Kerry said Tuesday that the US supports an Egyptian cease-fire proposal rejected by Hamas.
As Kerry heads to Cairo, renewed urgency for Gaza cease-fireIsrael's insistence that its military offensive in Gaza is justified by the threat from Hamas may be undercut by the weekend's spike in civilian deaths and graphic scenes of suffering.聽
Iran nuclear talks: Is a comprehensive deal still on the table?Iran and five world powers agreed last week to extend by four months a deadline for reaching a final deal aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear bomb. But a yawning gulf still has to be bridged.聽
Israeli ground offensive in Gaza triggers shelter crisis for fleeing civiliansOvernight fighting killed at least 60 Palestinians in a Gaza neighborhood, while Israel's army reported its deadliest day in a 13-day offensive. Aid agencies are struggling with more evacuees than during the 2008-09 war.聽