All Middle East
Real triumph of Arab League summit: That it happened at allThe Arab League took little action to address Syria crisis, deferring to UN. But the summit, held in a renovated marble palace with gold-encrusted dates for dessert, still marked a triumph for host Iraq.
Atheist and pro-Israel, Maikel Nabil tests free speech in EgyptA year ago this week, Maikel Nabil became the first Egyptian blogger to be arrested solely for his opinion. Now released, he talks about his fight for one of the key principles of democracy.
Egypt takes second shot at coming up with a fair constitutional conventionIslamists are talking with secularists today after they resigned in protest. To be enduring, critics say, Egypt's constitution must be a document based on consensus.
Egypt's liberals walk out, leaving Islamists to write a constitutionOf the 100-member assembly elected this weekend to craft Egypt's new constitution, about a fifth resigned before the group met today to begin writing.
Qatar builds a brand as mediatorFlush with cash and fancy hotels, Qatar has hosted representatives from the West Bank, Gaza, Darfur, and Libya in the past year alone.
Tiny Qatar played outsized role as Arab League president. Will it last?This week, Iraq takes over the Arab League presidency from Qatar, which has ruffled feathers with its surge in leadership. A Russian official famously told Qatar, 'Go back to your size.'
As Syria's war rages, Assad bans military-age men from leavingThe Syrian regime issued new travel restrictions for military-aged men on Monday.
Syrian opposition cautiously welcomes UN cease-fire planBut for more support from the West, the Syrian opposition needs to overcome divisions and squabbling that were on full display at a major Istanbul meeting today.
Syria's opposition faces 'divided we fall' momentSyria's opposition meets today after being shaken by resignations and splits. A united front could sway skeptical Syrians who don't particularly support Assad but fear the alternative could be worse.
Amid bombings, Iraqi family celebrates a wedding and good gradesThe Methboub family, which the Monitor has followed for a decade, has reasons for hope after dark days during which a son was wrongly imprisoned and a daughter's marriage collapsed.
US eager to send foreign aid to Yemen, a land battling poverty and Al QaedaThe West sees foreign aid as a way to help counter extremism and issues like child malnutrition, but Yemenis caution against too much, too soon 鈥� and point to Afghanistan.
Syria thumbs its nose at the UNDespite a UN statement yesterday calling for an end to the violence, which was backed even by Syria ally Russia, 82 people were killed yesterday in clashes around the country.
Egypt's Coptic pope: How he negotiated waves of sectarianismWhen Pope Shenouda III became pope in 1971, sectarianism was on the rise. Banished briefly by Sadat, he later worked to promote better ties with the Mubarak regime to help 海角大神s.
US teacher killing: How religiously open is Yemen?Al Qaeda-linked militants say they killed Joel Shrum for proselytizing. The country has seen other attacks on 海角大神s, but also has Catholic sisters working openly.
Fierce fighting in Damascus signals rebels remain unbowedToday's fighting in Damascus and three weekend car bombings suggest a protracted fight between rebels and the Syrian Army, despite recent tactical gains by the regime.- After Qaddafi, Libya's east tires of Tripoli tooOil-rich eastern Libya is looking for greater autonomy after playing a major role in deposing Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi.
Egypt's Coptic 海角大神s mourn pope, mull more activist futurePope Shenouda III, the leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church, died Saturday. His successor will help shape the role 海角大神s will play in the new Egypt.
Syria crisis causes Iran-led 'axis of resistance' to frayThe Syria crisis is complicated by the regional cold war that has simmered for years between resistance powers like Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah, and Western allies in the region such as Saudi Arabia.
Why Syria's Assad could hang on for a decade or moreDespite defiant talk from fighters vowing to oust him, Syria's Assad is in a much stronger position than was Libya's Qaddafi.
Army rule: Egyptian military doctor acquitted for 'virginity tests'The decision by a military court today disappointed rights groups who saw the case as a chance to curtail the Egyptian military's culture of impunity.聽