All Middle East
What sanctions? Top five countries buying oil from Iran. Iran is the third-largest exporter of crude oil in the world, behind Saudi Arabia and Russia. Its economy relies heavily on oil exports. According to tallies from June 2011, here is a list of the top 5 importers of Iranian oil.
Top US official: Al Qaeda in Iraq joining fight against Syria's AssadDirector of National Intelligence James R. Clapper's comments marked the first time a top official publicly confirmed the involvement of AQI in Syria's uprising.
Cover StoryWhat would happen if Iran had the bomb?Even as Tehran signals an interest in nuclear talks, many experts have already envisioned what the world would look like if the country got nuclear weapons. It wouldn't be as dire as many fear, but it would unleash new uncertainties - and perhaps a regional arms race.
Unrest in US ally Bahrain takes a more violent turnShiite protesters in Bahrain have begun using Molotov cocktails, while Sunni hard-liners also are urging more extreme measures.聽
After surviving sectarian mob, Egyptian 海角大神s expelled from villageThe case sends a worrying signal that Egypt's new parliament is allowing a Mubarak-era system of local justice to trump the rule of law.
Why a Saudi blogger faces a possible death sentence for three tweetsHamza Kashgari's tweets on the prophet Muhammad's birthday have resulted in charges of blasphemy, apostasy, and atheism 鈥� and Saudi Arabia appears to be making an example of his actions.- Al Qaeda's Zawahiri calls for war to oust Syria's AssadIn a video message, Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri called for Muslims to rally for a war to oust Syria's Bashar al-Assad.
Syria: Why international action remains unlikely even as death toll risesThe Arab League asked the United Nations Security Council to send forces to Syria today to stop the bloodshed there. But international military action against Bashar al-Assad's regime remains unlikely.
Egyptian judges: NGO workers face up to five years in prisonEgypt is defying strong US warnings to back off on its case against 43 NGO workers, including at least 16 Americans, which has led to the worst diplomatic crisis in more than 30 years.
As Syria's Assad pummels Homs, West reluctantly weighs military optionAfter diplomatic efforts at the UN failed Saturday, there is a growing consensus that supporting the rebel Free Syrian Army may be the only way to break the stalemate between Assad and his opponents.
Who is Hamas? 5 questions about the Palestinian militant group. The Palestinian militant group Hamas has agreed to form a unity government led by Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority and head of rival Palestinian faction Fatah. But who is Hamas? What is their relationship with Fatah, and what might Hamas gain from reconciling with them? Here are five key questions about Hamas.
Hamas and Fatah overcome key roadblock to reconciliationFatah leader Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas chief Khaled Meshal agreed in Qatar today that Mr. Abbas would lead an interim powersharing government.聽
Americans face prosecution as Egypt ignores Clinton, CongressEgypt is bringing criminal charges against at least 40 people, including some Americans, in a move that puts $1.3 billion in US military aid to Egypt at risk.- Sunni and Shiite Islam: Do you know the difference? Take our quiz.
Most of the world's major religions are made up of multiple sects or denominations, and Islam is no different. Islam's two major sects are the Sunnis and the Shiites, and the division and interplay between the two is a major factor in the geopolitics of the Middle East. How well do you understand Sunni and Shiite Islam? Take our quiz and find out!
Syria next steps: With diplomacy stalled, escalation expectedVetoes by Russia and China at the United Nations Security Council leaves few diplomatic options available to stem the violence in Syria.聽
Iran's top ayatollah: We're trumping the West, but beware infighting at homeIn a State of the Union-like speech before March elections, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed to press on with Iran nuclear program, but warned of internal divisions between conservatives.
Egypt soccer violence highlights instability under military ruleHundreds were injured and at least one reportedly killed in Cairo today in clashes with police. Protesters were upset that police did little to thwart Wednesday's soccer violence.
Egypt soccer riot: Have police lost control?At least 79 were killed in the Egypt soccer riot yesterday, the deadliest violence since Mubarak's ouster a year ago. Some blame the military regime for stirring up trouble to justify extended its rule.
5 ways Americans and Iranians are surprisingly similar Despite escalating US-Iran tensions, remarkable similarities between their peoples have prompted some to suggest that the US and Iran could one day be powerful 鈥榥atural鈥� allies.
Religious trash talk goes mainstream in Israeli-Palestinian conflictReligious fundamentalists are gaining greater influence on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, complicating peace efforts.