All Middle East
- Why Israel may need to rethink its assumptions on Palestinian unity
Israel criticized Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas for siding with a terrorist group instead of pursuing peace with Israel. But Mr. Abbas can’t enforce peace without unity.
- Tilt towards military unbalances Egypt's ultra-conservative Salafists
Salafist politicians who supported the military-led overthrow of former President Mohamed Morsi, their former ally, are flailing as security forces extend a crackdown on Islamists.
- Europe keeps wary eye on jihadists traveling to fight in Syria
As the number of Western fighters in Syria grows, officials in Europe say the situation could eventually prove more dangerous to the West than Afghanistan.
- Arab entrepreneurs face digital divide in Israel's start-up tech scene
A new office park in Nazareth for Arab tech companies is a symbol of thwarted ambitions. Less than 1 percent of government research grants for tech firms go to Arab entrepreneurs.
- Cease-fires bring patchy peace to Damascus neighborhoods
Syrian opposition sources says rebels are only agreeing to regime-led local cease-fires because the alternative is starvation.
- Four sons killed fighting for Assad, but mother's loyalty to regime endures
Of the estimated 150,000 killed in Syria in the last three years, at least 58,000 were regime fighters – an estimated 20,000 more than the opposition.
- Behind Qatar's bet on the Muslim Brotherhood
Qatar's support for the Muslim Brotherhood through a punishing crackdown in Egypt is in part a bet on the longevity of people-powered political movements.
- FocusCan Israel's natural gas reserves pump up regional peace?
Israel is preparing to export a portion of its offshore natural gas reserves. The resulting business partnerships could hurdle political obstacles to better relations with neighbors.
- Iran ahead of schedule in complying with nuclear deal, UN watchdog says
The IAEA reported that Iran has significantly reduced its stockpile of near bomb-grade enriched uranium and is moving more quickly than required to dispose of remaining stocks by mid-July.
- In Upper Egypt, police avert eyes from ethnic bloodshed
In Aswan, inter-tribal and ethnic tensions run high. Dozens died last week in two days of clashes while the Egyptian police focused on breaking up a local Islamist demonstration.
- Assad offers Syrian voters a first: another name on the ballot
Neither President Assad nor his father ever had an electoral challenger – until this year. But any opposition candidate is likely to be a strawman put up to give the vote legitimacy.
- Libya's PM to step down after gunmen allegedly target his family
Libya's parliament ousted the previous prime minister in March. Abdullah al-Thani said he would stay on as interim prime minister until a replacement is found.
- Cover StoryThe big test facing Iraq
As the first elections loom since the US left four years ago, Iraq struggles to avoid splitting apart amid escalating violence and political paralysis.
- Wealthy Qatar, a backer of Syria's armed rebels, makes room for displaced students
The school uses the Syrian curriculum so that if and when the conflict ends, displaced children can easily resume their education in Syria.
- Overcoming looting and years of war, Iraq Museum moves to reopen
Many pieces looted amid the 2003 invasion have been recovered, and the museum repaired. While tough challenges remain, the staff is optimistic they will soon throw the doors open to the public.
- 'Return to Homs' embeds viewer in an embattled Syrian city
The director of the documentary, shot in the besieged Syrian city between 2011 and 2013, had to line up backup crew and cast in case anyone was killed.
- West Bank settlers derided as terrorists for turning on their own army
Extremist Jewish settlers attacked a nearby IDF encampment after several mobile homes in a settlement outpost were demolished. Israeli security officials called for harsh measures.
- FocusErdogan's missed opportunity to mix Islam and democracy in Turkey
Turkey has prospered under the controversial prime minister. But his modernization agenda has also fueled opposition to his rule and exposed his autocratic style.
- Town by town, Assad regime retakes southwestern Syria
The battle for the last major rebel-held town in Qalamoun looms after a five-month campaign. A regime victory would afford it uninterrupted control of southwestern Syria.
- Syria's latest battle: The PR fight over sanctuary for Christians
Since taking over the Armenian town of Kessab, the Syrian opposition has tried to show it, too, can protect minorities. The regime is determined to disrupt the effort.