All Middle East
- In Jerusalem, the politics of digging up the past
As a nexus of religions, and archaeology, Jerusalem inspires intense fights over moving even a single 'grain of dirt.'
- Iran nuclear talks: Does one side hold the trump card?
Both the US and Iran think they are the stronger party as they head into nuclear talks this week. But that could cause deal-breaking miscalculations.
- Will Syrian refugees transform or threaten Jordan's economy?
Syrians fleeing civil war are straining Jordan's resources, but they are also filling a gap in the economy as they set up small businesses and take jobs that Jordanians won't.
- Jerusalem life: 'Are you aware? Women should not be strolling outdoors'
Flyers cast off a balcony during a large funeral gathering in Jerusalem give this reporter a crash course in modesty, at least by one fringe group's standards.
- Why no one stopped the kidnapping of the Libyan prime minister
Powerful Libyan militias resent Prime Minister Zeidan as a symbol of a government that would rein them in – if it could.
- Gaydar in the Gulf? Kuwaiti official reveals regional plan to 'detect' gays.
But the plan to identify and bar gay foreigners is a serious concern in Gulf countries, where homosexuality is punishable by prison time, or even death.
- US nabbed target in Libya raid, but has it sowed bigger problems?
The US suspects Abu Anas al-Liby of being behind 1998 bombings in Kenya and Tanzania. But its raid may have weakened Libya's government and given militants a cause to rally around.
- Do the US and Iran need trust to strike a nuclear deal?
Next week's talks on Iran's nuclear program are the first since the phone call between Presidents Obama and Rouhani. Mutual mistrust doesn't have to stop a deal, some say.
- Is Erdogan punishing a Turkish business empire for helping protesters?
Turkey's Koc Holding has been investigated repeatedly since helping antigovernment protesters this summer. Will that chill investment?
- Israeli lawmakers pay President Abbas an unprecedented visit in Ramallah
A third of the Israeli parliament has joined a new caucus promoting a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They hope to give negotiators a 'tailwind.'
- Revenge attacks rock Egyptian security forces
Attacks on Egyptian security installations have spiked since the military takeover in July. Today's attacks are likely retaliation for police violence at antimilitary protests yesterday.
- Israel's Rabbi Ovadia Yosef remembered as spiritual and political powerhouse
Rabbi Ovadia Yosef was a religious giant with an immense following. Under his leadership, the Sephardi Jewish political party Shas became a kingmaker.
- Kerry praises Assad for acting on Syria's chemical weapons in 'record time'
A week after a UN resolution on Syria's chemical weapons, some have already been destroyed.
- 34 Egyptians killed in clashes as identity politics turns violent
At the root of today's deadly clashes in Cairo are dueling opinions over whether the current military leadership or ousted Islamists best embody Egyptians' national identity.
- Libyans consider US raid in Tripoli one step too far
Libyans appreciate the US for its support of the 2011 revolution, but resent unilateral actions like Saturday's raid on an Al Qaeda target in Tripoli.
- Iranians launch #jeans protest on Twitter, taking jab at Netanyahu
The #jeans protest is a response to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's comments that Iranians are governed by a cult that bars them from wearing jeans, among other forms of expression.
- Syrians run for dignity in Amman marathon
The Syrians running the Amman marathon were accompanied by Jordanians in a show of solidarity that underscored their resilience.
- In Tunisia, blood ties no longer a minimum requirement to do business
In pre-revolution Tunisia, there was little room for entrepreneurs like Anis Aouini, who seeks to transform how Tunisians get energy, but lacked connections to the president.
- FocusThe chemical weapons trail: Inside the mission to destroy Syria's arsenal
The international effort to destroy Syria's chemical weapons stockpile is unprecedented for its tight deadline and dangerous security situation.
- FocusIraq offers lessons on destroying Syria's chemical weapons
Iraq is the only other country that has been forced to surrender its chemical weapons.