All Middle East
- Why it matters that Jews are standing on the Temple Mount
Jews are increasingly staking a claim to the Muslim-controlled Temple Mount, testing the Israeli government's resolve to avoid conflict by protecting Muslim sovereignty over the site.
- Egypt court bans Muslim Brotherhood, eliminating its critical social services
The Muslim Brotherhood has funded hospitals and food subsidies, providing critical aid that the state welfare system fails to deliver to many needy Egyptians.
- Leaked video: Iran guiding thousands of Shiite fighters to Syria
Backed by Iran, thousands of Shiites are playing a crucial supporting role for the Syrian regime and the worn-out Syrian Army.
- IDF soldier's murder increases Israeli wariness of peace talks
Even Yair Lapid, considered relatively centrist, referred to Palestinians as "animal-like terrorists" after an Israeli soldier was killed by a Palestinian coworker.
- Assad harvests support from Druze in Israel - with apples
The Syrian Druze living under Israeli control in the Golan Heights are loyal to President Assad because they consider him an economic lifeline and a protector of minority rights.
- Moroccan rights groups move to challenge repressive police
The violent dispersal of protests last month, and rights groups' demands for a judicial inquiry, suggests politics in Morocco may be shifting into uncharted territory.
- How Americans in the West Bank do Sukkot
Americans put their own twist on the Jewish holiday in an Israeli settlement outside Jerusalem.
- Plenty of money for weapons in Syria, little for refugees
Oxfam reports that many countries are far short of their expected humanitarian contributions for Syria, with Russia and Qatar providing only 3 percent.
- FocusHopes are high for Iran's 'diplomatic sheikh' on eve of UN visit
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has preached a message of moderation and cooperation – a sharp departure from his predecessor, known for his anti-West tirades.
- FocusQuoted at the UN: Ahmadinejad leaves fiery legacy
New Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is seeking to change Iran's tone at the UN.
- Iran's prisoner release may signal first push to dismantle security state
The move comes just ahead of President Rouhani's first-ever address to the UN, and is being seen as a message to the West that he is ready to engage.
- Bedouins slam Israel's desert development as 'Nakba in the Negev'
An Israeli development plan for the Negev desert would evict 40,000 semi-nomadic Arab Bedouins, who compare it to the Palestinian expulsion after Israel's founding.
- Modern matchmaking in Jerusalem
Daniella Rudoff is nothing like her Fiddler on the Roof predecessor.
- Could Obama, Iran's Rouhani meet 'accidentally' at the UN next week?
The Iranian government has conveyed a tone of compromise and reason ahead of centrist President Rouhani's first visit to the UN.
- Why Israel hails Syria chemical weapons deal
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu called a tentative US-Russian agreement on dismantling Syria's chemical weapons arsenal a breakthrough that could weaken Iran.
- War in Syria: The stakes for Iran
Iran sees the war in Syria as crucial to its own interests, and sees the conflict as a proxy war to prevent the spread of 'arrogant' US influence in the region.
- War in Syria: The stakes for Israel
Israel is deeply worried about the war in Syria. But has few good policy options. The Jewish state is afraid that Assad might lose - and also that he might win.
- War in Syria: The stakes for Jordan
Syria's civil war has flooded tiny Jordan with half a million refugees and damaged its economy. The Kingdom worries if it isn't careful, that it could get a lot worse.
- War in Syria: The stakes for Lebanon
The view of the Syrian civil war from Lebanon, where sectarian tensions are rising as a result of the war next door.
- War in Syria: The stakes for Russia
For Russia, Bashar al-Assad's Syria is their last remaining ally in the Arab world. The country fears regional chaos could spread if Assad's regime is toppled.