All Middle East
For Syrian rebels, a relentless game of cat-and-mouseThe Free Syrian Army attacks regime positions on Syria's southern border, but only holds them long enough to rush supplies and fighters in from Lebanon. Such tactics won't break a grim stalemate.
Gazans flee border areas, fearing Israeli ground invasionBut even inland areas are no haven as Israeli air strikes continue in Gaza. One strike today killed 11 civilians including six children in an attempt to kill a Hamas commander.
Israel's Iron Dome provides cover, but not normalcyIsraeli sources claim the Iron Dome missile defense system has successfully shot down most of the rockets that it has tried to intercept from Gaza.
On the Gaza-Israel border, Israeli reservists weigh a ground assaultAs trucks hauled armored vehicles in southern Israel, thousands of reservists headed to training bases, resigned to a ground assault: If the rocket fire doesn't end, said one, 'we'll have no choice.'
IAEA: Iran making steady advances on nuclear programThe UN nuclear watchdog says that Iran installed more centrifuges at Fordow facility, but it isn't using more of them – yet. Nuclear talks are due to resume soon.
Jordan's crisis: Is an uneasy peace emerging?Jordan protests against the king are the largest and most sustained since the start of uprisings in the region nearly two years ago, but the explosive protests expected this afternoon have yet to materialize.
As sirens blare, Israel seeks to punish Hamas without occupying GazaThe Israel-Hamas war that began Wednesday was on the brink of a major escalation, with Palestinian rockets nearing Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Can Israel achieve its objectives?
Where Syria's opposition groups get their rocketsWith few weapons flowing to the rebels fighting the Syrian regime, homemade rockets, mortars, and hand grenades have become increasingly used in the fight.
Key test for Egypt's Morsi as Gaza conflict intensifiesSince taking office in June, Egypt's Islamist President Morsi has upheld Egypt's peace treaty with Israel and strictly controlled border crossings. Could the Gaza conflict change his calculus?
- A khat-free wedding becomes big news in Yemen
Activists against khat are finding some traction as the Yemeni love of the narcotic chewing leaf could soon make Sanaa the first world capital to run out of water.
Living under rockets: How Israelis are copingA rocket from Gaza killed three Israeli civilians in the highest death toll from a rocket attack since Palestinian militants began firing homemade pipe bombs a decade ago.
The ExplainerWhat's the status of Egypt's Christians?The newly chosen Coptic pope finds his people in a perilous situation.
Israeli assassination in Gaza risks wider conflictIf the Palestinian group Hamas makes good on promises of revenge for the killing today of its top military chief, the situation could deteriorate.
FocusHow water could bring Israelis, Palestinians togetherA sole joint committee between Israelis and Palestinians survives 17 years after the Oslo Accords: the one on water.
The ExplainerIsrael pushes back on Palestinian bid for new UN statusThe Palestinians are seeking a global mandate for statehood at the United Nations. Israel warns the move would nullify the Oslo Accords.
- Palestinian Authority unable to pay salaries, even as it pursues statehood
The Palestinian drive for non-member state status at the UN could trigger Israeli economic retaliation that would end the viability of the Palestinian Authority.
Inside Syria, rebels offer cautious support for unified councilFighters on the front lines of the Syrian war expressed optimism about the new council formed out of Syrian opposition groups.
Israeli tanks hit inside Syria, but Israel not eager to enter conflictIsrael is likely to stick with its policy of just rooting for the downfall of President Bashar Assad while refraining from throwing its lot in with any of the opposition groups.
Iran confirms clash with US drone, claims it was in Iranian airspaceThe US says the drone was flying in international airspace; last year, a CIA stealth drone was brought down deep inside Iran. The aerial confrontation comes as more nuclear talks loom.
The ExplainerSudan's Bashir threatens Israel over alleged airstrikeSudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir vowed today to retaliate against Israel for a recent alleged airstrike. The Monitor explains the background of the dispute.
