All Middle East
- 'Insulting religion': Blasphemy sentence in Egypt sends a chill
Blasphemy cases are on the rise in Egypt. Passage of the draft constitution, with a clause prohibiting insulting prophets, could result in more decisions like today's sentence.
- Family of journalist Austin Tice struggles with silence on kidnapping
Austin Tice was kidnapped near Damascus in August. His family went to Beirut recently in hopes of extending their reach into Syria and finding out more about who might be holding him.
- Vote no or boycott? Egypt opposition undecided as referendum looms
Anger over a draft constitution popular with Islamists has galvanized Egypt's opposition. But secular opponents of President Morsi still haven't decided what to do about Saturday's referendum.
- As Syria's rebels close in, Assad has three options
The most likely is a retreat into the mountains controlled by his minority Alawite community.
- Egypt's Morsi backs off decree, but fails to assuage protesters
President Mohamed Morsi held firm in rejecting what had been a key demand of the opposition: delaying a referendum scheduled for Saturday on a new constitution.
- As Egypt's Morsi remains defiant, a former top Brother speaks out
A former senior leader of the Muslim Brotherhood outlined his disappointment in President Mohamed Morsi today, who is rushing through a new Egyptian constitution.
- Egypt's anti-Morsi protests spread beyond Cairo
Egypt's angry political divide is evident well outside Cairo, with protests erupting against President Mohamed Morsi in Alexandria, along the Suez Canal, and in the Nile Delta.
- Syrian refugees decamp for tough life in Jordan's cities
Refugees in Jordan's cities outnumber those in the Za'atari refugee camp at least 3-to-1. And while camp life is hard, urban refugees have problems of their own.
- A wary Iraq weighs its options as Syrian civil war deepens
Fears in Iraq of a spillover of Syria's fighting, or a victory for Sunni Islamists hostile to the Shiite-led government in Baghdad, have Iraq weighing its options.
- In Cairo, shooting, anger, and bracing for more confrontation
In Cairo, those protesting against President Mohamed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood were faced down by his loyalists. A view from the ground.
- Syria: first state with WMDs to topple?
Never before has a country with Weapons of Mass Destruction been on the verge of collapse, says an arms control expert who argues for regional coordination to prevent a catastrophe.
- Can lessons from Iraq be applied to US-Iran tensions?
A declassified CIA report on Iraq says numerous intelligence lessons have been learned from the search for WMD. But the political dynamic around Iran's nuclear program is a different matter.
- Egypt freedoms in balance during constitutional showdown
Egyptian protesters swamped the presidential palace in Cairo today, angry at a draft constitution favored by President Morsi that many fear will limit freedoms.
- Syrian rebels riding momentum to Damascus
The fighting follows a number of gains for opposition forces in the north of Syria, which has sparked optimism among Syrians hoping for the downfall of the Assad regime.
- Israel faces lowest point in Europe relations in decades
Despite Europe's status as Israel’s largest trading partner – or perhaps because of it – Israel is largely unconcerned about permanent damage from the diplomatic flap over Israel's move to expand settlements.
- Cover StoryInside the mind of Iran's Khamenei
Why Iran's iron ayatollah distrusts the US and what that means for nuclear talks and the possibility of war with the West.
- FocusAnalysis: For Hamas, a validation
Armed resistance to Israel wins Hamas friends in the streets and among Arab neighbors.
- FocusAnalysis: Positions remain entrenched after Gaza conflict
Neither Israel nor Hamas has budged on long-held principles that make coexistence difficult and the prospects for lasting peace remote.
- Egypt's constitution hangs in balance as judges face off against Morsi
President Mohamed Morsi says he wants to put Egypt's new draft constitution to a referendum on Dec. 15, but the plan could be upended by the nation's judiciary.
- Rebel gains in Syria embolden Lebanese Sunnis
Sunnis in Lebanon are growing more outspoken about the most powerful faction in their country, the Shiite movement Hezbollah.