All Middle East
Egypt's dire economy looms over electionsEgypt's foreign reserves have tumbled to $15 billion from $36 billion, jeopardizing the government's ability to meet the people's needs. The future is about a lot more than voting.
Tunisia debate turns personal: 'Pray more and turn down that Metallica'Tensions between Tunisia's secularists and newly empowered Islamists are playing between brothers and sisters, mothers and daughters, as the country drafts a new constitution.
As Syria cease-fire wavers, rebels head back to battle in battered sedan, pickupsA Western journalist who made a rare visit inside Syria confirmed a breach in the UN cease-fire yesterday, as rebels engaged a military convoy.
No explanation given: Palestinian PM skips Netanyahu meetingLooking ahead, Palestinian leaders face few appealing options for advancing their agenda, which has been sidelined by Iran and the US elections.
Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi speaks out against Iran sanctionsShirin Ebadi, the first Iranian to win a Nobel Peace Prize, also spoke with the Monitor about her fight for human rights in Iran and challenged the supreme leader's role.
Syrian activists to rebels: Give us our revolution backMany of the activists who began the uprising in Syria more than a year ago feel their peaceful push for change has been hijacked by the rebel Free Syrian Army. They're meeting in Cairo today.
- Israel dismisses 'flytilla' protest, pointing to human rights abuses in Syria, Iran
Israel denied entry and deported several dozen pro-Palestinian activists who flew into Tel Aviv's airport on Sunday, arguing they are missing the bigger regional issues.
Iran nuclear talks: Why all sides kept positiveThe talks Saturday between Iran and six major powers featured the most positive atmosphere in nearly a decade.
A Brotherhood show of force, as Egypt turns to presidential electionThe Muslim Brotherhood led tens of thousands of protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square today, sending a message to Egypt's military rulers.
Iran nuclear talks: Why there's hope for progress this timeA big question is whether the West will pressure Tehran to stop enrichment all together, or just prove that the Iran nuclear program is purely peaceful.
Iran nuclear talks: Why the trust gap is so greatPart of the reason for Iran's distrust lies in the CIA's infiltration of a UN weapons inspection team in Iraq in the 1990s.
With West focused on Iran, Netanyahu moves to expand Israeli settlementsLast week, the prime minister allowed police to evict settlers from an Arab house in Hebron. But he also asked his government to authorize three illegal outposts in the West Bank.
Egyptian court ruling raises stakes in presidential raceThe court suspended the assembly chosen to write Egypt's new constitution, delaying the process until after elections. That means the new president will initially have near-dictatorial powers.
Syria crisis enters 'new phase' after Assad ignores UN deadlineTurkey is likely to stir international leaders to stronger action after two Turkish officials were injured by cross-border gunfire. Envoy Kofi Annan said it was too early to say the UN cease-fire had failed.
Pressure mounts on Bahrain as hunger striker reaches 62nd dayBahrain has been trumpeting its return to normalcy ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix that begins April 20. But now there is increasing pressure to cancel the car race.
Attack in Yemen: Is Al Qaeda stronger now?Yemenis are hopeful that Yemen's new president will be more effective at reining in Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula than his predecessor.
Amid widening Syria violence, a new war-crimes chargeSyrian refugees say Assad's soldiers are forcing women and children to march in front of advancing tanks to prevent rebels from opening fire. International law forbids the use of human shields.
- A northern Iraqi Easter
Fears for the future remain within Iraq's devastated Christian community, but there were glimmers of hope this Easter.
Omar Suleiman, Mubarak's no. 2, enters Egypt's presidential raceMany Egyptians loathe Omar Suleiman, a former intelligence chief whom rights advocates blame for decades of abuse and torture. But others see him as a man who can restore stability in Egypt.
Israel's Iranian Jews grapple with possible strike on their homelandWhile he fears an Iranian bomb, a spice seller from Tehran vows that Iranians love peace. One restaurant cook from Isfahan is baffled by 'how things went so wrong.'
