All Middle East
- To fight domestic violence among Syrian refugees, an outreach to men
Domestic violence is reported to have risen sharply among Syrians forced to flee their homeland. While many aid programs target women, some groups in Lebanon are putting new focus on men, hoping to address the problem at the source.
- First LookAs anti-ISIS campaign grinds on, Mosul's businesses start rebuilding
Local business owners roll up their sleeves and start the hard work of bringing life back to the city.
- Hezbollah's defiant signal to Israel, Lebanon, and the UN
On a press tour of Lebanon's sensitive southern border, the Iran-backed militia Hezbollah performs a seemingly choreographed breach of the UN resolution that helped end its last war with Israel.
- For Turkey's Erdoğan, new powers present fresh challenges
The aftermath of Erdoğan's narrow referendum victory – marked by protests, arrests, and divisive rhetoric – is revealing the magnitude of his coming challenges, not least of which is unifying the Turkish people.
- First LookIraq's Kurds restore ancient sites, envision a tourist-friendly future
While Islamic State sends out suicide bombers and snipers in Mosul to the east, the Kurdish authorities in Erbil are already looking ahead to the day when they can pull in more visitors.
- First LookAhmadinejad disqualified from Iranian presidential election
The Guardian Council approved six candidates for next month's election, including incumbent president Hassan Rouhani, but not the controversial former president who held office from 2005 to 2013.
- First LookWith nuclear deal holding, Iran and China sign reactor redesign contract
The fate of the Arak reactor was one of the toughest sticking points in the long nuclear negotiations that led to the 2015 agreement.
- First LookTurkey referendum vote skewed, says European Commission
The Commission has received news of Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan's victory with skepticism, calling on an investigation into the voting process.
- In Oman, a train-of-succession mystery: Who follows Qaboos?
The childless Sultan Qaboos, who used oil wealth to build the strategically placed nation into an important Gulf Arab player, has put in place a secretive succession process in an attempt to ensure stability, if only for the short term.
- First LookIraqi Christians return to territory liberated from ISIS with hope, trepidation
Christian families have begun to return to the city of Qaraqosh, which once held Iraq's largest Christian population until the city was captured in 2014.
- First LookISIS fighters, but no civilians, killed in Afghanistan bombing
The US dropped its largest non-nuclear bomb in Afghanistan Thursday, killing 36 Islamic State group fighters.
- First LookOnce part of the opposition, more Syrian towns agree to government control
Nearly 8,000 Syrians were evacuated from towns near Damascus and in northern rebel-besieged towns on Friday.
- Is Turkey ready for an all-powerful president? Erdoğan tries again.
Apparently fearful that polls showing a 50-50 split in the electorate are masking unfavorable sentiment, President Erdoğan and his AKP party are casting the Turks' choice in apocalyptic terms, with his opponents on the side of evil.
- Copts attacked: Can Egypt resist ISIS incitement of sectarian strife?
The ISIS bombing attacks against Coptic churches is testing a fault line in Egyptian society. The Christian minority has faced Muslim mob violence before, but not a full-scale sectarian campaign.
- First LookIn a surprise move, Ahmadinejad says he’s running for president again in Iran
The decision comes against recommendations from the nation's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
- First LookISIS weakens: most of the territory it took over in Iraq has been secured by Iraqi forces
The Islamic State once controlled 40 percent of the country, but that percentage has whittled to about 7 percent after extensive military operations.
- US strike sends message to Syria: what it didn't say
The Tomahawk cruise missiles fired at a Syrian air base were a clear message to Assad from President Trump that the use of chemical weapons would not be tolerated. They did not signal support for regime change.
- First LookIn wake of Syria airstrike, approval and criticism from US allies, rivals
The United States' traditional allies, along with supporters of the Syrian opposition, welcomed the surprise airstrike on Syrian military facilities, while Russia and Iran condemned it.
- First Look'Heinous' chemical attack kills dozens in Syria, US blames Assad, as aid workers scramble to help
Tuesday's attack is being described as the worst chemical attack since a 2013 chemical assault left hundreds dead.
- Lebanon’s dual approach to Syrian refugees: the personal and political
Even as Prime Minister Hariri canvasses Europe for investment to rescue Lebanon's overburdened infrastructure, grass-roots efforts work to improve the quality of individual lives.