All Middle East
Taboo-breaking election is test of how much dissent Iran can handleLocked in a tight race, incumbent President Rouhani invokes his challenger's role in political executions. The supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, has called for high voter turnout Friday, but that carries risks.
More than they bargained for? Israeli leaders gird for Trump visit.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signaled that Trump is someone he can work with. But the president's unpredictability and recent enthusiasm for the Mideast peace process could put Israel's right-wing coalition in a tough spot.
In Iran election, lackluster economy opens door to a populist pushThe presidential election, which has become a referendum on moderate President Hassan Rouhani's first term, has seen his conservative challengers cast themselves as champions of the working class.
On Jordan's East Bank, Palestinians grasp at old idea for statehoodPalestinian-Jordanian confederation has long been a non-starter, not least because Israeli rightists espoused the idea that 'Jordan is Palestine.' But a lack of faith in the peace process and their leadership has spurred many on the East Bank to revive the idea.
How strong is the US-Kurdish alliance this time?From the Kurds' perspective, many chapters in their history of military cooperation with the US have ended in disappointment. In Syria, the Kurdish YPG is the key US ally in the fight against ISIS, and they have expectations.
First LookIraqi prime minister: after Islamic State is defeated, US combat troops will leaveAccording to the prime minister, any troops that stay on in the country will be advisers for training purposes only, though details have not been finalized.
Moqtada al-Sadr: In Iraq, a fiery cleric redefines himself as nationalist patriotThe Shiite cleric is poised to consolidate his position not only as an influential political kingmaker but as someone who can mobilize potentially millions of followers.
A US president hosts a Palestinian leader. Has anything changed? Maybe.Expectations are low for Trump's meeting with Mahmoud Abbas. Yet there is pressure on the Palestinian leader to offer something to help break the Middle East logjam. One reason: Gulf Arab states want to keep the dealmaker-in-chief interested in the region.
First LookHamas will remove a call for the destruction of IsraelIn a policy document, the ruling party of Gaza will also drop its association with the Muslim Brotherhood in an effort to improve relations with Gulf Arab states and Egypt.
First LookIslamic State fighters pushed out of old portion of strategically important TabqaUS-backed forces have retaken about 60 percent of the town, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Israel strikes Hezbollah-run arms supply hub to destroy weapons from IranThe strike took place near Damascus airport on Thursday, even though Israel has largely kept out of the conflict in Syria.
First LookPalestinian Authority pulls the plug on Israeli electricity to GazaThe Palestinian Authority and Hamas, who controls the enclave, are in a bitter power struggle, as the Trump administration is expected to be more sympathetic to Israel.
To fight domestic violence among Syrian refugees, an outreach to menDomestic 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 rebuildingLocal 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 UNOn 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 challengesThe 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 futureWhile 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 electionThe 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 contractThe 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 CommissionThe Commission has received news of Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan's victory with skepticism, calling on an investigation into the voting process.
