All Middle East
- China, Egypt sign $17 billion in investment deals as Xi tours Mideast
Analysts say President Xi Jinping’s regional tour, his first to the Middle East as president, is key to fulfilling China’s global economic and political ambitions.
- Turkey in conflict: How Kurds' gains in Syria have pushed both sides to dig in
Seven months after the collapse of the Turkish-PKK peace process, the fighting is relentless and both sides are convinced now is the time to press their advantage.
- ISIS confirms death of 'Jihadi John' in magazine
The Islamic State on Tuesday acknowledged the death of the militant known as 'Jihadi John' – identified by the US military as Kuwaiti-born British citizen Mohammed Emwazi – in its English-language magazine Dabiq.
- Kurdish entrepreneurs pay price of Turkey's renewed war with PKK
Trenches and barricades now mar a historic district in southeast Turkey where the attitudes of Kurdish business owners who once hoped for a peace dividend are hardening.
- Three Americans missing in Iraq: Abducted from Baghdad brothel?
Three Americans were kidnapped from their interpreter's home in the southern Baghdad neighborhood of Dora. The Washington Post reports that the building was a known brothel.
- Plane carrying freed Americans has left Iran
Meanwhile, Iran celebrated the lifting of economic sanctions after the UN atomic agency certified that the country has met its nuclear commitments.
- Iran frees 5 Americans, including reporter, as nuclear deal is affirmed
Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian was held for 543 days on security charges his family and employer dismissed as absurd.
- 'Implementation day' for Iran nuclear deal: what it means
The IAEA, the UN's nuclear watchdog agency, has determined that Iran has fulfilled the necessary obligations to achieve a broad relaxation of nuclear-related sanctions.
- Qatari housing project in Gaza concludes first stage
More than 1,000 Palestinian families will move into the new apartments. Gaza needs an estimated 130,000 housing units.
- Iran releases five American prisoners, including journalist Jason Rezaian
Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, former US Marine Amir Hekmati of Flint, Mich., Pastor Saeed Abedini of Boise, Idaho, Siamak Namazi, and Matthew Trevithick were released from Iranian custody Saturday.
- US sailors freed: With nuclear deal close, Iran skirts boat-loads of trouble
Iran brings a speedy end to a potentially thorny incident by releasing 10 US sailors detained Tuesday. 'The regime is in a pragmatic mood,' says an analyst.
- US sailors freed by Iranians. No US apology issued, says Joe Biden
All 10 US Navy sailors detained by Iran after drifting into its territorial waters have been released, the US and Iran said Wednesday.
- Istanbul bombing was no surprise, Turks agree, but they differ on why
Most of those killed Tuesday by a Saudi-born suicide bomber were German tourists. Was Turkey targeted because of its role battling terrorism or its policy on Syria?
- Saudi Embassy attack: Is vigilantes' excess empowering Rouhani?
Iran's president has reacted swiftly to the Jan. 2 firebombing of the Saudi embassy in Tehran by hard-liners, prompting a new debate over the wisdom of Iran's vigilante culture.
- ISIS claims responsibility for deadly Baghdad mall attack
At least 18 people were killed Monday when Islamic State militants detonated a car bomb, followed by an assault by gunmen. Another 29 people were killed in two other attacks in Iraq.
- Islamic State targeting Libyan oil to make trouble, not a profit
A string of IS attacks on oil installations are designed to harm Libya and Europe economically rather than replace lost revenues in the group's Syrian and Iraqi strongholds, experts say.
- 'Projectile' strikes Médecins Sans Frontières clinic in Yemen, killing four
Médecins Sans Frontières says a projectile struck one of its clinics in north Yemen Sunday, the third severe incident against the international medical group in the last three months.
- Air strike kills at least 39 in Syria as UN envoy visits Damascus
An air strike reportedly killed dozens of residents in a rebel-held town in Syria. Meanwhile, a UN envoy visited Damascus to advance preparations for peace talks planned this month.
- Egypt's Tourism Minister promises greater security measures after tourist attack
Egypt's government will announce additional security measures to protect tourists after an attack in a Red Sea resort left three injured.
- Starvation in Madaya: How Hezbollah role in siege could hurt it in Lebanon
While Syria is allowing some food aid to be delivered, the horrific images of starvation in Madaya are causing an anti-Hezbollah backlash in neighboring Lebanon.