All Middle East
- The ExplainerIran-Saudi feud: Does it imperil Syria peace talks?
Iran and Saudi Arabia were already in opposing camps regarding a solution to Syria's civil war. A UN envoy is trying to keep the process on track.
- Iran hard-liners see Saudi Embassy attack as a win-win. Are they wrong?
By attacking the embassy, hard-liners were poking the Saudis and Iran's moderate President Rouhani. But some see the move as counterproductive.
- Why Shiites are angry at Saudi Arabia for execution of preacher
Saudi Arabia executed 47 people, including cleric Nimr al-Nimr, whom was accused of inciting violence. Nimr's supporters say he is a peaceful dissident who called for greater rights for the Saudi kingdom's Shiite minority.
- Turkey arrests two men allegedly planning New Year's terror attack
The private NTV news channel, quoting security sources, said the men detained in Ankara on Wednesday had 'frequently' moved in and out of Syria, but that security officials had been monitoring their movements for the past month.
- Israeli group helps blockaded Gazans negotiate path to outside world
Officially, the Gaza Strip's 1.8 million residents cannot exit the territory through Israel. Shadi Bathish, an Israeli Arab paralegal, works with residents to obtain rare exit permits.
- Ehud Olmert: First Israeli leader to go to prison
A five-judge panel dismissed the most serious bribery charge against former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, and reduced his original prison sentence from six years down to 18 months.
- For Syrian activists in Turkey, a chilling message from ISIS
Naji Jerf, who was assassinated Sunday, would be the third journalist to have been targeted by Islamic State on Turkish soil. The murders could impact efforts to get word out about IS abuses.
- Iraqi forces continue to push ISIS from Ramadi, while some pockets remain
The heavy fighting and limited access to front-lines made it difficult to follow the troops' progress.
- Islamic State puts up heavy fight against Iraqi troop advance on Ramadi
Ramadi city was captured by IS in May. After the Iraqi Army made an initial push across the Euphrates River to reclaim it, its progress has stalled.
- Syrian army kills 17 Islamic militants in country's south
The explosion was the latest blow to the rebels after the assassination of Zahran Allouch, a powerful rebel leader, on the outskirts of Damascus.
- Saudi Arabia hospital fire kills 31, injures over 100
The blaze broke out in the early hours of Thursday around the Saudi hospital's intensive care, maternity, and neonatal care wards. All babies in incubators were rescued, the health ministry said.
- Just don't call it Christmas: In Israel, Russian holiday coming out of closet
Novy God, a Soviet-created secular holiday that borrowed from Christmas and New Year's, was embraced by Russian Jews and is gaining acceptance in Israel.
- Christians celebrate Christmas Eve in Bethlehem amid violence
Christians from around the world descended Thursday on the biblical city of Bethlehem for Christmas Eve celebrations, as clashes between Israeli and Palestinians dampened the typically festive mood.
- Christmas in Lebanon: Palestinian refugees extend hand to Syrians
On the Saturday before Christmas, Palestinian Christians hosted a celebration at their small refugee camp in Lebanon. 'We know what the Syrians are going through.'
- Turkey set to restore diplomatic ties with Israel. Why now?
A fallout with Russia that threatens Turkey's gas imports is a prime reason to restore ties with Israel, but the Gaza blockade remains a sticking point.
- US airstrike on Iraqi soldiers a 'mistake,' says Ash Carter
A US airstrike Friday may have killed 10 Iraqi soldiers battling ISIS near Fallujah. U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Saturday it was a "regrettable" mistake.
- The ExplainerIran nuclear deal: Implementation nears, but the sparring continues
Iran is moving faster than expected, the US says, raising the possibility of sanctions relief in January. But hard-line rhetoric persists on both sides.
- Coffee, tea, and diplomacy: Palestinian parlor meetings target Israeli public
Amid official pessimism on both sides, a Palestinian initiative seeks to change Israeli hearts and minds by meeting face to face.
- Saudi bid to lead anti-terror campaign raises questions of intent
Saudi Arabia, which is heading a Muslim anti-terror coalition, has long pursued policies that critics say have spread extremism across the Muslim world.
- The ExplainerNew Libya peace deal: What could go wrong? Plenty.
A UN-brokered deal to create a national unity government in Libya is to be signed Thursday in Morocco. But who signs and who doesn't is just one of the challenges.