All Middle East
- For Yazidis traumatized by Islamic State horrors, few mental health resources
Yazidi women and families who survived Islamic State atrocities nevertheless carry a heavy emotional burden. But little psychological counseling is available to them.
- After weeks of unrest, Palestinian leader calls for calm
Both Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are dealing with precarious domestic situations as they try to find a way out of the crisis.
- Egypt hails campaign against Islamic State affiliate. Could it backfire?
With the jihadists trying to extend their reach into Cairo, Egypt has been hitting hard at their base in the Sinai. But experts warn against alienating the area's Bedouin.
- Spike in Israeli-Palestinian violence. Is it a new uprising?
Attacks and clashes in recent days have claimed the lives of four Israelis and three Palestinians. Leaders on both sides are under pressure to appear tough, but there is also a record of security cooperation.
- Russian fighter jets violate Turkish airspace - twice
Turkish military said a MiG-29 fighter jet had harassed two of its F-16s by locking its radar on to them on Sunday. A US official called the incident a violation of a NATO member's sovereignty.
- Russia may pay 'volunteers' $50 per day to fight in Syria against ISIS
The Kremlin says that Russia has no current plans to deploy ground troops to Syria. But Russian mercenaries, such as those who fought in Ukraine, may be another matter.
- FocusIs Syria's long war wearing down key Assad backer Hezbollah?
Under Sheikh Nasrallah, Hezbollah rode to the defense of its ally Syria. But the Shiite group that was founded to confront Israel is paying a high price in lives and prestige.
- Russia launches another airstrike wave on ISIS, other insurgents in Syria
Russia has attacked the Islamic State group and other insurgents in Syria with a wave of new airstrikes. Russia's air raids have killed 39 civilians over the three past days.
- Explosion near Afghan hospital kills nine charity workers
Nine local staffers for international charity Doctors Without Borders were killed Saturday, after a US airstrike may have caused the deadly explosion near their hospital.
- Military training offers Yazidi women chance to fight back, taste of freedom
The massacre of Iraq's Yazidis and enslavement of their women by Islamic State militants in summer 2014 put the minority sect on the world's agenda. Now Yazidi women are being trained by paramilitaries to fight for themselves.
- Israeli PM Netanyahu blasts Iran deal in UN speech
Benjamin Netanyahu said the Iran nuclear deal may well 'prove to be the marriage certificate of that unholy union' between militant Islam and nuclear weapons.
- Iran sends troops into Syria as Russia targets rebels with airstrikes
The Iranian troops are preparing for combat, while Russian planes bombed camps in western Syria.
- The end of Oslo? Why Abbas dropped his promised 'bombshell' at the UN.
The Palestinian president's statement on the peace accords speaks as much to the eroding public support for him at home as it does a desire to pressure Israel.
- Iran is open for business, but sanctions and political risk remain
A nuclear agreement agreed in July has triggered interest from European countries who expect their sanctions to be lifted next year. But the US will maintain non-nuclear sanctions that could stifle investment.
- In Yemen, Islamic State is struggling to claim mantle of Sunnis' champion
Recent attacks on Shiite Houthi targets in Yemen indicate that the Islamic State is trying to position itself as the Sunnis' protector. But it faces a crowded field.
- Refugees at Syrian border say the loss of hope will push out millions more
Syrians who toughed it out for years amid the violence or waited in neighboring Turkey say they no longer see a future for the country. And Europe beckons.
- Why Iran wants to take Saudi Arabia to court over hajj deaths
Shiite Iran on Saturday vowed to take international legal action against Sunni Saudi Arabia after at least 769 people, including 136 Iranians, died during a hajj stampede.
- Syrian cease-fire: Another try at pragmatism in three besieged towns
Previous cease-fires failed to hold in the towns, where Sunnis and Shiite residents are besieged. But a realization that both sides benefit is generating hope this one, to be overseen by the UN, will succeed.
- Diplomats jostle to lay out position on how to end Syria war
Diplomats from Europe, the US, and Russia met in Paris on Thursday to lay the groundwork for more in-depth talks at the UN General Assembly, which begins Monday.
- First LookHajj stampede: 700 crushed in deadliest pilgrimage incident in decades
An additional 800 people were injured during the stampede Thursday as Muslim pilgrims converged in Saudi Arabia's Mina valley.