Middle East

Abbas to meet Erdogan in Ankara Tuesday

Erdogan will a "be a positive factor in ending the division," said a senior Fatah official of recent tension between Hamas and Fatah.

ISIS has a new target: Lebanese porn star Mia Khalifa

ISIS members have posted photoshopped images of Khalifa bloodied and beheaded.

From East to West: the Islamic State's evolving global threat

The Islamic State may be losing territory but its ideology is growing globally.

Analysis: Can Saudi Arabia reduce Iranian influence in Iraq?

Riyadh is trying to bring part of Iraq back into its fold, which might lead to a Saudi-Iranian thaw in relations.

And the winner in Syria is... Iran

The region is more combustible given Israel’s concerns about steps taken by its US and Russian allies.

As Syria war tightens, US and Russia ramp up communication

There are about 10 to 12 calls a day on the telephone hotline linking the United States and Russia, US officials told Reuters.

How serious are Iranian nuclear threats?

The country has said it would be able to start enriching uranium within five days of a dissolution of the landmark nuclear deal.

Israel watches tag-team operation against ISIS nervously

All the regional forces engaging in the fight against ISIS are Israel's enemies, but so is ISIS - what is the Jewish state to do?

Amnesty slams PA, Hamas for clampdown on freedom of expression

The deputy regional director called the moves a "chilling setback for freedom of expression."

Hamas leader: Rafah crossing to be opened intermittently

Egyptian intelligence is reportedly making the opening of the crossing conditional on security in the Sinai peninsula.

‘A weapon against its neighbors’: former Al Jazeera bureau chief speaks out against network

A former Al Jazeera English bureau chief in Cairo, who was imprisoned in Egypt, says governments like Israel rightfully take a tough stance against Qatari network due to its unethical methods.

Two killed in mounting clashes in refugee camp in Lebanon

Two other Fatah members and two Islamist fighters had already been killed and a total of 15 combatants and civilians have been wounded, a security source said.

Saudi crown prince discusses Israeli-Palestinian peace with US officials

The two sides talked about seeking ways to reach "a real and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians."

Iran could make weapons-grade uranium within 5 days, nuclear chief claims

Iran has the facilities to begin enriching uranium almost immediately if the nuclear deal with world powers is cancelled.

Egypt cancels Kushner meeting with minister after denial of aid

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi would meet the US delegation led by Kushner later in the day, Sisi's office said.

US asks if Iran military sites to be checked under nuclear deal

Under US law, the State Department must notify Congress every 90 days of Iran's compliance with the nuclear deal.

Kurds vow to move on independence referendum despite pressures to delay

Kurdistan set its referendum date two months ago and there is now only a month to go until ballots are supposed to be cast.

19 Israelis to have citizenship revoked for fighting with ISIS

Some 60 Israeli citizens have traveled to Syria or neighboring Iraq to fight with rebel groups including the Islamic State.

Tunisian president ‘boldly’ takes on Islam to advance women’s rights

Tunisia’s post-independence personal status law gave women access to higher education, job opportunities and the right to divorce.

Jordan opens first job center in Syrian refugee camp

Earlier this month Jordan became the first Arab country to issue Syrian refugees with a new type of work permit that opens up the growing construction sector.

North Korea shipments to Syria chemical arms agency intercepted

A panel of independent UN experts reported that two shipments were intercepted in the past six months.

Hezbollah uses drones against IS in Syria

Hezbollah has helped Syria in the fight against ISIS and other militants.

Fisherman nets message in a bottle in Gaza

The bottle made the long journey from Rhodes to the shores of Gaza.

Qatar to build World Cup stadium shaped like Arabian skull cap

"This symbolic design embodies everything that unites us as Arabs and Muslims, and is a fitting tribute to the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East."

Syria's Assad says war still not won but West's plots foiled

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said that: ”the signs of victory are there. But signs are something and winning is something else.”

Iraq's Kurds could delay independence vote for concessions from Baghdad

A Kurdish delegation is visiting Baghdad to sound out proposals from Iraqi leaders.

One dead in clashes with Islamists in Palestinian camp in Lebanon

Clashes broke out between Fatah fighters and factions sympathetic to the Islamist Badr group.

PA, Egyptian and Jordanian FMs meet in Cairo ahead of US Mideast visit

The White House delegation is slated to arrive in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar in the coming days.

Hezbollah condemns Barcelona attack, saying it 'harms the image of jihad'

The Lebanese terrorist organization called out the Syrian-based terror group.

PA Foreign Minister welcomes Egypt's warmer ties with Hamas

Egypt has served as a mediator between Hamas and the PA.