Middle East

Turkish court orders Facebook to block pages insulting Mohammad

Earlier this month, prosecutors launched an inquiry into a newspaper which reprinted parts of the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo

By REUTERS

'Israel warns Hezbollah: Don't dare attack our targets abroad'

The Arab-language newspaper 'Al-Hayat' quoted Western diplomats as saying that officials in Jerusalem sought to convey the message through indirect channels.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

Assad: Israeli strikes in Syria benefit al-Qaida

In interview with American magazine, Syrian president says "it is very clear" that Israel carries out attacks in Syria in order to back rebel forces.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

15 protesters killed on anniversary of Egyptian uprising against Mubarak

Security forces have been stamping out dissent in Egypt since then-army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ousted elected president Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood in July 2013.

By REUTERS

Zarif and Kerry get a little too friendly for Iranian regime

Top diplomats from old adversaries strolling together in a foreign land provoked an outcry among Iranian hard-liners deeply wary of rapprochement with the "Great Satan".

By REUTERS

Rivlin praises Abdullah for bringing stability to region

Jerusalem discusses sending condolence letter to Riyadh.

Ex-Obama aide takes president to task for 'not being tough enough' with Iran

Writing for the online Politico newsmagazine, Ross argues that American allies in the region are growing more apprehensive over what they see as growing Iranian influence in the region.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

Obama, world leaders head to Saudi Arabia to offer condolences following king's death

Muslim leaders paid their respects on Friday at Abdullah's funeral in Riyadh.

By REUTERS

Analysis: Secret Israeli-Saudi ties likely to continue despite Abdullah's death

“The changes that the Middle East has experienced in recent years have created a set of joint interests between the two countries,” said Dr. Michal Yaari, an expert on Saudi foreign policy.

How politics explains the baffling Iranian response to Paris attack

Many Westerners had expected an altogether different reaction to the killings two weeks ago at the Paris weekly that had published satirical cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad.

By REUTERS

Miss Lebanon will keep her title despite appearing in image with "enemy" Miss Israel.

Lebanon's Tourism Minister believes Miss Lebanon has been subject to a racist campaign.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

German firms helped Assad family build Syrian chemical weapons program, bombshell report alleges

Der Spiegel says the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel tried to keep secret any information that links German firms to Syria’s arsenal of chemical arms.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

Past and present Israeli presidents eulogize Saudi King Abdullah

Eulogies for King Abdullah ibn Abdilazīz praise him for contributing to Middle East stability and the peace process.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

As ISIS ransom deadline passes, Japanese captive's mother continues to beg for his release

"If I could offer my life I would plead that my son be released, it would be a small sacrifice on my part," says the mother of Islamic State captive Kenji Goto

By REUTERS

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia is dead

The new king is Crown Prince Salman, 78, state media announced.

Report: Israel knew about presence of Iranian general in Syria strike

Senior security source previously said Iranian general was not the intended target of air strike as it believed that only low-ranking guerrillas were targeted.

Israeli strike in Syria: A move in an unfinished game

The strike against Hezbollah on the Syrian Golan was a warning to the Iranian proxy not to prepare another front against Israel.

Germany, France, UK tell Congress to hold back on Iran legislation

In 'Washington Post' op-ed, group of world leaders say a new bill would give Iranian opponents of a comprehensive nuclear accord "new arguments" for subterfuge.

Iran escalates threats, vows to shower Israel with 'Shahab' missiles

Brigadier General Hossein Salami, the second-in-command in the Revolutionary Guards, told Iranian state media on Thursday that his troops are capable of firing Shahab-3 missiles on Israel.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

Iranian vice president under Ahmadinejad jailed for five years

Mohammad Reza Rahimi, who was appointed in 2009 after Ahmadinejad's re-election, was indicted in March in connection with a billion-dollar money laundering and embezzlement scheme.

By REUTERS

Analysis: Yemen falls into Iran’s orbit as region caught asleep at the wheel

If the Houthis are able to solidify control over the southernmost country on the Arabian Peninsula, it could create a risk for Israel and other countries’ sea traffic.

Watch: War on Iran a last resort, Obama tells Congress, warning of diplomatic failure

President outlines "persistent" and "steady" foreign policy in State of the Union address.

UNRWA: 'By month’s end we’ll be out of funds to repair Gaza homes'

“The war left more than 100,000 Palestinians homeless, over half of whom are children,” said UNRWA.

WATCH: Jon Stewart mocks 'photo-bombing' controversy between Miss Israel and Miss Lebanon

In a segment titled 'War of the Poses' Stewart mocks the idea that Lebanese media was angry with their contestant for posing with Miss Israel.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

Hamas Interior Ministry official targeted in Gaza car-bombing

The explosion came hours after Hamas security forces arrested seven supporters of the Islamic State terror group during a protest in Gaza City against the Charlie Hebdo cartoons.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard chief: Israel should expect destructive thunderbolts

"The Revolutionary Guard is committed to the annihilation of the Zionist regime," Iranian media quoted the general as saying.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

Turkish Police carry out raids against Erdogan foes amid claims of wiretapping

Turkey's Western allies have reacted with alarm to what they see as signs of erosion of the rule of law.

By REUTERS

Watch: Islamic State issues video purporting to show two Japanese hostages

Armed group demands $200 million from the Japanese government to save hostages' lives.

By REUTERS

Analysis: Argentinian whistleblower's death leaves more questions than answers

Two days before his death Nisman told his confidants he feared for his life.

State of disarray: Middle East policy in Obama's sixth State of the Union

Obama is expected to encourage unity against violent extremism sprouting from Syria and Iraq, warn against new Iran sanctions bill, and briefly mention Israel.