Middle East

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.

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.

Syria, Hezbollah, Lebanon launch two-pronged offensive against ISIS

This offensive further deepens the relationship between President Bashar Assad’s regime, Hezbollah and the Lebanese Army.

What the Syrian regime's assault on ISIS means for the region

As the Syrian regime attacks ISIS near Damascus and US-led coalition forces close in on Raqqa, the region's power dynamics are changing.

Lebanese army, Hezbollah launch operations against Islamic State

The Lebanese security source said the two offensives were not coordinated.

Syrian army, Hezbollah attack Islamic State near Lebanon border

The US gives military assistance to the Lebanese army which could be in danger if join operations with an Iran-backed group are seen.

Syrian army encircles Islamic State in central Syria advance

Islamic State has been losing ground in Syria.

Pakistan's Malala "excited" after winning place at Oxford University

Malala is the youngest ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, which she won at age 17.

Suicide bombing near Rafah border crossing leaves Hamas member dead

The explosion killed one Hamas member and left a number of Hamas operatives wounded.

Can ISIS ever be taken at its word?

Ne study examines jihadist groups claims of responsibility for a string of attacks to distinguish between truth and propaganda.

Iran's military chief in rare visit to Turkey for Syria talks

As Turkey's ties with Washington have been strained by US support for Kurdish fighters in Syria, this is the latest sign that Ankara is warming to other powers.

Abbas congratulates North Korea’s Kim Jong-un on national holiday

In a telegram, the PA president noted that the Korean people made “the greatest sacrifices for the sake of its freedom and dignity.”

Yemen’s humanitarian disaster accelerates amid international indifference

“Saudi policies have certainly contributed to the near famine conditions in Yemen.”

Jordan holds local elections in step to devolve powers

"Elections are a chance for change and shaping the future in democratic countries but, in the presence of authoritarianism, elections just reproduce past woes and existing suffering."

Iran could quit nuclear deal in "hours" if new US sanctions imposed-Rouhani

"Iran cannot be allowed to use the nuclear deal to hold the world hostage."

Taliban urge Trump to withdraw all US troops from Afghanistan

The Taliban criticized the Afghan gov. as "stooges," "lying corrupt leaders" and "repulsive sellouts" who are providing the US with overly optimistic "rosy pictures" of the situation in Afghanistan.

Report: Iran and Russia violated UN weapons sanctions

German media and state intelligence agencies revealed how Russia and Iran bypassed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear accord.

As body count climbs, Iran moves towards softening drug laws

Around 5,000 people are on death row for drug related offenses in Iran.

Saudi Arabia and Iraq to re-open border crossing after 27 years

Since 2015, Iraq and Saudi Arabia have been improving their relations.

Iraq is preparing to take Tal Afar, here’s why it matters

Turkish media accuses the US of siding with the “Iran-backed Tal Afar offensive.”

Iran may quit nuke deal if US imposes sanctions, Iran's president warns

Hamdallah makes appeal in rare meeting with Hamas lawmakers

Hamdallah’s appeal to Hamas, which controls Gaza, comes as Hamas and the Fatah-dominated PA are at loggerheads.

German court issues bizarre ruling in ISIS defrauding case

The court strangely granted legal protection to the terrorist group.