Middle East

Tunisia to stop forced anal examinations of gay men

The North African country still punishes homosexuality with a three-year prison sentence.

Kurdistan President: Kurdish people to decide their future

Barzani says long process of negotiation will follow to create independent democratic multicultural state.

Iran launches war games near Iraqi Kurdistan border

Turkey hits militant positions.

Countering the US, Iran test-fires new ballistic missile

The missile is capable of reaching Israel, and it can be armed with several warheads.

Iran unveils a ballistic missile that can hit Israel in military parade

The missile will be delivered to the air defense system of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The Iraqi militia helping Iran carve a road to Damascus

Ties between the Shi'ite-led governments in Tehran and Baghdad have become stronger, and Iran has acquired growing influence in Iraq.

Arab media report Israeli airstrike on Damascus Airport

In recent weeks, Israel has stepped up attacks on targets in Syria, claiming them as defensive moves to prevent the encroachment of Iran and Hezbollah on its border.

Defying Trump, President Rouhani says Iran boost missile capability

"We [Iran] will increase our military power as a deterrent. We will strengthen our missile capabilities ... We will not seek permission from anyone to defend our country."

UN Security Council announces opposition to Kurdish independence vote

The 15-member council voted unanimously to officially oppose the referendum.

Foul play questions surround the mysterious death of Hezbollah bodyguard

Arab media suggests Musa Muhamad Wahabi, the personal bodyguard to Hezbollah leader Nasralla, was killed because he knew too much.

Analysis: Why is Iraq’s offensive to reclaim Hawija from ISIS important?

A closer look at the battle revolving one of the last pockets of ISIS-controlled territories in Iraq.

Trump: US will consider resuming halted military aid to Egypt

The US president said he would consider redirecting funds to Egypt just ahead of his meeting with Egyptian President al-Sisi.

Iran says it does not expect US to leave nuclear deal

A senior US official said Trump is leaning toward not certifying that Iran is complying with the pact and letting Congress effectively decide whether to kill the agreement.

President Trump meets with Jordanian king to discuss Syria crisis

President Trump met King Abdullah II to discuss Iran's destabilizing influence in the conflict-addled country.

Iran's Rouhani takes the stage at UN to lambast 'ignorant' Trump

The Iranian president took the floor at the United Nations General Assembly's 72nd session minutes after Trump announced he had made up his mind about the much-contested nuclear deal.

Trump says he made decision on Iran nuke deal, won't reveal it yet

A senior Iranian official has said in response that Iran is prepared for all scenarios.

How can negotiators in the Israeli-Palestinian talks learn from Bahrain?

While the country lacks basic freedoms, there are elements of religious tolerance that afford opportunities to build bridges.

Kurdish referendum on ‘Independence’ unpopular but imminent

A meaningless vote manufactures its own meaning. No regional or international actor except Israel has supported the referendum.

Lost generation: 500,000 Syrian refugee children still out of school

"A lot of the parents who live in refugee camps, whether in Syria or Lebanon, do not send their children to school after age 12 or 13, but send them to work," says an aid worker in Lebanon.

Hamas to Abbas: Lift punitive measures against the people of Gaza

Fatah and Hamas officials are slated to meet in Cairo in the next week to discuss reconciliation.

Trump debates 'decertification' approach to undercut Iran deal

It's a goldilocks option for the White House, which vociferously disapproves of the Obama-era nuclear deal.

US and Iran argue over inspections at nuclear watchdog meeting

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley last month called for the IAEA to inspect a wider range of sites in Iran, including military ones.

Iranian army chief: We will turn Tel Aviv and Haifa into dust

On the eve of Prime Minister Netanyahu's meeting with US President Donald Trump, Tehran threatens to destroy Israel "with lightning speed."

Iran leader Khamenei warns US against 'wrong move' on nuclear deal

"There will be no retreat by the Islamic Republic," said Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Bahrain king denounces Arab boycott of Israel, says countrymen may visit

The king of the island nation has plans to establish a Museum of Religious Tolerance in the capital city by the end of the year.

Egyptian court sentences ex-President Morsi to 25 years for spy case

Morsi was previously sentenced to death, although that sentence was overturned.

Iraq's Kurdish parliament backs Sept 25 independence referendum

Disregarding warnings from the West and Turkey, the Kurdish parliament is set to ask the people if they want independence.

Moscow rejects Israeli request for buffer zone in Syria

A senior Israeli official said that Israel never asked for the buffer zone.

Iran pays $830 million to Hezbollah

Iran is also "the largest backer financially and militarily'' to Hamas's militant wing.

‘Second Turkish Republic’ looks east for new alliances

Three factors underlie Turkey’s ongoing drift away from its traditional strategic position in the region as a NATO and US ally.