Middle East

Turkey says it will create Syria buffer zone after Trump call

Mixed messages from Trump-Erdogan discussion continue to leave region wondering what comes next in eastern Syria

Satellite images show demolished Iranian site

Weapons storehouse at Damascus airport was struck by Israel last week.

Evaluating Progress: Saudi Women Informed Of Divorce By Text Message

Riyadh's modernizing reforms belie larger systemic issues.

Iran launches satellite into space, fails: report

The rocket carrying the satellite "failed to reach the required speed in the third stage," according to the country's communications minister.

Saudi teen refugee: Coming to Canada was 'worth the risk'

Relations between Ottawa and Riyadh have been tense after Canada demanded the immediate release of jailed rights activists last year.

Trump administration officials deny making secret overtures to Iran

A top Iranian security official claims Washington tried to establish backchannel for negotiations through Afghan intermediaries.

Peace efforts to end 18 years of war in Afghanistan look in disarray

Confusion over who is speaking to whom and what the roles and goals are

Similarities and Differences Between The EEA & NAFTA

Both have been criticised by its members; many in Europe seeing the disparity for poorer member states

Pompeo: Saudis assured me of accountability for Khashoggi murder

Khashoggi, a longtime royal insider who had become a critic of the crown prince, was killed in October in the kingdom's Istanbul consulate, prompting a global outcry.

Saudi-backed organization denounces countries for 'inciting' women to flee

NSHR head Mufleh al-Qahtani accused unspecified countries and international organizations of pursuing political agendas and "pushing (women) ultimately to be lost."

Iran says taking first steps in designing reactor fuel

Iran's 2015 nuclear accord with world powers caps the level to which it is able to enrich uranium to 3.67 percent purity.

Trump threatens to 'devastate Turkey economically' if they attack Kurds

"Turkey expects the US to honor our strategic partnership and doesn't want it to be shadowed by terrorist propaganda," Erdogan's spokesman said.

U.S.-backed Syrian force: Islamic State in its 'final moments'

A defeat of the jihadists in the enclave would wipe out Islamic State's territorial foothold on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River.

Why lift the fog off of IDF actions in Syria?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took this break to a further level on Sunday, telling the cabinet that over the last 36 hours the IAF hit an Iranian arms warehouse at the Damascus International Airport.

Experts: Iran may skirt diplomatic efforts to stop nuclear program

Some say that a sufficient number of advanced centrifuges could drop Iran’s breakout time to a nuclear weapon from a year to a few months to even weeks.

Syrian regime seeks 'intensified' talks with Kurdish forces

Damascus has previously stated its opposition to the kind of federal-state sought by the main Kurdish groups.

White House reportedly explored military options for U.S. strike on Iran

The request, which could lead to direct military confrontation between Iran and the United State, raised concern in the Pentagon.

Qatar Investment Authority aims to reach $45 bln in U.S. investments

The sovereign wealth fund has built up a huge European portfolio through stakes in companies including Deutsche Bank , Credit Suisse, London Stock Exchange and Volkswagen.

Iran protests U.S. led summit on the Middle East, calls it 'hostile'

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday the summit -- to be held in Warsaw on Feb. 13-14 -- would focus on stability and security in the Middle East.

Syrian regime: Israeli jets struck Damascus International Airport

Outgoing IDF Chief of Staff admits to carrying out thousands of strikes against Iranian and Hezbollah targets in Syria.

Saudi seeking asylum is being flown to Canada

"Canada has granted her asylum," Surachate told Reuters. "She'll leave tonight at 11.15 p.m.”

Following U.S. withdrawal, Turkey reinforces troops on Syrian border

The convoy was being sent to reinforce a Turkish military presence on the border near the northern Syrian province of Idlib.

U.S.-led coalition begins withdrawal from Syria

President Donald Trump announced last month the decision to withdraw 2,000 US troops who have deployed to Syria.

All-women travel expeditions take off in Middle East

Amid growing demand, more and more travel companies launch trips geared towards women in Iran, Egypt, Jordan and Oman.

Palestinians in West Bank on verge of revolt against social security law

Weekly protests raising the heat on Mahmoud Abbas' Ramallah-based government.