Middle East

Iranian poli-sci prof. given another year in prison for dissidence

Previously sentenced for spreading "propaganda against the regime." If there is a war with Israel, we will have to explain "why we fought a war with a country 200 km. away that never threatened us."

ISIS claims Afghan wedding suicide blast that killed 63

Women and children were among the casualties, interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said on Sunday.

Will Iran outmaneuver U.S. in hunt for Grace 1 tanker? - analysis

On Friday US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned mariners against crewing ships linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or others under US sanctions.

PA accuses Israel of extra-judicial killings of Palestinians

The allegation came in wake of the recent terrorist attacks in the Old City of Jerusalem and Gush Etzion.

Did Rashida Tlaib refuse to meet with Palestinian Authority's Abbas?

Some Palestinians claimed that Tlaib and members of her delegation had made it clear that they were not interested in meeting with Palestinian Authority officials.

Taliban say killing of leader's brother will not derail U.S. talks

"If someone thinks martyring our leaders would stop us from our goal they're living in a fool's paradise," a Taliban leader said by telephone from an undisclosed location.

U.N. experts condemn jail terms for compulsory hijab protest

"[They] peacefully protested against Iran’s compulsory veiling laws and advocated for a woman’s right to choose whether or not to wear the hijab."

Palestinians fear UNRWA mandate may not be renewed

PLO 'regrets' suspension of funding to agency

Civilian death toll mounts as Syrian offensive widens

"They are bombing the towns and their outskirts to push people to flee."

Civilian death toll mounts as Syrian offensive widens

An air strike in the village of Deir killed seven people, mostly children, on Saturday morning, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Jordan fumes amid increased tensions at Jerusalem holy site

Amman is furious over Israeli minister's call for changing the status quo on Temple Mount

Yemeni Houthis claim attack on Saudi Arabia's Shaybah oil field

The facilities attacked included a refinery and oil storage, Al Masirah said, citing a military spokesman.

U.S. issues warrant to seize Iranian tanker off Gibraltar

The Grace 1 was seized by British Royal Marines at the western mouth of the Mediterranean on July 4 on suspicion of violating European Union sanctions by taking oil to Syria.

Saudi-led coalition fires flares over Yemeni port of Aden

The coalition overnight on Saturday renewed a call for the separatist forces to withdraw from all sites they have recently captured in Aden.

France calls for immediate end to fighting in Syrian city of Idlib

Over the past week, the Syrian army has advanced toward the town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib in a pincer movement.

Poland may join U.S.-led mission in Strait of Hormuz

Poland's Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz first made the comments to German news agency dpa on Friday.

Iran tanker in Gibraltar can leave when ready, U.S. legal block looms

An Iranian tanker detained in Gibraltar for breaching EU sanctions could be allowed to leave on Friday, though a last minute U.S. legal bid to halt it could yet end up back in court

Syria claims air defense defend against airstrike

Syrian state media reported that the targets had infiltrated Syrian air space from the direction of Lebanon.

My Word: Jihadi brides and forgotten victims

Compassion should not override common sense.

Iran’s Zarif exploits US partisanship on foreign policy

The foreign minister uses inner hostilities between the two American parties to have U.S.foreign policy become a partisan issue.

U.S. bid to seize Iranian tanker halts its release from Gibraltar

The Grace 1 oil tanker was seized by Royal Marine commandos in a landing in darkness off the coast of the British overseas territory on July 4.

Israeli watchdog accuses PA of plotting Temple Mount violence

Tisha Be’Av this year coincided with the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, Festival of Sacrifice.

Mahmoud Abbas snubs visiting Republicans

Abbas dropped out of a scheduled meeting in Ramallah with the delegation of 31 Republicans.

How will Iraq interpret third explosion at base of Iran-backed militias?

The explosions, if seen as merely a public safety issue, can encourage the government to secure the bases and munitions used by the PMF.

Yazidis mourn 2014 genocide and 2007 terror attack anniversaries

The latter was among the world's worst terror attacks in decades. ISIS grew out of the extremism of the years 2005-09, borrowing from Al Qaeda ideology and perfecting it.