Middle East
Pakistan army pushed political role for militant-linked groups
September 16, 2017
Pakistan army pushed political role for militant-linked groups
A new Pakistani political party controlled by an Islamist with a $10 million US bounty on his head is backing…
Clashes between troops and IS intensify in central Syria
September 15, 2017
Clashes between troops and IS intensify in central Syria
Syrian government forces pressed their offensive in the province of Hama on Friday in a weekslong attack aimed at clearing…
Suspected US drone strike targets militants in Pakistan, regional official says
September 15, 2017
Suspected US drone strike targets militants in Pakistan, regional official says
A suspected US drone strike killed three people in the tribal area of Pakistan near the Afghanistan border on Friday,…
Risk of Afghan civilian casualties could damp support for US strikes on militants
September 15, 2017
Risk of Afghan civilian casualties could damp support for US strikes on militants
US President Donald Trump’s plans to step up air strikes on Islamist militants in Afghanistan risk increasing civilian casualties and…
King’s forces arrest prominent Saudis in warning to critics
September 15, 2017
King’s forces arrest prominent Saudis in warning to critics
When news broke of a possible breakthrough in an impasse that has pitted Qatar against its Arab neighbors for the…
Western powers press Iraq Kurd leaders to shelve ‘very risky’ independence vote
September 15, 2017
Western powers press Iraq Kurd leaders to shelve ‘very risky’ independence vote
The United States and Western allies pressed Iraqi Kurdish leaders to ditch a “very risky” independence vote on Thursday, presenting…
Qatar emir due in Turkey for first trip since Gulf crisis
September 14, 2017
Qatar emir due in Turkey for first trip since Gulf crisis
Turkey said Thursday it wants Qatar and its Arab neighbors to overcome differences through dialogue and a “brotherly” manner as…
At least 50 killed in suicide attacks in southern Iraq: officials
September 14, 2017
At least 50 killed in suicide attacks in southern Iraq: officials
The death toll from suicide attacks in a southern Iraqi city on Thursday had risen to 50 people, with more…
Exclusive: Syria calls off mysterious million tonne Russian wheat deal
September 14, 2017
Exclusive: Syria calls off mysterious million tonne Russian wheat deal
A mysterious Syrian wheat purchase signed last October with a little-known Russian trader has formally been called off, a government…
Evacuated Islamic State fighters reach Syria’s Deir al-Zor, pro-Damascus commander says
September 14, 2017
Evacuated Islamic State fighters reach Syria’s Deir al-Zor, pro-Damascus commander says
Buses carrying evacuated Islamic State fighters reached Syria’s Deir al-Zor on Wednesday in return for releasing a Hezbollah prisoner, a…