Suicide attack targets Shiite town in Lebanon

On Feb. 1, a suicide attack targeted the Shiite-majority town of Hermel in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, the fifth suicide attack against Shiite areas in less than three months.

Lebanon

Al-Qaeda now frontline threat to Israel

With gains in Syria, Lebanon and Egypt, al-Qaeda and its affiliates threaten Israel more than ever.

Iraq

Syrian foreign minister calls for national unity government

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Walid Moallem, Syria's minister of foreign affairs and expatriates, said that the Syrian National Coalition's rejection of a resolution condemning terrorism was "unfortunate and strange."

Syria

Are UN Security Council anti-al-Qaeda terror statutes properly enforced?

The UN Security Council has established a regime for a travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo against the al-Qaeda network since 1999, but new circumstances bring about serious doubts if such a regime is still functioning.

Yemen

Palestinian refugees from Syria struggle to attend Gaza's universities

Palestinian university students who fled the violence in Syria are facing many difficulties in the Gaza Strip, as the authorities have backtracked on promises to exempt them from fees.

Palestine

Residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs live in fear of attacks

Following a string of attacks by extremist groups targeting the mostly pro-Hezbollah southern suburbs of Beirut, locals in this area carry on with their lives, although with tightened security measures.

Lebanon

Settlement mayor: Renouncing Jordan Valley will destroy Likud

Ma'ale Adumim settlement Mayor Benny Kasriel says, ''Anyone who'll concede the Jordan Valley will find himself out of the Likud Party.''

Palestine

Erdogan visit to Iran to address Syria, economic ties

The visit of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Tehran will offer an opportunity to defuse tensions on Syria while expanding economic relations.

Syria

Pope's statement in Davos a rare moment of hope

Pope Francis' statement read at Davos was a counterbalance to political unrest and economic uncertainty around the world.

Lebanon

Brahimi saves his energy for Geneva III

The Geneva II conference may not achieve even minor agreements, much less peace.

Syria

Russia's Kurdish dilemma

Russia seeks to place its Kurdish policies in the broader context of a changing Middle East.

Iraq

Turkey deals with terrorist blowback on Syria

Turkey may be resetting its regional policies in response to popular discontent and the threat from terrorist groups operating in Syria.

Syria