Russia, US could be headed for collision in Syria

Neither Russia nor the United States seems interested in escalating tension with each other in Syria, but the situation might push them in that direction.

Syria

Israel builds new wall at Lebanon’s southern border

Tension is rising on the Lebanese southern border, where Israel has started building a wall, despite UNIFIL’s reassurances that the situation there is under control.

Israel

Satterfield’s shuttle diplomacy may offer diplomatic opening for Syria

Is there more to the talks about Block 9? Success of UN Security Council cease-fire depends on definition of "terrorist."

Israel

KRG intelligence chief: Baghdad must give us our rights

Masrour Barzani, the son of former Kurdistan Regional Government President Massoud Barzani, talks about the Kurds' thinking behind the Sept. 25 independence referendum and about what may happen next.

Iraq

Iranian interference in Iraqi election stirs anger among Iraqis

With the upcoming Iraqi elections in May, Iranians have stepped up their actions to manage their alliances in Iraq to ensure the continuity of their influence.

Iraq

Pentagon partners with Germany on Tunisia border security

The Pentagon is sending nearly $20 million in high-tech help to the North African country as civil war rages in neighboring Libya.

Libya

Questions linger on airstrike that killed local police in Iraq's Anbar

Truth urged on airstrike that killed Iraqi police officers and injured the mayor in Anbar province.

Iraq

Saudis recruit legal muscle for leverage in US nuclear negotiations

Saudi Arabia has hired an international law firm to help negotiate a more favorable civil nuclear agreement with Washington amid pushback in Congress.

Saudi Arabia

World financial watchdog keeps punting on Iran

Iran had hoped to be removed from an international financial watch list but will have to settle for a continuation of an ambiguous status quo.

United States

Turkey's march on Manbij stalled by wall of reality

The United States and Russia don't appear to be on the same page as Turkey in Syria, despite Ankara's expectations, which hang in the balance.

Syria

US pressure on Hamas risks new era of enmity

As Washington moves forward on sanctions to pressure Hamas to accept a US-brokered deal with Israel, the efforts could backfire and spark new violence.

Palestine

Congress skeptical of Saudi nuclear energy demands

Lawmakers are making it clear that any proposal to share civilian nuclear technology with Saudi Arabia must include robust nonproliferation safeguards.

Saudi Arabia