The many dimensions of Mosul, and what comes next

There's much more at play in Mosul than a campaign for its immediate liberation from the Islamic State.

Iraq

How dual nationality became a key controversy in Iran

The issue of dual citizenship is turning into a full-blown political football in Iran, where 35 senior officials have been barred from holding office following probes into their citizenships.

United States

Zarif-Kerry joint prize raises eyebrows in Iran

For Iran's foreign minister, winning an international prize may not be good news as hard-liners could use it as a pretext to attack him.

United States

Is US reconsidering its support for Saudi Arabia in Yemen war?

The recent missile attacks on US vessels off Yemen’s coast as well as the limited US response suggest that Washington may be disengaging from the war in Yemen and putting pressure on Saudi Arabia to follow suit.

Saudi Arabia

Has JASTA pushed Saudi Arabia and Israel closer?

Riyadh has become convinced more than ever that the closer it gets to Tel Aviv, which it believes has influence in US decision-making circles, the stronger and safer it will become in the face of JASTA.

Saudi Arabia

Iran's Rouhani breaks his silence on US presidential race

For the first time, Iran’s moderate president has spoken about the US presidential election — but even his criticism is dismissed by his hard-line opponents.

United States

Did Putin give green light to Turkish attack on US-backed Syrian Kurds?

Kurds again in crosshairs as Turkey weighs options in Mosul.

Iraq

Trump, Clinton turn their attention to early voting

Early voting is a key weapon in battleground states, particularly for Democrats.

United States

US elections 2016: Is Trump really a threat to US democracy?

Here's what happened on the campaign trail the week of Oct. 17.

United States

Will tension at sea lead to endless war in Yemen?

The Yemeni war reached the sea after being confined to the mainland for 19 months, with international and regional players heading to the most important maritime route in the world.

Yemen

Russia's Mideast role hot topic in final Clinton-Trump debate

The release of Democratic emails to WikiLeaks may have been less about helping a Republican candidate Russians see as unpredictable and more about fending off US interference in Russia's 2018 presidential election.

Syria

Mosul adds to staggering world refugee crisis

With the highest number of refugees and displaced people since World War II and continued brutal conflicts in Syria, Iraq and beyond forcing millions to flee, humanitarians lament a broken system running from crisis to crisis.

Iraq