Middle East
Iran parliament approves majority of Rouhani Cabinet picks
August 20, 2017
Iran parliament approves majority of Rouhani Cabinet picks
Iranian lawmakers have approved 16 Cabinet members nominated by recently re-elected President Hassan Rouhani. Parliament speaker Ali Larijani said lawmakers…
Spain investigates missing imam, mysterious explosion
August 20, 2017
Spain investigates missing imam, mysterious explosion
A missing imam and a house that exploded days ago became the focus Saturday of the investigation into an extremist…
PM: Iraqi forces begin operation to retake Tal Afar from IS
August 20, 2017
PM: Iraqi forces begin operation to retake Tal Afar from IS
The operation to retake the town of Tal Afar, west of Mosul, from the Islamic State group began Sunday morning,…
Lebanon starts offensive to clear border of IS militants
August 19, 2017
Lebanon starts offensive to clear border of IS militants
Lebanon’s US-backed army on Saturday launched its biggest military operation yet against Islamic State militants, who gained a foothold along…
US: Iraqi forces ready for next battle against IS extremists
August 19, 2017
US: Iraqi forces ready for next battle against IS extremists
Senior US military leaders said Friday that Iraqi forces are largely set for their next major campaign against Islamic State…
UN completes first round of Syria polio vaccination campaign
August 19, 2017
UN completes first round of Syria polio vaccination campaign
The United Nations says the first round of a vaccination campaign following a polio outbreak in eastern Syria has been…
Saudi forces deployed in Yemen’s port of Aden amid friction
August 19, 2017
Saudi forces deployed in Yemen’s port of Aden amid friction
Yemeni security officials say Saudi forces have arrived in the southern port city of Aden amid friction within the kingdom-led…
Rights groups urge Yemen rebels to free prominent activist
August 18, 2017
Rights groups urge Yemen rebels to free prominent activist
International rights groups on Friday urged Yemen’s Shia rebels to free a prominent Yemeni activist who used social media to…
Syria claims business comeback with international trade fair
August 18, 2017
Syria claims business comeback with international trade fair
The Syrian government on Thursday opened the country’s first international trade fair since war broke out in 2011, an event…
Mattis says a decision is closer on strategy for Afghanistan
August 18, 2017
Mattis says a decision is closer on strategy for Afghanistan
After months of sometimes heated internal debate, the Trump administration has almost reached a decision on a new approach for…