Middle East

Israel Asks Clinton to Boycott U.N. Conference

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 25, 2009

Concerns that the antiracism conference will become a forum for denunciations of the Jewish state more >>

In Israel, Binyamin Netanyahu Is Likely to Build a Right-Wing Government

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 24, 2009

The presumptive prime minister grows impatient after his overtures to centrists. more >>

Iran is the Real Issue for Israel and America in Middle East

By Mortimer Zuckerman - Opinion - February 23, 2009

Iran is at the core of a struggle between Islamists and moderate national entities. more >>

Photo Blackmail in Saudi Arabia

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 21, 2009

In one case, a teenager is sentenced to 500 lashes for threatening. more >>

Obama's Overtures Toward Iran Worry Nearby Arab Nations

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 20, 2009

Gulf states fear the outcome if the United States fails to halt Tehran's moves to get nuclear weapons. more >>

Discuss Jimmy Carter's <em>We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land: A Plan That Will Work</em>

Opinion - February 20, 2009

Former President Jimmy Carter speaks with U.S. News about his latest book on the Middle East. more >>

Possibly Driven by U.S. Pressure, Egypt Frees No. 1 Political Prisoner

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 19, 2009

Officially, Ayman Nour was released for health reasons, but supporters credit Washington. more >>

Israeli Convicted of Spying for Iran

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 18, 2009

Iranian-born Israeli reportedly cooperated with Iran's consulate in Turkey. more >>

Israel May Trade Jailed Palestinian Leader for Kidnapped Soldier

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 17, 2009

Many Israeli politicians see firebrand Marwan Barghouti as preferable to the rising power of Hamas. more >>

In Iraq, Iranian Leader Receives Warm Welcome

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 13, 2009

The visit by Iran's foreign minister revives U.S. fears about closer ties between Iraq and Iran. more >>

Palestinians Give Thumbs Down to Israeli Election Results

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 12, 2009

Many fear that the success of far-right parties makes progress in peace talks much less likely. more >>

Israeli Election Math Favors Netanyahu

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 9, 2009

Likud's leader has lost ground to a far-right party, but he is still expected to become prime minister. more >>

Turkish Leader Tries to Calm Western Fears After Davos Dust-up With Israeli President

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 6, 2009

Turkey says its prime minister's public spat with Israel's president was not aimed at Washington. more >>

Landslide Win for Iraq's Maliki in Elections

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 5, 2009

Maliki's party performed very well in provincial elections, particularly in Baghdad and Basra. more >>

Barack Obama and the Intractable, Unpredictable Middle East

By Andrew Burt - Opinion - February 5, 2009

The Middle East is completely unpredictable, former U.S. Ambassador Martin Indyk tells us. more >>

Gaza War May Be Over, but So Is Israeli Political Unity

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 2, 2009

Right-wing Likud leader Netanyahu is leading in the polls, in part by playing the nationalist card. more >>

Iran's Ahmadinejad Endorses Another Holocaust Denial Conference

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - January 30, 2009

The Iranian president sent a message of encouragement to a controversial Tehran meeting. more >>

Arab World Is Downbeat in Wake of Gaza War

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - January 29, 2009

Some say it reveals the Muslim world's weakness. Others say it makes a two-state solution less likely. more >>

What George Mitchell, the Middle East Peace Process, and Students in Ireland Share

By Mary Kate Cary - Mary Kate Cary - January 28, 2009

There's something about the U.S. envoy to the Mideast that very few people know. more >>

Barack Obama Grants First TV Interview as President to Arabic Network

By Dan Gilgoff - God & Country - January 27, 2009

Barack Obama tells Al-Arabiya he'll extend "hand of friendship" to Muslim world. more >>

Gaza Cease-Fire Talks in Cairo Floundering

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - January 27, 2009

A new flare-up after an Israeli soldier was killed in an explosion threatens the fragile cease-fire more >>

Israel Girds for Visit by President Obama's New Envoy, George Mitchell

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - January 26, 2009

Former senator George Mitchell is heading to the Middle East to discuss the aftermath of the Gaza war more >>

Arabs Turn Skeptical About Obama in Wake of Gaza War

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - January 23, 2009

Obama's silence on Israel's invasion before becoming president has made some Arabs suspicious of him. more >>

One of Gaza War's Big Winners: Al Jazeera

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - January 22, 2009

The Al Jazeera satellite TV network made its name just as CNN did during the 1991 Gulf War more >>

On George W. Bush: Hypocritical Critics in the Arab World

By Sam Dealey - Sam Dealey - January 21, 2009

Criticism of Bush and the war on terror is fair game...when it's not hypocritical. more >>