Rafsanjani reacts to ejection from Iranian vote with relief, warnings
Two days after being barred from the presidential race, the former leader draws support from key Iranians.
In Jerusalem and Ramallah, Kerry pushes for Mideast peace talks
The top U.S. diplomat urges Israeli and Palestinian leaders to return to the negotiating table.
Over protests, Israel plans to double prayer space at Western Wall
The plan is aimed at appeasing American Jews and accommodating liberal Judaism at the Old City wall.
Syrian conflict exacerbates sectarian tensions across region
The rising violence in a Lebanese city is evidence of increasing regional entanglement in Syria’s war.
Kerry promises wider U.S. support for Syrian rebels if diplomacy fails
At conference in Jordan, Kerry says peace process will be hard and slow but remains the best option.
Iran presidential campaign begins without two big names
Ahmadinejad protests decision to bar his top aide and suggests he will seek to have it reversed.
Photo Gallery
Fighting in Syria
Violence escalates between government and opposition forces in key Syrian cities.
Latest Headlines
- Hezbollah No. 2 says EU making big mistake if it labels group terrorist
- Tunisian feminist faces 6-month prison sentence for carrying pepper spray
- Syria says Israeli vehicle entered its territory and was targeted heading to a rebel village
- Iran presidential candidate vows policy of resistance against the West if elected
- Canada says Qatar has abandoned its bid to relocate UN civil aviation agency from Montreal
- Yemen says fighting in south leaves 3 al-Qaida militants , 2 soldiers dead
- Q&A: Questions and answers about restrictions proposed on alcohol sales and ads in Turkey
- Kerry, Lavrov to meet in Paris on Syrian peace talks
Photos from around the region

Islamists in Egypt
Since ousting Mubarak, the Islamists and liberals have quarreled over Egypt’s religious tenor.

Palin makes trip to holy site in Jerusalem
Palin visited a Jewish holy site in Jerusalem soon after arriving in Israel.

Making demands across the Middle East
Demonstrations inspired by uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia quickly spread.

Making demands across the Middle East
Demonstrations inspired by uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia quickly spread.

Clearing Tahrir Square
Egypt’s army and military police try to clear the last protesters from Cairo's main square.

After Egypt’s regime change
Ruling council says it will run the country for six months, or until elections are held.
Special Reports
Elsewhere in World
Africa

- Tunisian feminist faces 6-month prison sentence for carrying pepper spray
- Nigeria's military says it has rescued women and children held hostage by Islamic extremists
- With French help, Niger kills last jihadists in Agadez attack, frees hostages
- Advocacy group: Kenya's mental hospital confines, drugs patients
Middle East

- Russia says Syrian government agrees to peace talks, but skepticism persists on both sides
- Iran presidential candidate vows policy of resistance against the West if elected
- Syria says Israeli vehicle entered its territory and was targeted heading to a rebel village
- Egypt: 10 men suspected of killing of 3 female family members in 'honor' crime
Europe

- IMF chief Lagarde named key witness in investigation of payoff to French business tycoon
- UK Parliament speaker's wife settles libel case after court rules her tweet was defamatory
- IMF chief to be witness, not suspect, in French arbitration case
- Hezbollah No. 2 says EU making big mistake if it labels group terrorist
The Americas

- Toronto Mayor Rob Ford denies allegations that he smokes crack cocaine
- Ex-Guatemala president extradited to US to face embezzlement, money-laundering charges
- Honduran gangs plan to sign a truce to cut violence in one of world's most dangerous countries
- Mexico says far fewer disappeared in drug war than feared
National Security

- Looking at US security in years ahead, Obama weighs terror threats against civil liberties
- By the numbers: US drone strikes and estimated deaths in Pakistan and Yemen since 2002
- Obama lifts ban on the transfer of Guantanamo detainees to Yemen
- Obama says counter-terror strategy must include US aid to support emerging democracies abroad






















