Middle East news and stories by mail.com

Middle East

Congress grapples with gap on scofflaw contractors
With thousands of civilian contractors remaining in Iraq and Afghanistan, Justice Department officials want Congress to resolve a legal issue they say ...
Cameron makes unexpected visit to Libya
British Prime Minister David Cameron made an unexpected visit to the Libyan capital of Tripoli on Thursday and announced that U.K. police officers ...
Syria a top focus for Biden 3-country trip
The ongoing civil war in Syria will be a primary focus when Vice President Joe Biden embarks on a three-country swing through Europe. Biden leaves ...
Hagel, McCain tangle over Iraq war and troop surge
Republican Sen. John McCain is tangling with Chuck Hagel over his past statements about the Iraq war. The Arizona Republican says that his ...
Durex launches condom delivery service in Dubai
Need a condom delivered to your doorstep in an hour? Then Dubai is the place to be. Already the launching pad for American fast-food restaurants and ...
Yemen clashes between al-Qaida, militiamen kill 14
Yemen's Defense Ministry says clashes in the south between al-Qaida militants and pro-government fighters have killed 14 on both sides. A ministry ...
Underdog 'Argo' continues on charmed Oscar path
Some years, Academy Awards voters just want to feel right about themselves, their industry, their country. And maybe honor one of their own who hasn't ...
Oil prices stay near $98 ahead of US jobs data
Oil prices hovered near $98 a barrel Thursday, close to four-month highs, as traders waited for more economic indicators from the U.S. By early ...
O'Meara says Singh should be punished for doping
Mark O'Meara doesn't think Vijay Singh would ever try to cheat but still believes the Fijian should be suspended "for a couple of months" by the PGA ...
Israeli astronaut's widow carries on after tragedy
It's a day Israelis will never forget: Feb. 1, 2003, when national pride abruptly turned to national tragedy. People gathered around their TV screens ...
Israeli jets bomb military target in Syria
Israel launched a rare airstrike inside Syria, U.S. officials said Wednesday, targeting a convoy believed to contain anti-aircraft weapons bound for ...
Ten years since loss of space shuttle Columbia
He was just 8 when NASA lost the space shuttle Columbia and he lost his astronaut mom. Now, 10 years later, Iain Clark is a young man on the cusp of ...
Hagel says military view shaped by Vietnam
Chuck Hagel says his experience fighting in Vietnam alongside his younger brother will shape any decision he makes to unleash military force if the ...
Week of unrest weakens Egypt's Islamist leader
Egypt's Islamist president has been significantly weakened by a week of violent protests across much of the country, with his popularity eroding, the ...
Syria opposition leader would talk to Assad regime
Syria's top opposition leader declared on Wednesday that he is willing to negotiate with members of President Bashar Assad's regime to bring a ...
Gulf leads UN appeal for major boost in Syrian aid
An emergency U.N. appeal to raise $1.5 billion in humanitarian aid for Syria exceeded its goal Wednesday at a conference with dire predictions of ...
Morsi, in Germany, defends comments on Jews
Egypt's Islamist president turned aside repeated criticism of his past comments referring to Jews as "the descendants of apes and pigs" as he visited ...
Egypt liberals, Islamists add pressure on Morsi
A hardline Islamist party normally allied to Egypt's president joined the liberal opposition on Wednesday in calling for a national unity government ...
2 Israeli parties endorse Netanyahu for new term
Israel's two largest political parties endorsed Benjamin Netanyahu for prime minister Wednesday, all but guaranteeing him a third term at the ...
Hagel: Window closing on Iran and diplomacy
Defense Secretary nominee Chuck Hagel said the "window is closing" on Iran and the possibility of diplomacy if it continues to ignore international ...
Report: Iran, Hezbollah terror threat rising
Iran's elite Quds Force and Hezbollah militants are learning from a series of botched terror attacks over the past two years and pose a growing threat ...
Israel central bank chief quits to be with family
The governor of Israel's central bank says he's stepping down to be closer to his family in the United States. Stanley Fischer told reporters on ...
Israel jets increase activity in Lebanese airspace
The Lebanese military said Wednesday that Israeli warplanes have sharply increased their activity over Lebanon in the past week, including at least ...
Syrian refugee surge tests Sweden's welcome
Wisam Attiki was drawn by the tales of Nordic refuge: All he had to do was set foot in Sweden, his fellow Syrians said, and the rich, peaceful nation ...