middle-east
Israel heads toward unprecedented 3rd election within a year
Israeli kingmaker politician Avigdor Lieberman on Wednesday refused to endorse a candidate for prime minister, blaming both the contenders engaged in a tense standoff that has paralyzed Israeli politics and pushing the country toward a likely third election in less than a year.
Israel faces likely third election amid Bibi-Gantz standoff
Israel is no closer to a breakthrough out of its political paralysis and with the clock running out late Wednesday on Benny Gantz's window to build a coalition government, the prospect of an unprecedented third election in less than a year appears increasingly likely.
Iraqi officials: 27 wounded in renewed fighting in Baghdad
Iraqi security officials say at least 27 protesters have been wounded in renewed clashes overnight in central Baghdad.
Israel strikes Iranian targets in Syria; 11 reported killed
The Israeli military said it struck dozens of Iranian targets in Syria on Wednesday, carrying out a "wide-scale" strike in response to rocket fire on the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights the day before.
Syrian air defenses respond to missile attack
The Syrian air defenses on Wednesday responded to foreign missile strikes on Damascus, state media reported.
Israeli military says 4 rockets fired from Syria intercepted
The Israeli military said it intercepted four incoming rockets from Syria on Tuesday and explosions were heard shortly after that in Damascus, a week after another Israeli strike targeted a top Palestinian militant in the Syrian capital.
Iran downplays, demonizes protests amid internet shutdown
Iran on Monday alternatively downplayed and demonized ongoing protests across the country that have killed at least five people and renewed pressure on the government as the country struggles under the weight of U.S. economic sanctions.
Leaked intelligence cables show Iran’s grip on Iraq
Hundreds of pages of purported Iranian intelligence documents have come to light that detail Iran’s massive influence in neighboring Iraq, The New York Times and The Intercept reported on Monday.
Kuwaiti emir reappoints outgoing PM to form new gov't
Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Monday reappointed Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah as prime minister, the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.
Lebanese protests test Hezbollah’s role as Shiites’ champion
Young men chanting the "people want to bring down the regime" gathered outside the office of Lebanese legislator Mohammed Raad, the powerful head of Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc. One shirtless man grabbed a metal rod and swung it at the sign bearing Raad’s name, knocking it out of place as others cheered.