Iranian-American Stunned by Sentence
Kian Tajbakhsh, who was arrested in postelection protests in Iran and sentenced to 15 years in prison on Sunday, had been hopeful that he would be released, a family member says.
World Briefing | Middle East: Israel: U.S. Ambassador to U.N. Urges Peace Talks
Susan E. Rice told Israelis that it was not enough to pay lip service to peace and urged the government to restart negotiations immediately, without preconditions.
History of failed peace talks
In the 40 years since the Middle East war of June 1967, there have been many peace plans and many negotiations.
Palestinians Now Have Voting Date, but No Unity
The move by Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, resolved a constitutional crisis, but created new complications and underscored the depth of the political divide.
Iran Delays Its Decision on Shipping Nuclear Fuel
A top Iranian official said his country would respond next week to a United Nations-drafted plan to ship much of its uranium to Russia for further enrichment.
Opportunities Fade Amid Sense of Isolation in Gaza
The ideological differences between Fatah and Hamas have frustrated Palestinian professionals, who are seeing fewer prospects for education and employment.
Working West Bank checkpoints
You may be able to see Jerusalem from the West Bank but it doesn’t mean it is an easy job delivering goods across the border.
Deep Corruption Rattles Iraq s Fragile State
As Americans play less of a direct role in security operations, corruption is more of a threat.
Borders and settlements
The BBC’s Martin Asser looks at the four main obstacles on the road to peace between Israel and its Arab neighbours.
Auditor Faults Work on U.S. Embassy in Iraq
The State Department s inspector general said the $700 million complex was a monument to shoddy work and poor oversight.
Stalemate in Parliament Could Delay Iraq Elections
A stalemate in Parliament increased the pressure to delay national elections, which might slow the American withdrawal.
Sharing the land
Why Mid-East peace has remained elusive
Iran Hints at Uranium Plan Changes
An Iranian official said even if the country agreed to ship its enriched uranium abroad, it would not send it all at once, Iranian news media reported.
Can Obama deliver on the ME?
Barack Obama’s aim of improving Arab-Israeli relations is being put to the test just as Israel turns its attention to Iran, the BBC’s Jonathan Marcus writes.
Abroad: When Ancient Artifacts Become Political Pawns
Egypt has requested the return of a bust of Nefertiti and other artifacts from European museums, a move motivated as much by politics as by culture.
Men Accused of Trying to Supply Hezbollah
One of the suspects, from Flushing, Queens, is in federal custody, while the other is at large, possibly somewhere in Britain.
U.N. Inspectors Visit Iranian Site
U.N. inspectors got their first look inside a once-secret uranium enrichment facility that has raised Western suspicions about the extent of Iran s nuclear program.
Legislators in Iraq Block a Deal on Election Law
Negotiations have dragged on for weeks, threatening scheduled national elections.
