Breaking news from the MIDDLE EAST

Swift end to Assad regime top priority, Clinton says
SYRIA

Swift end to Assad regime top priority, Clinton says

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Washington’s top goal was to “hasten the end of the bloodshed and the Assad regime”, during talks with Turkey’s foreign minister on Saturday. Clinton was in Istanbul to discuss the deepening Syrian crisis.
FRANCE 24 EXCLUSIVE

On the frontline in Damascus

Medal-winning Tunisian fuels women’s rights debate
TUNISIA

Medal-winning Tunisian fuels women’s rights debate

Runner Habiba Ghribi has become the first ever Tunisian woman to stand on an Olympic podium, after winning a silver medal at the London Games this week. Her victory has fueled an ongoing debate over women’s rights back home.
Far-flung foreign jihadists enter Syrian fray
TERRORISM

Far-flung foreign jihadists enter Syrian fray

When a Dutch journalist was kidnapped in Syria last month, he discovered his captors hailed from countries as far-flung as Britain and Bangladesh, proof that an increasing number of foreign jihadists are setting up operations in Syria.
US security firm fined $7.5 million for arms smuggling
USA-IRAQ

US security firm fined $7.5 million for arms smuggling

A US security firm, which held lucrative contracts in Iraq, has been slapped with a $7.5 million fine for smuggling arms. The firm formerly known as Blackwater agreed to pay the fine to avoid prosecution, the Justice Department said.
Syria's 'forgotten Kurds' grab the spotlight
SYRIA - TURKEY

Syria's 'forgotten Kurds' grab the spotlight

One of the unintended consequences of the Syrian uprising has been the rising political aspirations of Syria's minority Kurds, predominantly based near the Syrian-Turkish border. But across the frontier, Ankara is on high alert.
(7) comments
Saudi teenager makes Olympic history in judo
Olympic Games 2012

Saudi teenager makes Olympic history in judo

A 16-year-old judo competitor from Saudi Arabia made Olympic history on Friday when she became the first female athlete from the country to compete at the Games. Wodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani was easily beaten by her Puerto Rican opponent.
SYRIA

Can flamboyant defector Tlass speak for Syria's silent elite?

(1) comment
Israel plans controversial end to draft exemption for ultra-Orthodox
ISRAEL

Israel plans controversial end to draft exemption for ultra-Orthodox

Israel Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Tuesday gave defense officials one month to craft a plan requiring ultra-Orthodox Jewish men to participate in military service, in an issue that has divided the country for decades.
SYRIA

France plans new Syria push at UN Security Council

(1) comment
Arafat widow requests probe into poison allegations
FRANCE

Arafat widow requests probe into poison allegations

Yasser Arafat’s widow and daughter formally requested that French authorities launch an investigation into his death Tuesday, after suspicions were raised that the former Palestinian leader was poisoned prior to his death in 2004.
SYRIA

Will the Syrian 'endgame' stall in an Alawite holdout?

(2) comments
Victims' families sue US officials over drone strikes
USA - YEMEN

Victims' families sue US officials over drone strikes

The families of three US citizens killed by drone strikes in Yemen, including al Qaeda member Anwar al-Awlaqi (pictured), filed a civil suit against US officials Thursday. The US defence secretary and the director of the CIA are among the defendants.
(1) comment
Syndicate contentA bid for Palestinian statehood
SYRIA

Syrian security attack sparks conspiracy theories

(1) comment
Syndicate contentINTERVIEW
Syndicate contentON THE BLOGS
Syndicate contentEGYPT MARKS THE FIRST YEAR SINCE THE FALL OF MUBARAK
Syndicate contentTIMELINE
Syndicate contentFRANCE 24 REPORTS
Syndicate contentEgypt's unfinished revolution
Syndicate contentnews briefs
22:55
Qatar helps Egypt with $2bn central bank deposit - AFP
20:35
Defections and attrition warfare, weapons of Syria's revolt - AFP
20:12
Dream comes true for Libya's lone woman competitor - AFP
19:19
Truth as elusive as militants in Egypt's Sinai - AFP
19:11
Six men killed while swimming in north Iraq - AFP
All news briefs
Syndicate contentThe France 24 Interviews
Syndicate contentThe week in the Middle East
Close