Middle East

First Coast Connect

Melissa Ross

After weeks of violence, a three-day cease-fire between the Israeli Defense Forces and the Hamas militants seems to be holding this morning in the ravaged…

Community

Local Palestinian-Americans Visit Embattled Region For Annual Convention

Melissa Ross

The First Coast is home to one of the largest Palestinian-American communities in the country. Just before tensions recently broke out in Gaza, several…

Politics

As Conflict Continues, Examining The Rise of ISIS In Iraq

Melissa Ross

Iraqi authorities this morning are looking at a video that purportedly shows the leader of the extremist terror group The Islamic State of Iraq and the…

A U.S. Army soldier guards the remains of a burned-out military ammunition truck after it was attacked in Fallujah, Iraq, on Oct. 19, 2003. Fallujah and its surrounds were the site of some of the bloodiest fighting for U.S. troops during the Iraq war.

Community

Fallujah Veterans Ask Hard Questions About Their Sacrifices

Quil Lawrence

A radical group with links to al-Qaida has taken intermittent control of key parts of Fallujah in western Iraq. It's the same area where U.S. troops saw some of their bloodiest fights during the Iraq war a decade ago, costing the U.S. more lives than any other region in Iraq.

Hassan al-Laqis, described as one of Hezbollah's founding members, was killed in an attack outside his home in Beirut. He's seen here in a photo released Wednesday by the Hezbollah Media Relation Office.

Politics

Hezbollah Commander Dies In Attack Outside Beirut Home

Bill Chappell

Hassan al-Laqis was reportedly a veteran commander with expertise in technology and intelligence. Hezbollah blamed Israel for the killing, but Israeli officials denied the claim.

A man pushes his cart loaded with fuel containers in Tehran, Iran. Sanctions on Iran's oil have put a serious dent in the country's economy, pushing up the inflation rate to 40 percent.

Politics

Crippled By Sanctions, Iran's Economy Key In Nuclear Deal

Uri Berliner

Iran's economy is in terrible shape. Inflation is rampant, Iran's currency — the rial — has plunged in value and oil exports have fallen dramatically. There's wide agreement that sanctions have squeezed Iran financially and increased pressure on its leaders to negotiate over the country's nuclear program.

Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud (left) with his commander Wali-ur Rehman in South Waziristan, in October 2009.

Politics

Pakistan Slams U.S. Over Drone Strike Against Taliban Chief

Eyder Peralta

The country's interior minister said the attack was aimed at derailing peace talks with the militant group. Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said the drone strike was "an attack on regional peace by America."

A U.S. Predator drone flies over Kandahar Air Field, southern Afghanistan.

Politics

Pakistan Says Drones Killed Far Fewer Civilians Than Thought

Scott Neuman

Human rights groups and Pakistani officials have condemned the number of civilian casualties in such attacks, but the country's defense ministry says just 3 percent are civilians.

Children play at the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, where more than 120,000 Syrian refugees live. Roughly two-thirds are kids, many of whom have been traumatized by the violence in their homeland.

Politics

Syria's Grinding War Takes Toll On Children

Deborah Amos

Two million Syrian children have been displaced by the war. Many have witnessed violence and experienced trauma that could have life-long consequences. One of the biggest challenges for international aid agencies is healing the invisible scars of the youngest victims.

The U.N. Security Council votes on a resolution requiring Syria to give up its chemical weapons last month in New York. Last week, Saudi Arabia turned down a chance to take a seat on the Council.

Politics

Saudi Act Of Protest Stuns U.N., And Some Observers

Michele Kelemen

The kingdom decided it will not take a two-year rotating seat on the United Nations Security Council, calling the body incapable of ending wars and resolving conflicts.