Forces Defeat Rebels at Qara, Retake Damascus-Homs Highway
Bashar Assad’s regime restores a critical line of communication to supply its operations in the north.
Asia
Vested Interests Could Stymie China’s Economic Reforms
Local party barons and powerful state enterprises could resist reforms by China’s leaders.
Trying to Find a Rhyme: The Middle East’s New Age
It is tempting to compare the upheavals in the Middle East to previous revolutions, but history does not simply repeat itself.
Kerry Tries to Rescue Stalled Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks
America’s secretary of state is doing his utmost to ensure that the negotiating process continues.
Saudi Nuclear Weapons “Sitting Ready for Delivery” in Pakistan
The oil kingdom might acquire nuclear weapons before its nemesis Iran does — from its old friend Pakistan.
United States Ambivalent as Iraqi Kurds Move to Independence
While Iraq’s Arabs battle for control of the central government, the Kurds are quietly prospering.
Maliki Can Learn Counterinsurgency Lessons from Americans
The Iraqi leader has to reach out to his opponents.
Russia Agrees to Deliver Missile System: Iran
Iran’s air force chief says Russia has agreed to deliver missiles they previously canceled.
Kerry’s Surprise Visit to Afghanistan Yields Draft Agreement
A tentative agreement would allow American troops to remain in Afghanistan beyond 2014.
American-Saudi Alliance Likely to Survive Upheaval
The two countries have their disagreements, but the American-Saudi partnership remains strong at heart.
What Iran’s New Drone Aircraft Mean for Israel
Iran’s new unmanned aerial vehicles go a long way to strengthen its capabilities — and could be used against Israel.
Tajikistan’s Islamists Back Secular Candidate to Send Message
Opposition Islamists support a secular presidential candidate to improve their image.
American-Iranian Détente Could Benefit Both, Alarm Arabs
The United States could benefit from responding favorably to Iran’s overtures even if their Arab allies will have doubts.
Syrian Regime Admits War at Stalemate, Suggests Ceasefire
Syria’s government recognizes that it cannot win the war but neither, it says, will the opposition.
Syrian Rebels Seek to Cuff Off Regime Access to Aleppo, Homs
A rebel offensive north of the capital Damascus threatens the regime’s ability to supply operations in the north.