EU anti-piracy forces launch first strike in Somalia
Attack helicopters destroyed speedboats, equipment in raid on Handulle, Somalia
Bodyguard says Iraqi VP paid him to gun down official who was ‘annoyance’
A bodyguard for Iraq’s fugitive vice-president testified Tuesday that he was paid $3,000 to assassinate a government security official in one of hundreds of death squad killings that authorities link to one of the nation’s highest-ranking Sunni leaders.
Al-Qaeda losing ground to U.S.-backed Yemeni offensive
Yemeni warplanes and troops backed by heavy artillery waged a four-front assault on al-Qaeda militants Tuesday, trying to uproot their hold in the south in an offensive Yemeni officials said was for the first time being directly guided by American troops at a nearby airbase.
Saudi intelligence used tribal connections to stop underwear bomb plot
Tipoffs from Riyadh, essential in thwarting al-Qaeda’s recent bomb plot, reveal much about Saudi security
Turkey says it won't hand over Iraq VP despite Interpol arrest warrant
Turkey has no plans to extradite Tariq al-Hashemi
U.S. to resume military training in Yemen after spate of al-Qaeda attacks
Pentagon says it will send more trainers to Yemen
Syria is on the brink of civil war, Annan tells Security Council
Special Security Council meeting hears that envoy fears human rights violations are intensifying
Red Cross: 1.5 million Syrians lack necessities
International Committee of the Red Cross says violence has deprived 1.5 million of food, shelter, sanitation
New video released of U.S. aid worker kidnapped in Pakistan last year
U.S. aid worker kidnapped in Pakistan nine months ago says in new video he will be killed unless Obama agrees to militant group’s demands
Voters line up for Syrian parliamentary election; opposition dismisses as sham
Syrians cast ballots Monday in parliamentary elections billed by the regime as key to President Bashar al-Assad's political reforms, but the opposition dismissed the vote as a sham meant to preserve his autocratic rule.
Worldview
A 1970s decision complicates peace mission for Israel's Shimon Peres
Explosive growth of West Bank settlements has become one of the greatest obstacles to peace with Palestinians
Israeli President set for warm reception from Mulcair
As Israel’s President Shimon Peres visits Ottawa this week, he will be met by support from an unusual corner – the Leader of the New Democratic Party
Victory near for Syrian rebels, Turkish PM says
Erdogan encourages refugees at camp near border on eve of parliamentary election that Damascus says is sign of reform
Israeli leader points to September election
He had been widely expected to set the vote for Sept. 4.
Israeli politics
‘We are the only country that is threatened to be destroyed’
President Shimon Peres credits uncertainty over whether Israel has nuclear weapons with saving the country. ‘We are the only country that is threatened to be destroyed and we are a country that never threatened anybody to be destroyed,' the 88-year-old peace activist tells The Globe and Mail
One year later
How Osama bin Laden’s death muddied the path to peace
A year ago, a U.S. raid killed Osama bin Laden, leaving al-Qaeda fractured and injuring a key bond between America and Pakistan.
Israel’s security chiefs and political leaders clash over Iranian strategy
Israelis are left to wonder which authorities are to be believed as they present contrasting views of the threat posed by Iran
Outlook for the Islamists, country by country
What political role do the Islamists play and what is the status of sharia law
Middle East
Last year’s Arab Spring is turning into this year’s Islamic spring
Egypt’s banning of two Muslim Brotherhood candidates from upcoming election highlights new concerns about Islam’s growing political power across the region
BUSINESS SCANDAL
Riadh Ben Aissa: Canada's most mysterious businessman
Riadh Ben Aissa is depicted as a rogue operator, acting outside his company's ethical code, even though he has long been a creature of the firm that benefited from the fruits of his ambition
Conservative Jewish movement in Israel OKs gay rabbis
The Schechter Rabbinical Seminary announced it would begin accepting gay and lesbian rabbinical students this fall
Israel honours Holocaust victims, likens Nazi genocide to Iran threat
‘Those who dismiss the Iranian threat as a whim or an exaggeration haven't learned a thing from the Holocaust,’ Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says
Russia slams NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan
NATO plans to hand over lead responsibility to the Afghan army and police by the middle of next year, then withdraw its troops by the end of 2014
Worldview
What was he thinking? Soldier’s assault leaves Israelis angry, embarrassed
Even Israeli President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the officer's act
Nuclear talks stalling tactic by Iran, Israel’s deputy foreign minister says
Danny Ayalon is urging the international community to tighten sanctions on Tehran immediately, rather than wait until July as planned
Afghan army on track for handover from U.S.-led coalition, official says
A ministry spokesman said that the Afghan Army had already reached its target number of 195,000 troops
Fans proclaim innocence, blame police at first session of Egypt soccer deaths trial
Nine senior officers, including six police generals and a colonel, are among the 73 people charged in the case
Israel never ruled out attacking Iran while talks were taking place: defence minister
Ehud Barak said a diplomatic push to reach a compromise with Iran was a waste of ‘precious time’
Syrian opposition hopes Russia will crank up pressure on Assad regime
Haytham Manna, spokesman for the Arab Commission for Human Rights, said Russia has voiced support for democratic changes in Syria
Harper warns Iran against executing Iranian-Canadian on death row
Hamid Ghassemi-Shall, arrested in 2008 while visiting his family in Iran, was later charged with espionage
Israeli officer suspended for striking pro-Palestinian activist
Incident caught on videotape part of standoff between soldiers and participants in a bike tour to highlight living conditions of Palestinian villagers in the West Bank
Opinion
Was the Arab Spring a step backward for women?
In many countries, progressive policies on issues such as marriage and divorce are associated with the old, despised regimes
Advance UN observer team on standby to enter Syria
Several countries submitted a revised draft resolution early Friday afternoon and were expecting a vote later in the day
Analysis
Syrian truce passes first test with its future still in doubt
Sharp reduction in fatalities on the ceasefire’s second day is a remarkable development that bodes well for Kofi Annan’s peace initiative
Pakistan to deport bin Laden family to Saudi Arabia, lawyer says
The three women and two children were detained by Pakistani security forces after a secret U.S. special forces raid killed Osama bin Laden
National demonstrations will put Syrian ceasefire to the test
France presents draft resolution to UN Security Council calling for deployment of observer force
UN draft calls for up to 30 unarmed Syria observers
U.S.-drafted resolution has observers monitoring compliance with fragile UN-backed ceasefire
Karzai mulls early Afghan presidential elections
Holding the vote in 2013 also could mean Mr. Karzai would step down earlier
Algeria's first president and independence leader dies at 96
Ahmed Ben Bella, a symbol of pan-Arabist ideology as well as the global anti-colonial movement, was president of Algeria from 1963 until 1965
Syria’s brutally suppressed uprising is no civil war
For the violence to slide into war, the insurgency needs support, territory and weapons
Israel-linked assassination network dismantled, Iranian media says
The report by Irna says several ‘mercenaries’ were arrested in different parts of the country
In blow to Islamists, Egypt court suspends constitutional panel
The ruling followed complaints by political groups and constitutional experts over the parliament's decision to give Islamist lawmakers half the seats on the panel
Baird lobbied hard against Palestinian bid for statehood
Canada’s Foreign Minister called his counterparts in at least eight other countries in the months preceding the highly charged UN vote, briefing notes show
38 killed after Yemeni army clashes with Islamists in south
The fighting erupted when militants launched a dawn attack on the camp in Abyan province
Militants attack gas pipeline in Egypt's Sinai
The attack was the 14th on the pipeline since last year's popular uprising that ousted Egypt's long-time leader Hosni Mubarak
U.S. Navy deploys second aircraft carrier to Persian Gulf amid rising tensions with Iran
The warships patrol the Gulf's strategic oil routes that Iran has threatened to shut down in retaliation for economic sanctions
As Sinai becomes a ‘terror zone,’ Netanyahu’s options are limited
Israel’s Prime Minister vows retaliation for a rocket attack on the Red Sea port of Eilat, but striking Egypt risks alienating one of the country’s few Arab allies
Senior Iranian lawmaker nixes idea of holding nuclear talks in Turkey
The comments by Alaeddin Boroujerdi strongly suggest a growing impasse ahead of talks between Iran and the UN Security Council members plus Germany
Arab Spring
Octogenarian Islamist cleric an unlikely revolutionary
Sheik Yusuf al-Qaradawi’s opinions are suddenly sharply relevant as people in many Arab countries grapple with how to govern themselves in the wake of revolution
Middle East
International Criminal Court tells Libya to hand over Gadhafi's son Seif al-Islam
Libyan authorities say they plan to put Seif on trial and have so far taken no action to hand him over
Israeli forces evict settlers in volatile city of Hebron
The raid comes only a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu moved to block the eviction order
Syria has begun implementing Annan peace plan, Russia says
Russia has a keen interest in seeing Kofi Annan's plan succeed, given Moscow's role as Bashar al-Assad's key ally
Worldview
Is Washington undermining Israel’s campaign against Iran?
Did the U.S. leak news of a secret Israeli-Azerbaijan pact to derail Israel’s plan?
Accused in Rwandan genocide demands trial in French
Léon Mugesera, deported to Rwanda from Canada in January, delivered incendiary speech against Tutsi 20 years ago
Egypt's Coptic Christians quit Islamist-dominated constitution drafting panel
The move fed growing fears that Islamists and the military will end up controlling the most important governmental bodies in post-revolutionary Egypt
Annan secures a Syrian 'ceasefire' – but will it be enough?
As peace envoy Kofi Annan secures a 'ceasefire' commitment, a separate decision to pay rebel fighters and provide communications assistance has many talking about a proxy war in Syria - in which outside countries help rebels against the al-Assad regime.
Palestinian family loses court fight for landmark site in East Jerusalem
The Husseini family said the Shepherd Hotel is a symbol of the Palestinian rights to their land and to East Jerusalem, and criticized the Supreme Court ruling
Russia urges al-Assad to begin withdrawing troops from Syria's cities
Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday on a visit to Armenia that Syria's opposition forces should quickly follow suit by withdrawing too
Israel’s Kadima party elects new leader as Shaul Mofaz triumphs over Tzippi Livni
More than 62 per cent of the party members who voted cast ballots for Mofaz, booting Livni from power just three years after she led the party to largest number of seats in parliament
Fewer countries use capital punishment, but executions increased: Amnesty International
Amnesty International’s report on capital punishment in 2011 show a more polarized world where fewer countries are killing, but those who did carried out more executions
Worldview
In Jordan, Syrian refugees find a home away from home
Jordanians are opening up their homes and authorities are secretly building a camp to house several thousand refugees
DOUG SAUNDERS
France's Jews trapped between neighbours and politics
To history’s long gallery of horrific images, we can add that of a helmeted man chasing a terrified seven-year-old girl in Toulouse
MICHAEL BELL
An Iraq ruled by one – or none
What clearer indictment of the neo-cons than Nouri al-Maliki’s autocracy, where the only law is the law of unintended consequences
Mideast
Gaza – where rockets rain down amid cheers
Missile launches elicit expressions of glee from both Palestinians and Israelis, despite an awareness they trigger inevitable retaliation
crisis in syria
Video of deputy minister’s defection boosts cause of Syrian rebels
Little-known official’s announcement has a big impact as footage travels the world, calling Assad regime a ‘sinking ship’
CLIFFORD ORWIN
Is Obama trying to leave Israel no choice?
Netanyahu's government faces an agonizing dilemma: Strike now, or rely on Washington later
At White House summit, Iran clouds peacemaking with Palestinians
As Benjamin Netanyahu and Barack Obama meet, there is a disconnect between what one sees as an existential threat and the other regards as a serious but manageable foreign-policy problem
Harper, Netanyahu stand side-by-side, but apart
PM careful to cool his own past heated rhetoric on Iran despite Israeli leader’s loud sabre rattling in lead-up to his Washington stop next week
TIMOTHY GARTON ASH
Far from the Tahrir dream
A year later, the military-dominated security state is trying to roll back Egypt’s revolution, and the West can only hope for a pragmatic Islamist government
Israeli PM
In Ottawa visit, Netanyahu will seek backing for strike on Iran
Request for support will force Prime Minister Stephen Harper to navigate a path between his allies in Israel and Washington
Syria
Diplomats torn over support for fractured Syrian opposition
Syrian regime overwhelms rebel positions, leaving international community stalled on best move forward
U.S. PRESSURE
Mubarak’s old guard hopes fallout from NGOs’ trial will destabilize Egypt
Investment and tourism dollars at stake if democracy activists are convicted
JOHN MUNDY
Tone down the rhetoric on Iran
Tehran’s leaders are neither irrational nor suicidal – Canada’s role is diplomatic, not confrontational
In a challenge to Israel, Hamas endorses Palestinian unity government
Reconciliation with Fatah follows the adoption of a more moderate stance and raises the stakes in any future peace process
LEWIS MacKENZIE
The road to Damascus goes through Moscow
The Western proclivity for anointing good and bad sides has been hasty as usual – instead of rattling sabres and sending toothless observer missions, we should be enlisting the Kremlin
Palestinian held by Israel ends 66-day hunger strike
Palestinians claim symbolic victory over detention
Egypt permits Iranian ships to sail through Suez
Move likely to be keenly watched by Israel
Worldview
Q&A: What happens next for the Saudi blogger awaiting trial over Prophet Mohammed tweets?
A young Saudi blogger awaits trial and possible execution for his tweets about Prophet Mohammed. A human rights monitor tells us about the looming ‘witch hunt’ against the blogger’s friends, the lawyer who will defend the blogger, and the precedent that could give Hamza Kashgari hope.
Religious conflict
Assad’s fellow Alawites in Turkey pose threat of counter-uprising
Islamic sect fears persecution from Muslim Brotherhood if Sunni-led rebellion assumes control of Syria
International relations
China shifts from spectator to player in Mideast
Beijing signals desire to wield greater influence in global issues by engaging Western pariahs Iran, Syria
RAMI KHOURI
Is Bashar al-Assad listening?
A diplomatic offensive indicates that politics, rather than fighting on the ground, will determine the outcome of what’s a low-intensity civil war
Israel and Iran: At war in the shadows
A series of what appear to be tit-for-tat attacks suggests that Middle East antagonists Iran and Israel are targeting each other’s scientists and diplomats for assassination
Then and now
Syria today and Russia in 1917: two teetering dictatorships
Not long ago, London-born Asma al-Assad was gushingly profiled in Vogue. Today, she's the female face of one of the world's most reviled regimes.Elizabeth Renzetti looks at the Syrian first lady and her husband and recalls another ill-starred couple – the last rulers of the Russian Empire
Worldview
Saudi blogger flees after death threats over Prophet Mohammed tweets: ‘I’m afraid’
A little-known Saudi blogger who caused a social media storm over his three Tweets about the Prophet Mohammed has been detained in Malaysia after death threats forced him to flee the Saudi kingdom.
As atrocities mount in Syria, international community struggles to choose course of action
Now that Russia and China have vetoed the UN Security Council resolution on Syria, Western nations have limited number of options – and all of them carry great risks
Qatar orchestrates creation of unity government in Palestine
An agreement between Fatah and Hamas that unites Palestinian factions that have fought each other for years has turned the Arab-Israeli peace process on its ear
MICHAEL BELL
After Assad's fall, a sectarian struggle
Tehran, reliant on a sympathetic Damascus in its pursuit of a Shia-dominated crescent, would be a major loser. And that's just the start of the chaos
Worldview
Was Egypt’s soccer tragedy political ‘payback’ for a group that crossed the military?
Egyptian soccer fanatics turned political actors. Who exactly are the ‘Ultras’ and why do they blame the military for the this week’s soccer tragedy?
On the Middle East, Canadians give Baird room to play his hand
Forty-eight per cent of the population supports the Harper government’s pro-Israel policy, a poll finds, countering the notion that neutrality is what Canadians want
If Israel is an ally, press them for peace, Abbas urges Canada
Put close ties to Israel to good use, Palestinian president tells John Baird and Jim Flaherty as ministers meet for talks in Ramallah
Canadian ministers take firm line with Palestinians
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and Finance Minister Jim Flaherty urge resumption of peace talks ‘without preconditions’ and insist on the acceptance of Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people
Lawrence Martin
Eisenhower, the great forgotten Republican
Everybody liked Ike, but his legacy dimmed as his ‘middle way’ faded from fashion
MIDEAST
Arab League’s new plan for Syria rejected
Both Assad regime and opposition balk at proposal to end conflict
LYSIANE GAGNON
Christian canaries in an Arab coal mine
We’ll have a clearer view of what’s in store for Egypt when the elections are finished. But what’s certain is that the horizon is darker than ever for the Coptic minority
Arab League ponders what will replace Syrian President’s crumbling regime
Bashar al-Assad’s leadership is finished, but Syrians and political observers not sure what will come next
Sports another loss for Iran women’s rights
Iranian filmmaker looks at women’s rugby team during President Mahmoud Amadinejad’s regime
BURNEY and HAMPSON
The last thing we need is another foreign policy review
Stop the navel-gazing. Ultimately, the effect of our role in the world will be determined more by what we do than what we say we should do
Hamas leader to step down just as his relative moderation most needed
Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal is stepping down just as his relative moderation is most needed
