Topic: Middle East
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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Focus
The Monitor's top 11 US stories of 2012
From storms to politics, the year was a wild ride. What are the most meaningful US stories of 2012? Here's the Monitor's list, in roughly chronological order.
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Iran fires at US drone: the top 3 pressing questions
Iranian military forces fired at a US Predator drone for the first time ever earlier this month, the Pentagon acknowledged this week. It’s a revelation that has raised a host of questions for the US military. Here are the top three.
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War with Iran? 5 ways events overseas could shape Obama's second term.
The threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program is the most urgent example of the foreign-policy challenges that face President Obama in his second term. Here are four others.
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How the world is reacting to Obama's reelection
From China to Iran, President Obama's reelection elicited everything from celebration to doubt about his second-term agenda. Here are 11 responses:
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5 national security issues next president must tackle
President Obama and Mitt Romney battle over foreign policy issues in the third and final presidential debate. No matter who wins the presidential election November 6, Mr. Romney or Mr. Obama will have to confront five urgent national security issues in the first weeks of his term.
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Parents of journalist missing in Syria make public plea for his release
The parents of James Foley, age 39, who was kidnapped Syria while on assignment as a videographer for Agence France-Press have had no news of their son in six weeks. In 2012, 28 journalists were killed in Syria.
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Change Agent
Former Islamist seeks to turn the tide of religious extremism in PakistanMaajid Nawaz has founded Khudi, the first social movement in Pakistan to challenge extremist religious ideas and instead promote democratic culture among youths.
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Opinion: Outrage over India gang rape shows the power of human dignity
The gang rape and death of a young woman in India has ignited outrage at sexual violence against women and girls in India and at corrupt police. Reactions to dehumanization and humiliation can spur movements for political and social change, as seen in Egypt and Tunisia.
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Energy Voices
Unconventional wisdom: 5 possible energy surprises for 2013Cobb lists potential surprises in the energy world that conventional wisdom has judged rather unlikely to happen in 2013.
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Opinion: In 2013, nothing more important than protecting hopes for democracy
The world faces serious issues in 2013, including debt and climate change. But nothing is more important to international stability and human progress than the aspirations of people upending authoritarian rule in pursuit of self-government. A look at three cases: Egypt, Myanmar, Malawi.
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Focus
Obama's pivot to Asia? Middle East will still demand attention in 2013.The popular unrest of the last two years has left the Middle East volatile as 2013 kicks off.
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General Norman Schwarzkopf, Desert Storm commander, dies at age 78
General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, who had an illustrious military career which included many high-profile commands, died Thursday of complications from pneumonia.
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Russia urges Damascus to talk with Syrian opposition
Russia, Syria's biggest international supporter, is leaning on President Bashar al-Assad to begin a dialogue with the Syrian opposition and take steps toward ending the conflict.
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The Monitor's View: Egypt's big lesson in democracy
Egypt adopted a postrevolutionary constitution this week. But the Arab nation has only begun to understand that democracy isn't only majority rule.
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Focus
In 2013, possibilities for stability from Somalia to South China SeaPolicymakers in many of the world's hot spots have a common New Year's wish: for unity to usher in and consolidate political and economic stability.
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Syrian conflict threatens to fracture Iraq
Semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan and the central Iraqi government are on a collision course as the Kurds increasingly side with the Syrian opposition and Baghdad stands by the Assad regime.
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Chuck Hagel: why his candidacy for Defense post is losing altitude
Critics of Chuck Hagel's potential candidacy have focused on remarks he made years ago about Israel, Iran, and Hamas. Some even called him anti-Semitic, a charge branded as outrageous, even by other critics.
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Terrorism & Security
UN envoy tries to revive Syria peace planThe plan from UN special envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, is unlikely to gain traction without more concessions to the Syrian opposition.
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Assad sends envoy to Moscow for talks on ending Syria's conflict
The Syrian senior diplomat is expected to discuss the UN mediator's proposals for ending the conflict. Russia, meanwhile, has signaled growing acceptance of President Assad exiting power.
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Les Miserables reviews: What makes the movie different from the stage show?
Les Miserables reviews: British director Tom Hooper says the movie provides emotion via close ups. Les Miserables made its English language debut 27 years ago.
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Can you invest in Middle East peace?
There are ways to invest in the economies of Israel and the Palestinian territories, separately – and women's progress in the Middle East, indirectly. But investing in the Middle East is not for the faint of heart.
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Energy Voices
Energy in 2013: What's next for oil, gas, renewables?Oil, natural gas, and coal will continue to dominate American energy in 2013 and beyond, but recent dramatic growth in solar and wind portends a transition to a clean energy economy.
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John Kerry as secretary of State: expect a more traditional style (+video)
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, with her late-night dancing and talks with children, was known for her 'people to people' style. John Kerry is expected to adopt a more traditional version of diplomacy.
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The best films of 2012
Monitor film critic Peter Rainer remembers some of the gems he saw over the past year and those films that weren't worth his time.
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Ban Ki-moon, UN Security Council slam Israel on settlements
The UN chief and every Security Council member other than the US, which remained silent, denounced on Wednesday Israel's plans to expand its settlements.
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Benghazi inquiry cites State Department failures (+video)
A new report faults failures within the U.S. State Department for the September attack in Benghazi which left four dead including Ambassador Chris Stevens. These failures may taint Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's record.
- Focus
The Monitor's top 11 US stories of 2012
From storms to politics, the year was a wild ride. What are the most meaningful US stories of 2012? Here's the Monitor's list, in roughly chronological order.
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Egypt's referendum a vote on Morsi as well as the constitution (+video)
As Egyptians vote today in a referendum on a controversial draft constitution, the debate is dominated by President Mohamed Morsi's actions, not the document.
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Cyberattacks on US banks resume, aiming to block their websites
The latest cyberattack mirrors one in early fall that targeted websites of major US banks. Security experts say the attacks appear to be the handiwork of a group tied to Hamas, which the US lists as a terrorist organization.
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West Bank welcomes Hamas back with excitement - and apprehension
Still riding a wave of popularity after the Gaza war, Hamas held celebratory rallies throughout the West Bank. But worries about a return to the chaos and violence of the intifada are bubbling up.
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