Topic: King Abdullah
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Photos of the Day: Photos of the day 02/23
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In Pictures: The kings and queens of modern monarchies
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In Pictures: Where has Bill Clinton been?
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WikiLeaks: Five more of the strangest stories to emerge
The WikiLeaks keep dripping out. Here are five more of the oddest stories that we've spotted so far.
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WikiLeaks: The five strangest stories...so far
The release of US diplomatic cables by WikiLeaks contains some serious stuff. Other cables are not so earth-shaking, but they nonetheless reveal personalities and events that are comical, surprising, or just plain weird. Here's our top five.
All Content
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Progress Watch
In Saudi Arabia, a quiet tide of reform
Declining the revolutionary model that Egypt established in overthrowing Mubarak, Saudi reformers are working for a shift in mind-sets as well as policies – and making headway.
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Backchannels
Reform and rumblings in Jordan
The Hashemite Kingdom has weathered the past year of regional political upheaval surprisingly well. But the resignation of the prime minister is a reminder of unmet demands for change.
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Cover Story
What would happen if Iran had the bomb? (+video)
Even as Tehran signals an interest in nuclear talks, many experts have already envisioned what the world would look like if the country got nuclear weapons. It wouldn't be as dire as many fear, but it would unleash new uncertainties - and perhaps a regional arms race.
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After Egypt, Tunisia, Libya overthrows, Arab upheaval begins to settle
Egypt quietly moves into another phase of voting, while the monarchs in Morocco and Jordan have stabilized their rule through reforms.
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As Israeli-Palestinian talks sink, fringe ideas gain traction
As time passes and a two-state solution looks less feasible, Israelis and Palestinians are more seriously considering ideas like a binational state.
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Yemen's President Saleh agrees to step down
The Saudi-backed agreement requires Saleh to step down within 30 days, potentially signaling an end to the antigovernment protests that have pushed Yemen to the brink of civil war.
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Terrorism & Security
Critical mass: Assad losing his iron grip after eight months of Syria protests
Today's Arab League vote to suspend Syria's membership – coupled with military assaults by defected soldiers – signal that President Assad may now be facing a critical mass of opposition.
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Freedom may be messy, but it beats despotism
The Arab Spring toppled dictators in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. Yemen and Syria may be next. Though trials remain, we are witnessing an extraordinary fight for freedom. What emerges may not be the kind of democracy Westerners want, but it beats tyranny.
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Saudi crown prince dies, leaving succession uncertain
The younger brother of King Abdullah was in his 80s, and there is no formal method to name a replacement from the sprawling royal family.
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Saudi Arabia refrains from fingering Iran in alleged assassination plot
The US continues to ratchet up pressure on Iran over an alleged assassination plot against the Saudi ambassador to the US. But Saudi Arabia Wednesday said it was working to determine who was responsible.
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How will US retaliate against Iran for alleged assassination plot?
Military reprisal is justified, some analysts say. But initially the US is likely to take a diplomatic course, trying to further isolate Iran after its alleged role in an assassination plot on US soil.
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Assassination plot? Why Iran and Saudi Arabia are such bitter rivals
US authorities linked Iran to a plot to kill the Saudi ambassador to the US. Few contests have defined the modern Middle East like that between Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
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Global News Blog
Saudi woman sentenced to lashes days after women win right to vote
A Saudi woman has been sentenced to 10 lashes for driving, just days after King Abdullah granted women the right to vote and run for municipal office. A quick look at Saudi Arabia's human rights record.
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Women's voting rights in Saudi Arabia: a blow to medieval brands of Islam
The Saudi king's decree allowing women to vote in local elections shows the influence of the Arab Spring – and decline of a radical, repressive version of Islam.
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Terrorism & Security
US, UN poised for diplomatic assault on Syria's Assad
The US is expected to call for Bashar al-Assad to step down and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon will push for International Criminal Court action against the Syrian president.
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Should Obama call for Syria's Assad to go? And would it matter?
As the White House presses Syria to halt it's brutal repression of dissent, it is considering calling for Assad to step down. While it is not clear how effective that would be, Obama may have little choice.
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Syria defiant despite increased regional pressure
Turkey's foreign minister pushed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad today to end the violence. But Syria, which launched more assaults today, has rarely yielded to such pressure in the past.
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Terrorism & Security
Saudis condemn Syrian violence after bloody first week of Ramadan
Saudi Arabia and several Arab blocs broke their long silence on the uprisings sweeping the Middle East, condemning Syria's brutal crackdown that has killed more than 300 in the past week alone.
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Even in Egypt, Arab Spring not yet secured
Egypt may have swept aside Mubarak in the Arab Spring, but the real fight lies ahead.
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Braving police, Saudi women drivers take to streets
Dozens of Saudi Arabian women defied the Kingdom's ban against women behind the wheel today. Have they struck a blow for equal rights?
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Backchannels
The House of Saud strikes back
Saudi Arabia isn't taking this whole democracy thing lying down. It's putting down uprisings, beefing up alliances with fellow autocrats, and distancing itself from the US.
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Backchannels
Saudi woman drives, goes to jail
Remember Obama's speech stressing women's rights in the Middle East last week? That's all right. Saudi Arabia doesn't remember either.
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Sen. Mitchell steps down as Middle East envoy. Was it a 'mission impossible'?
The White House says Obama, who lauded Sen. Mitchell as a 'tireless advocate for peace,' remains committed to addressing the issue. He meets with the Jordanian and Israeli leaders next week.
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Osama bin Laden's death is a victory – for the 21st century
Osama bin Laden saw a clash of civilizations: Muslims vs. non-Muslims. He was wrong. This is a battle between the civilizations of the 7th century and the 21st century. And Bin Laden's death is a victory for all of us who choose to live in the modern world.
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The Daily Reckoning
High oil prices are here to stay
Global politics, a weak US dollar, and the price of gold are among the factors contributing to high oil prices
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