Mustafa Alani

Hamas slaying in Dubai ripples worldwide

Dubai drama: Hamas slaying a global spectacle of claims, spies and videotape. If there's a signature moment in the plot to kill Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, it's likely his short elevator ride from the hotel lobby to Room 230.
 

Iraq vows tough punishment for campaign vandals

In tense pre-election Iraq, vandalized campaign posters become a flash point. With tempers high ahead of Iraq's national elections next month, even tearing down a campaign poster is a flash point between Sunnis and Shiites.
 

Afghan leader cancels meeting with Muslim body

RIYADH (Reuters) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai canceled a meeting on Wednesday with a major Muslim group in Saudi Arabia that had been aimed at helping reconciliation efforts with the Taliban.
 

Iran's opposition steers challenge toward the top

Iran's reform protesters shift target beyond president to top leadership. Just minutes before anti-riot police charged opposition marchers in Tehran last week, a new chant bubbled up from the crowd: "Death to Nobody."
 

ElBaradei asks Iran for quick response on nukes

ElBaradei urges Iran to respond quickly to proposal over uranium enrichment. The head of the U.N. nuclear agency urged Iran on Monday to clarify its response amid mixed signals over a U.S.-backed proposal that would have Tehran ship most of its nuclear material abroad for processing.
 

Analysis: Iran in no hurry to cut nuclear deal

Analysis: Iran, in no hurry for deal, claims power in nuclear talks as West grows weary. If Western leaders were still puzzling over Iran's approach to nuclear talks, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad offered a timely tutorial.
 

Analysis: Iran in no hurry to cut nuclear deal

Analysis: Iran, in no hurry for deal, claims power in nuclear talks as West grows weary. If Western leaders were still puzzling over Iran's approach to nuclear talks, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad offered a timely tutorial.
 

Iran bombing kills 5 Revolutionary Guard leaders

Suicide bomber in Iran kills 5 top Revolutionary Guard commanders near Pakistani border. A suicide bomber killed five senior commanders of the powerful Revolutionary Guard and at least 37 others Sunday near the Pakistani border in the heartland of a potentially escalating Sunni insurgency.
 

Analysis: Taliban code seen as bid to spruce image

Analysis: Taliban code seen as bid to spruce image as a legitimate resistance group. A Taliban code of conduct that pledges to limit attacks on civilians and curb suicide bombings appears aimed at mustering support among the Afghan people and refurbishing the militants' international image ahead of peace talks widely expected after next month's presidential elections.
 

Arabs largely silent on Iran election and unrest

Despite the high stakes, Arabs largely silent on Iranian election and unrest. Key Arab nations have kept silent about Iran's political upheaval, possibly reluctant to antagonize the powerful nation that sponsors such militant groups as Hezbollah and Hamas.
 

Saudis gleeful at Lebanon vote, now look to Iran

RIYADH/DUBAI (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia, which has led Arab attempts to hold back Iranian influence in the Middle East, has reacted triumphantly to the victory of its pro-U.S. allies in Lebanon's elections this week.
 

Bahrain's Shiites push for rights

Bahrain Shiites demands for equality mired in Mideast cold war between Sunnis and Iran. It seemed like a moment of reconciliation in this Gulf island nation's bitter sectarian divide, when Sunni Muslim rulers suddenly released a group of jailed Shiite activists. Shiites, who days before had been burning tires in protests, cheered in the streets.
 

Iraqi Shiites battered but not battling back

Iraq's Shiites ravaged by blasts but hold back on retaliation. The anger in Baghdad's main Shiite district was raw and restless after twin car bombings took more than 50 lives earlier this week. But the true measure of the rage ? in Iraqi terms ? came the following morning: Morgues and streets were not full of Sunnis killed in payback violence.