Middle East

Pakistan Taliban end cease-fire, setting back peace prospects

Pakistani Taliban militants said they were ending a cease-fire with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's government, a blow to efforts to end more than a decade of violence in the nuclear-armed nation.
NATO gives Afghans $6M in medical supplies ahead of fighting season

With fewer Western forces on the ground to backstop Afghan troops, the U.S. and NATO are rushing medical supplies to Afghanistan’s police and army in anticipation of a violent fighting season.
Rubio: Terrorists training in Syria may strike US

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio warned Tuesday that terrorists training in ungoverned swaths of Syria could "soon" attack American interests around the world — or even on the nation's home soil.

Mideast

Afghanistan

Iraq

Israel

Saudi Arabia

Pakistan

Afghan election results sorted out behind closed doors

As the glow of a successful presidential election fades, a picture is emerging of key post-election procedures taking place in secret and independent observers being kept in the dark while votes are counted and thrown out for irregularities.
NATO gives Afghans $6M in medical supplies ahead of fighting season

With fewer Western forces on the ground to backstop Afghan troops, the U.S. and NATO are rushing medical supplies to Afghanistan’s police and army in anticipation of a violent fighting season.
Early results show a two-man race in Afghan presidential election

The two frontrunners in Afghanistan’s presidential election are locked in a tight race, though neither appears to have received the majority support needed to avoid a second round of voting, according to initial election results released Sunday by Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission.

Work in progress to upgrade facilities at Navy base in Bahrain April 11, 2014
Officials: Despite Afghan election success, insurgents remain active April 9, 2014
With votes cast in Afghanistan, next question is which ones to count April 8, 2014
US, partners hope for thaw in relations with Afghanistan April 7, 2014
Who wants to become Afghanistan's next president, anyway? April 6, 2014

Syrian opposition fighters obtain US-made anti-tank missiles

Pakistan Taliban end cease-fire, setting back peace prospects

Jordan's ambassador to Libya kidnapped

Iraq: Abu Ghraib prison closure not permanent April 16, 2014
Watchdog: Rise in targeted media killings in Syria
Afghan election results sorted out behind closed doors April 16, 2014
Syrian opposition fighters obtain US-made anti-tank missiles April 16, 2014
New Zealander, Australian killed in drone strike in Yemen April 16, 2014
Activists: Syrian airstrikes kill 4 in rebel town April 16, 2014
Israel police disperse riot at Jerusalem holy site April 16, 2014
Female Afghan lawmaker wounded in shooting attack April 16, 2014
Officials say attacks kill 8 in western Iraq April 16, 2014
Iran will not discuss missile program, official says April 16, 2014
Security Council sees grim images of Syrian dead April 15, 2014
Hamas praises deadly West Bank shooting April 15, 2014

Taliban fail to disrupt Afghan elections, but future still uncertain

The long lines outside many polling stations in Afghanistan for Saturday’s crucial presidential election not only raised hopes for the country’s future, but for many represented an embarrassing setback to the Taliban, which had vowed to disrupt the vote.
Six Air Force generals switching posts overseas

The Air Force announced a series of assignments Friday involving general officers overseas, including a swap of commanders in Hawaii and Italy.
A day of hope, as Afghans vote, but a long process ahead

On election day in this tense, war-weary capital, rolling afternoon thunder was the only boom heard in the city. Long lines at polling stations were the story on a day many feared violence would mar the vote for the country’s next president.
Afghans face election with hope and fear

As the Taliban have threatened to target polling centers, election workers and voters, Afghans are facing Saturday’s pivotal presidential election with both hope and fear.
Kids take on Marines in Nerf games in Bahrain

On many days U.S. Marines deployed to Naval Support Activity Bahrain can be seen around base honing their combat skills. However, perhaps no amount of training could have prepared them for waves of highly energetic children wielding Nerf blasters.
Ethnic divisions playing lesser role in Afghan elections April 3, 2014
Afghans largely left to monitor their own election April 3, 2014
Politics in Panjshir: Life on the Afghan campaign trail April 3, 2014
Diplomats: Despite crisis, NATO to keep working with Russia in Afghanistan April 2, 2014
Fire destroys Navy Exchange warehouse in Middle East April 2, 2014
Afghanistan presidential candidates key to fate of nation, legacy of US April 1, 2014
March fatality-free for US forces in Afghanistan April 1, 2014
1 sniper, 1 bullet, 6 Afghan insurgents dead April 1, 2014
USS Truman strike group concludes Middle East mission March 31, 2014
Another election headquarters attacked in Kabul ahead of Afghan vote March 29, 2014