Middle East Democracy

Seven years ago, a Tunisian street vendor set himself on fire in defense of his dignity, unknowingly triggering an avalanche of public demonstrations across the Middle East. People in the region wanted what was denied to them for almost a century - a fair order, better lives and a little breathing space.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said today Tehran was ready to help bring democracy to war-torn Syria and Yemen and blamed the spread of terrorism in the Middle East on the United States.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Monday called for a "united front" to fight extremists in the Middle East where the Islamic State group controls territory in Iraq and Syria.

South Korea's parliament endorsed the appointment of Hwang Kyo-Ahn as prime minister today, whose immediate priority will be to tackle a MERS outbreak which has claimed 23 lives.

Supporters of deposed Egyptian president Mohamed Mursi prepared for confrontation on Friday, and the United States said Egypt's military had been "restoring democracy" when it drove him from office.

The Muslim Brotherhood declared early Monday that its candidate, Mohammed Morsi, won Egypt's presidential election, which would be the first victory of an Islamist as head of state in the stunning wave of protests demanding democracy that swept the Middle East the past year. But the military handed itself the lion's share power over the new preside...

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday warned Internet firms to avoid offering the "tools of oppression" to authoritarian Middle East regimes trying to crush democracy protests.

President Barack Obama imposed US sanctions on Monday on those who help Syria and Iran track dissidents through cell phones and computers, serving notice on technology providers that they could be held responsible for those governments' human rights abuses. Obama's announcement underscored how democracy activists have used social media tools in pr...

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday warned Internet firms to avoid offering the "tools of oppression" to authoritarian Middle East regimes trying to crush democracy protests.

Libyan protesters seeking to oust long-time leader Moammar Gadhafi defied a crackdown and took to the streets in five cities on Thursday on what activists have dubbed a "day of rage," amid reports at least 20 demonstrators have been killed in clashes with pro-government groups.New York-based Human Rights Watch said Libyan internal security forces a...

Without warning, hundreds of heavily armed riot police officers rushed into Pearl Square Manama early on Thursday, firing shotguns, tear gas and concussion grenades at the thousands of demonstrators who were sleeping there as part of a widening protest against the nation's absolute monarchy.At least five people died, some of them reportedly killed ...

Seven years ago, a Tunisian street vendor set himself on fire in defense of his dignity, unknowingly triggering an avalanche of public demonstrations across the Middle East. People in the region wanted what was denied to them for almost a century - a fair order, better lives and a little breathing space.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said today Tehran was ready to help bring democracy to war-torn Syria and Yemen and blamed the spread of terrorism in the Middle East on the United States.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Monday called for a "united front" to fight extremists in the Middle East where the Islamic State group controls territory in Iraq and Syria.

South Korea's parliament endorsed the appointment of Hwang Kyo-Ahn as prime minister today, whose immediate priority will be to tackle a MERS outbreak which has claimed 23 lives.

Supporters of deposed Egyptian president Mohamed Mursi prepared for confrontation on Friday, and the United States said Egypt's military had been "restoring democracy" when it drove him from office.

The Muslim Brotherhood declared early Monday that its candidate, Mohammed Morsi, won Egypt's presidential election, which would be the first victory of an Islamist as head of state in the stunning wave of protests demanding democracy that swept the Middle East the past year. But the military handed itself the lion's share power over the new preside...

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday warned Internet firms to avoid offering the "tools of oppression" to authoritarian Middle East regimes trying to crush democracy protests.

President Barack Obama imposed US sanctions on Monday on those who help Syria and Iran track dissidents through cell phones and computers, serving notice on technology providers that they could be held responsible for those governments' human rights abuses. Obama's announcement underscored how democracy activists have used social media tools in pr...

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday warned Internet firms to avoid offering the "tools of oppression" to authoritarian Middle East regimes trying to crush democracy protests.

Libyan protesters seeking to oust long-time leader Moammar Gadhafi defied a crackdown and took to the streets in five cities on Thursday on what activists have dubbed a "day of rage," amid reports at least 20 demonstrators have been killed in clashes with pro-government groups.New York-based Human Rights Watch said Libyan internal security forces a...

Without warning, hundreds of heavily armed riot police officers rushed into Pearl Square Manama early on Thursday, firing shotguns, tear gas and concussion grenades at the thousands of demonstrators who were sleeping there as part of a widening protest against the nation's absolute monarchy.At least five people died, some of them reportedly killed ...