3:32pm

Damascus car bomb kills at least 35

Vehicles burn after an explosion at central Damascus February 21, 2013, ©Reuters

Blast near ruling Ba’ath party offices and further explosions reported

2:27pm

Israel grants Golan exploration licence

Approval for US group Genie likely to stir diplomatic tensions

From UK 11:23pm

Britons allege torture after arrest in Dubai

Three arrested on drugs charges seven months ago say they were ill-treated

ECB ©Bloomberg From IRAN 7:24pm

ECB faces US pressure over Iran

Congress targets cross-border bank payments

Global Insight 6:50pm

West lacks will to arm Syrian rebels

Country risks dissolving into a patchwork of armed gangs

An Egyptian protester prepares to throw back a tear gas canister fired by riot policemen during clashes near Cairo's Tahrir Square ©AFP Feb 20, 2013

Egyptian opposition seeks a game plan

Liberal, leftist and secular opponents stuck without a strategy

Feb 19, 2013

Livni to join Israeli government

Hatnua party is first to sign coalition agreement with Likud Beitenu

Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali speaks during a press conference ©AFP Feb 19, 2013

Tunisia’s PM quits amid party wrangling

Jebali resigns after his failed plan to unite country

Feb 19, 2013

Gulf states buying up military hardware

Deals could underpin a future regional missile defence shield

Feb 18, 2013

Factories closed by Egyptian unrest

Port Said protesters seek probe into killings

Feb 18, 2013

Death verdict seen as warning Iran leader

Sentences come amid worsening power struggle

From GULF Feb 18, 2013

Bahrain needs urgent political settlement

Clashes put strain on talks between opposition and government

Feb 18, 2013

Saudis lead healthcare spending spree

States channelling resources into sector as demand set to double

Feb 17, 2013

Brahimi backs Syria opposition call for talks

UN mediator says offer opens door to dialogue

Feb 17, 2013

Tunisia pro-uprising group fuels concern

League for the Protection of the Revolution has high profile

Edward Luce Edward Luce from COMMENT Feb 17, 2013

Obama is right to resist the Syria hawks

The president’s lack of diplomatic creativity, rather than his sense of caution, is his real Achilles heel

Feb 17, 2013

Egypt arms rank and file police

Concerns over risk of brutality by police officers

Global Insight Feb 17, 2013

Pressure builds in Iran nuclear stand-off

Diplomatic dance cannot go on for ever. Something has to give

Feb 15, 2013

Battle for Aleppo reaches new intensity

Clashes concentrated near international airport

Feb 15, 2013

Prisoner X sparks Israel liberties debate

Alleged spy’s death raises issues of censorship and security

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