Greater Middle East

Syria: first Alawite protest against regime

Members of Syria's Alawite sect took to the streets of Homs to protest a deadly car bomb attack on an elementary school, for the first time taking up anti-regime slogans.

Iraq

Turkey prepares military action in Syria

The Turkish government submitted a motion to parliament to expand authorization for military action in Syria. Over 160,000 refugees have fled ISIS into Turkey in recent weeks.

hongkongny2

New Yorkers support Hong Kong

On Oct. 1, China's National Day, several hundred New Yorkers—overwhelmingly of Chinese descent, and many from Hong Kong—gathered in Times Square to support the Occupy Central movement. Attendees carried umbrellas in solidarity with the Hong Kong protesters, who have used… Read moreNew Yorkers support Hong Kong

Inner Asia

Aral Sea almost gone: NASA

Satellite photos released by NASA reveal  that the eastern basin of the Aral Sea has completely dried up. Water levels are less than 10% of what they were 50 years ago.

Iraq

ISIS advances on Kobani —and Baghdad

Turkish troops opened fire on Kurdish refugees attempting to flee the tightening ISIS siege of Kobani in northern Syria, as ISIS forces advanced within 40 kilometers of Baghdad.

Iran

Kurdish guerillas kill Iranian army commander

Guerillas affiliated with the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) clashed with Iranian military forces near the Iraq border, leaving a senior army commander dead.

Iraq

Syria: first US air-strikes on ISIS at Kobani

The US-led coalition launched its first air-strikes targeting ISIS positions outside the besieged Kurdish town of Kobani, where PKK fighters are holding out against the jihadists.