Central Asia

Uighur leaders to al-Qaeda: No, thanks

Uighur exile leaders were quick to disavow an article in al-Qaeda's media service portraying harsh oppression of Muslims in "East Turkistan," or Xinjiang.

Greater Middle East

Saudi Arabia sentences Shi’ite cleric to death

Sh'iite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr was convicted of sedition and other charges in Saudi Arabia and sentenced to death—posing greater sectarian tensions in the Gulf states.

South Asia

Pakistan court upholds death for blasphemy

Pakistan's Lahore High Court upheld the death sentence for Asia Bibi, a Christian woman convicted of "blasphemy" in a case emerging from an argument among farm workers.

North Africa

Libya: Sufis under attack —again

With Islamist-led militia in nearly complete control of the Libyan capital, the historic Othman Pasha Madrassa in Tripoli's Old City was vandalized by a crowd of gunmen.

Iraq

ISIS blows up birthplace of Saladin

ISIS militants destroyed the Citadel of Tikrit, birthplace of Saladin and one of Iraq's most important archeological sites. The jihadists meanwhile seized several Syrian towns.

Iraq

ISIS: will US intervention fuel sectarian war?

If Washington is perceived as leading an alliance that includes Iran and Hezbollah, this will augment the propaganda assistance loaned to ISIS with every US missile that falls.

North Africa

Libyan Dawn rebels in control of Tripoli

With chaotic warfare spreading throughout the country, the Islamist-led Libyan Dawn rebel alliance is in effective control of the capital—with the support of Libya's grand mufti.

Greater Middle East

ISIS eyes Mecca, pledges to destroy Kaaba

Saudi Arabia carried out a sweep of suspected terrorists as ISIS threatened to take Mecca and destroy the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site, calling it a bastion of idolatry.

Greater Middle East

Lebanon: punishment for burning ISIS flag?

Lebanon's Minister of Justice called for the "sternest punishments" for protesters in Beirut who burned the flag of the militant groups ISIS and the Nusra Front.