RFE/RL

Three Soldiers Injured As Syrian Air Defenses Intercept Israeli Missiles

Gunmen Kill Pakistani Politician In Karachi

Unidentified gunmen opened fire on a Pakistani politician outside his home in the southern port city of Karachi on the evening of December 25, before fleeing the scene, police said.

Militants Attack Foreign Ministry In Libya

Militants have attacked the Foreign Ministry of Libya in Tripoli, killing three and injuring around 20.

Islamic State Claims Responsiblity For Iraq Car-Bomb Attack

The Islamic State (IS) extremist group has claimed responsibility for a car bombing in the Iraqi city of Tal Afar that left two people dead.

British-Iranian Academic Returns To London After Detention In Tehran

Pakistani Foreign Minister Holds 'Productive' Talks With Afghan Leaders Over Peace Process

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said he had “productive meetings” with Afghan leaders in Kabul, including over the peace process with the Taliban.

Pope Calls For Peace In Syria, Yemen In Christmas Message

Pope Francis used his Christmas message on December 25 to urge the world to put aside "partisan interests" to find a political solution to conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and other flash points.

Dozens Killed, Injured In Militant Raid On Kabul Government Compound

Afghan officials say at least 43 people were killed after militants stormed government offices in the eastern part of the capital Kabul, triggering an hours-long gun battle.

Hundreds Dead As Indonesian Rescue Workers Search For Tsunami Survivors

Rescue workers in Indonesia searched for survivors of a tsunami likely triggered by a volcano as the death toll in the December 22 disaster rose to 373 people.

India Takes Over Iran's Strategic Chabahar Port

India has formally taken over operations of Iran's strategic Chabahar Port, a move that could have significant geopolitical ramifications in the region.

Russian Investigators Determined Two Men Were Shot In The Head At Chechen 'Prison For Gays'

According to documents from Russia's Investigative Committee obtained by the independent Novaya Gazeta newspaper, two Chechen men who were killed in 2017 in a Chechen "prison for gays" were shot in the head at close range.

Russia Repeats Claim That Ukraine Is Preparing A 'Provocation'

Russia's Foreign Ministry has said "it is quite possible" that Ukraine "might switch to full-scale combat actions within the next few days."

Security Forces Continue To Battle Militants At Kabul Government Compound

Security forces in the Afghan capital, Kabul, continue to battle with militants who earlier in the day stormed a government compound.

Turkey Boosts Military Presence In Syria As Erdogan, Trump Discuss U.S. Pullout

Turkey has begun bolstering its military presence on both sides of its border with Syria, just days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced he would withdraw all 2,000 U.S. troops currently based in Syria.

Lawyer Says Iranian Activist Khandan Released, Support Hunger Strikes Ended

Iranian activist Reza Khandan, the husband of imprisoned human-rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, has been released from custody in Iran, his lawyer said in a post on Facebook on December 23.

Trump Names New Acting Defense Secretary As Of January 1

Bulgarian Military Urges Government Talks With U.S. For F-16 Jet Deal

Bulgaria's Defense Ministry has asked the government to begin direct talks with the United States about purchasing F-16 fighter jets to replace its aging Soviet-designed MiG-29 warplanes.

Russian Fighter Jets Moved To Annexed Ukrainian Region

More than a dozen advanced Russian fighter jets have arrived at a base in the Ukrainian region of Crimea, which Moscow occupied and annexed in 2014.

U.S. Envoy To Anti-IS Coalition Resignd To Protest Syria Pullout

The U.S. envoy to the international coalition fighting the Islamic State (IS) extremist group has resigned to protest President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria, AP reports.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards Launch War Games In Persian Gulf

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has launched war games in the Persian Gulf, a day after a U.S. aircraft carrier entered the waterway amid rising tensions between Tehran and Washington.