LA Times News

LA Times News

Middle East shifts may weaken Iran's influence with Palestinians

Posted: 22 Nov 2012 07:29 PM PST

Iran, which has for years supplied Hamas with weapons, is up against the new Egypt for the militant group's loyalty. Changes in Syria could also weaken Iran.

CAIRO — Iran for years has supplied Hamas with weapons as part of its own struggle against Israel, but the conflict in the Gaza Strip reveals a shift in regional dynamics that may diminish Tehran's influence with Palestinian militant groups and strengthen the hand of Egypt.

Egypt President Mohamed Morsi expands authority in power grab

Posted: 22 Nov 2012 07:28 PM PST

The Islamist president's move, which infuriated civil rights leaders, weakens Egyptian courts and frees Morsi from judicial oversight.

CAIRO — Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi expanded his authority Thursday in a startling power grab that weakens the courts and frees him from judicial oversight amid deepening political intrigue in the Arab world's most populous nation.

Israelis begin to recover from a week of conflict

Posted: 22 Nov 2012 07:27 PM PST

Israelis start cleaning up, rebuilding and getting their lives back in order after news sunk in that a cease-fire with Hamas had ended an eight-day conflict.

KIRYAT MALACHI, Israel — As the news sunk in Thursday that a cease-fire had ended an eight-day crisis that saw about 1,500 rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, Israelis began cleaning up, rebuilding and getting their lives back in some semblance of order.

Israel-Hamas talks leave future of Gaza blockade cloudy

Posted: 22 Nov 2012 07:26 PM PST

Gaza residents and smugglers are left to ponder vague promises to discuss easing restrictions on the movement of goods and people at a later date.

RAFAH, Gaza Strip — Seated on a muddy hill, Sulieman Masri glumly scanned the giant crater that was once a smuggling tunnel used to support his family.

Pakistan military adversary recounts violent backlash

Posted: 21 Nov 2012 10:56 PM PST

The lawyer who takes on the powerful military says he has been beaten and his car burned. Despite risks, he says he'll keep fighting because no one else will.

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan — Inam ul Rahiem has made himself a nettlesome adversary of Pakistan's powerful military. The lawyer and retired army colonel has represented families who claim their loved ones have been secretly abducted by security forces. More recently, he has taken on Gen. Ashfaq Kayani with a legal claim that the army chief must step down because he has reached retirement age.