Middle East/North Africa

The administration struggled to defend Obama's Syria policy after a key rebel leader resigned, citing a lack of Western support.

The White House's rush to move a top-level al Qaeda operative into the federal court system has essentially stonewalled efforts by U.S. intelligence agencies to gather vital information from the terror suspect, according to four senior House Republicans. 

Kerry's first visit to Afghanistan as secretary of state comes amid growing tensions between Kabul and Washington.

The House Intelligence chairman said there was "mounting evidence" Assad has already used chemical weapons.

Washington is calling on Iraq to prevent Iranian flights carrying military aid and fighters to Assad.

Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.)  wrote to express disappointment with the former senator’s lack of action on Saeed Abedini’s behalf.

President Obama played tourist on his last morning in the Middle East on Saturday, as he visited the famous archaeological attraction of Petra, Jordan.

The stop was Obama’s last during a three-day tour of the region, which has focused largely on improving ties with Israel, and its relations with nearby neighbors, the Palestinians and Turkey.

Petra is famous for its more than 2,000-year-old Treasury, a regal and stately building façade carved into the rock side of a sandstone cliff.

“This is pretty spectacular,” Obama said as he walked through the ancient monument, according to the Associated Press.

The president opened a new chapter with Israel during a three-day visit that seems to have relieved tensions.

The president said the United States is doing "everything we can to bring an end to the bloodshed" in Syria. 

The Israeli prime minister apologized for a 2010 military raid on a Gaza flotilla that killed eight Turks.