Hourslong clashes between police, protesters engulf Beirut
The violence around the epicenter of the protest in Beirut was some of the worst since the demonstrations began two months ago.
Middle East
No Christmas tinsel in Iraq, in solidarity with protesters
Leaders of Iraq's Christians unanimously cancel Christmas-related celebrations in solidarity with the protest movement – but the aims of their stance go deeper than tinsel and fairy lights.
Iran to unveil new generation of enrichment centrifuges soon
In neighboring Iraq, meanwhile, pro-Iran Shiite militiamen reportedly gun down anti-government protesters in Baghdad's central plaza, leaving at least 25 people dead and more than 130 wounded.
'US pushing Arab states to reach nonbelligerence pacts with Israel'
To that end, ambassadors of the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Oman and Bahrain met with Victoria Coates, deputy national security adviser for the Middle East and North Africa.
Pentagon: Signs suggest Iran may be preparing attack in the region
According to Pentagon official, US military has noticed "indications" of Iranian aggression getting underway, without a specific timeline.
Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander blames riots on 'dirty goals of Great Satan and Zionists'
Iran concedes for the first time that protesters have been shot dead over the past two weeks by security forces.
Trump administration releases Lebanon military aid
The $105 million in aid is intended to help counter Iran's influence in Lebanon, which is highlighted by the presence of the Iranian-backed Shiite Hezbollah terrorist group in the government.
'Why did you do that to me?,' Yazidi woman tells ISIS rapist
The victim, Ashwaq Hajji Hameed, appears on Iraqi television and demands her attacker Abu Humam look her in the eye.
Iraq protesters burn shrine entrance in holy city, say PM quitting 'not enough'
The unrest, which has killed more than 400 people, mostly demonstrators, amounts to the biggest challenge for Iraq since Islamic State terrorists seized vast swathes of Iraqi and Syrian territory in 2014.
Fears of violence grow as Lebanese crisis deepens
The crisis sweeping Lebanon has taken a violent turn prompting warnings of bloodshed and revived memories of the 1975-1990 civil war.