Tensions Build in Syria Between New Leaders and Kurdish-Led Militia

A showdown is gathering pace in Syria as the country’s new leaders demand that a powerful Kurdish-led militia backed by the United States disarm and integrate into a unified national military force. The tensions are centered around preparations to establish a caretaker government to replace the dictatorship that fell in early December. The new leaders … Read more

Tensions Mount in Lebanon as Deadline Nears for Israeli Withdrawal

A U.S. official overseeing the cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah indicated on Friday that Israel would by next week withdraw from occupied towns in southern Lebanon. But his comments added to the uncertainty over whether Israel would remain in a handful of strategic points within Lebanese territory. In a statement released by U.S. Central Command, … Read more

A Closer Look at the 3 Hostages Freed by Hamas

Hamas freed three more Israeli hostages on Saturday in a ceremony marked by some of the same provocative theatrics used by the Palestinian militants in previous releases. It was the sixth round of a tense series of hostage-for-prisoner exchanges that are part of a 42-day cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas, which went into effect … Read more

Love Letters – The New York Times

A friend told me he recently removed the email app from his phone. “I used to love in the old days, coming home and checking email — there would be new messages!” he rhapsodized. I felt the pang. Not only would there be new messages, but often, in those early days of email, they were … Read more