Middle East

Comment: Conflict Foils Change in Schools and Universities

Extraordinary difficulties – and a few glimmers of hope – in Iraq's schools and universities.

Mud Schools in Forgotten Land

Enterprising tribesmen, fed up with officials’ failure to address their education needs, build their own makeshift schools.

Minorities Lose Out in Classroom

Central authorities accused of failing to support non-Arabic language education in northern town.

Comment: Iraqi Kurdistan's Universities Need Reform

Equality and democracy in higher education must be practiced, not preached.

Young People Increasingly Drawn to Islam

Moderate clerics say heavy-handed authorities fail to distinguish between ordinary mosque-goers and extremists.

Images of Religion in Azerbaijan

Mosul Christian Community Dwindles

Many go abroad to escape the threat of violence, while others seek refuge in the countryside around Mosul.

Iraqi Kurdistan Faces Trouble on Two Fronts

The Turkish army makes war-like noises and Sunni extremists stage hit-and-run raids along the border with Iran.

Kirkuk Tensions Rise as Fateful Ballot Nears

Looming referendum to decide Kirkuk’s future fuels sectarian violence in this mixed city.

Unholy War in Karbala

A self-made ayatollah with his own army exemplifies the fragmented politics of the main Shia towns - and the inability of government to rein such figures in.