Middle East

Conflict in Basra Spreads to Campus

Students linked to rival Shia parties and militias are throwing their weight around at the University of Basra.

Basra Struggles to Cope With Student Demand

As children begin returning to the classroom, the school infrastructure is in dire need of repair.

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.