Middle East
Ibrahim Shomali, a Palestinian priest, offers Communion under the olive trees of the Cremisan Valley in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. This is part of a regular protest against Israeli plans to build a section of its West Bank barrier here, which would separate Palestinians from their agricultural lands.
A Decade In The Making, West Bank Barrier Is Nearly Complete
()Despite much international criticism, Israel has continued building its West Bank barrier. It's now nearing completion, while the Israelis and Palestinians continue to argue over whether it will help or hurt prospects for a Middle East peace agreement.
The Two-Way
Syrian Troops Target Key Rebel-Held Town()
May 19, 2013 Qusair is a strategically important town that lies between Homs, where the Syrian uprising began two years ago, and the Lebanese border. If President Bashar Assad's troops – reportedly backed by Hezbollah fighters — regain the town, they would control an important route from the coast to the capital, Damascus.
The Two-Way
Bashar Assad: A Political Solution In Syria Is 'Unreal' ()
May 18, 2013 The Syrian president also left no room for his departure. "The captain of a ship doesn't flee when faced with a storm," he said during an interview with an Argentine newspaper.
Parallels
Young Gazan Men Get Unwanted Haircuts, Courtesy Of Police()
May 17, 2013 The Islamic group Hamas runs the Gaza Strip and controls the police force. A number of young men say police plucked them from the street and shaved their heads recently, apparently because the officers didn't approve of their hairstyles.
The Two-Way
Reports: Russia Sends More Missiles, Has Ships Near Syria()
May 17, 2013 Efforts to stop the war between the Assad regime and those trying to topple it could be set back again by Russia's actions, U.S. lawmakers say.



