Middle East

As Iraqi security forces drive Islamic State from cities such as Mosul, commerce is kicking in, a first step toward rebuilding the economy amid vast destruction. But many challenges lie ahead.

U.S.-backed Syrian forces retook the old city of Raqqa, U.S. officials said Sunday, inching closer to fully capturing what was once the extremist group’s de facto capital used by militants to plan and stage attacks on the West.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has regularly lambasted the Israeli press, but a new disclosure related to an ongoing corruption probe shows the leader also worked hard to shape how the domestic media covers him.

In photos selected Thursday by Wall Street Journal editors, Princess Diana is remembered in London, trucks drive through flooded streets in Texas, Kyrgyzstan celebrates its independence from the Soviet Union, and more.

The U.N. nuclear-watchdog agency’s finding is likely to put it at odds with the Trump administration.

The Hezbollah militia has claimed a “great victory” in expelling Islamic State from its main stronghold in Lebanon. Now the question is how it translates this triumph of arms into lasting political gains, Yaroslav Trofimov writes.

American Airlines pilots, mechanics and flight attendants kick the tires, test the engines and make sure all seat belts actually fasten on a new Boeing 787-9.

The U.S. military said it maintains 11,000 troops in Afghanistan, 2,600 more than it has previously disclosed.

The U.S. military carried out at least one airstrike to stop hundreds of Islamic State militants evacuated from the Lebanese-Syrian border from relocating to an extremist stronghold in Syria near the border with Iraq.

A referendum on Kurdistan’s independence, set for Sept. 25, has Baghdad and Washington concerned over political consequences, and Arabs displaced in fight against Islamic State worried they won’t be allowed to go home.

In photos selected Tuesday by Wall Street Journal editors, a martin rests on the skylight of a house, floodwaters continue to rise in Houston, Muslims prepare for Eid al-Adha, and more.

Gasoline prices surged on concerns over a shortage in supply after Tropical Storm Harvey knocked out refining operations and traders tried to assess damage in the Houston area.

Confidence in Qatar’s creditworthiness took another hit as Fitch downgraded its debt, citing concerns the economic blockade imposed by Arab neighbors was unlikely to be lifted soon.

Facebook is once again in hot water for allowing objectionable videos on its website, this time drawing a rare rebuke from a United Nations agency.

Here is a timeline on major urban victories against Islamic State in Iraq, including today’s in Tal Afar.

Iraqi forces have driven Islamic State from the symbolic town of Tal Afar, the Iraqi military said Sunday, clearing one of the extremist group’s few remaining strongholds in the country.

Iraq’s military said it has driven Islamic State militants out of more than half of the northern town of Tal Afar and is in control of 90% of its center.

A search effort is under way for a missing U.S. service member after a Black Hawk helicopter crashed off Yemen’s southern coast during a training exercise.