( The New Arab )- US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis made a surprise visit to Kabul on Monday, as Afghanistan reels from a Taliban massacre of troops that sent shockwaves through the country.  Mattis' first visit to Afghanistan as Pentagon chief will see him meet ministers and President...

Militants in Iraq ambushed a convoy of off-duty soldiers near a town in the country's sprawling western desert, killing at least 10 and wounding 20, officials said on Monday. Iraqi Maj. Emad al-Dulaimi said the attack took place the night before near the town of Rutba. The militants were...

( The Guardian )- Saudi Arabia reinstated financial allowances for civil servants and military personnel on Saturday after better-than-expected budget figures, ending unpopular cuts to a key perk triggered by low oil prices and cheering the stock market. King Salman issued a royal decree...

Al-Qaeda's leader has urged his followers and all militants in Syria to unite ranks and prepare for protracted war. Ayman al-Zawahri told the extremists to remain steadfast and change tactics to a guerrilla war. His remarks came in an audio message released on Monday by al-Qaeda's media arm...