( ESPN )- ON A COOL February afternoon, one of Syria's greatest soccer players sits outside a mall on the Persian Gulf, paralyzed by a decision that he fears could kill him. For five years, Firas al-Khatib has boycotted the Syrian national team to protest dictator Bashar al-Assad, who...

Rafael Nadal snapped a seven-match losing streak against Novak Djokovic in commanding fashion as he romped into the final of the Madrid Masters 6-2, 6-4 on Saturday. The Spaniard looks in ominous form with just over two weeks to go till the start of the French Open as he stretched his...

Iran's presidential election may turn on turnout. Historically, the more Iranians who cast ballots, the greater the chance a reformist or a moderate like incumbent President Hassan Rouhani will be elected. However, Rouhani's bid for another four-year term comes amid apathy and grumbling from...

Saudi authorities blocked roads in a flashpoint Shiite town Saturday, residents said a day after security officials reported that gunmen killed a two-year-old boy and a Pakistani man. The gunfire targeted a redevelopment site in a neighborhood of the town of Awamiya, the interior ministry...