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Middle Eastern History ‑ Stories

The Middle East is a large and diverse region composed of several countries and cultures in north Africa and western Asia. Its complex history includes the Persian Gulf War, the Iran Hostage Crisis, the Yom Kippur War, Zionism and more.

When Did Humans Start Drinking Alcohol?

Evidence suggests that people were drinking beer as far back as 13,000 years ago, while distilled liquor arrived much later.

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How Golda Meir Rose to Become the ‘Iron Lady’ of Israel

Meir earned the title, in part, because of her steely leadership during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

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How Coffee Fueled Revolutions—And Revolutionary Ideas

How Coffee Fueled Revolutions—and Revolutionary Ideas

From the Ottoman Empire to the American and French Revolutions, coffeehouses have offered a place for (sober) people to discuss new waves of thought.

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Six Reasons Why the Ottoman Empire Fell

The Ottoman Empire was once among the biggest military and economic powers in the world. So what happened?

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How Jimmy Carter Brokered a Hard‑Won Peace Deal Between Israel and Egypt

The 1978 Camp David Accords secured a lasting peace between two longtime enemies in the Middle East.

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Suddam Spider Hole

The Surprising Interrogations That Led to Saddam Hussein’s Capture

The key to the Iraq War’s biggest triumph wasn’t firepower or technology or ‘enhanced’ interrogation. It was more personal than that.

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The Tense History of U.S.-Iran Sanctions

U.S.‑Iran Tensions: From Political Coup to Hostage Crisis to Drone Strikes

A look back at America’s long‑simmering conflict with Iran.

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A member of the White Helmets, looks at a destroyed building following a reported air strike on the rebel-held town of Douma, on the eastern outskirts of the capital Damascus, on October 5, 2016. (Credit: SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP/Getty Images)

Who Are the White Helmets?

After air strikes and chemical attacks in Syria, this unarmed, neutral group of 3,000‑plus civilians digs for survivors, evacuates the injured and buries the dead.

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Why Jews and Muslims Both Have Religious Claims on Jerusalem

The United States has recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital since December 2017—despite a dueling claim from Palestine.

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Knights Templar Hot Spots in the Holy Land

Where they built, fought and prayed.

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A member of the White Helmets with a white pigeon. (Credit: Amer Almohibany/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Meet the Top Contenders for the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize

They’re working to make the Middle East a safer place.

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War Camel

Ottoman “War Camel” Skeleton Found in Austrian Basement

Archaeologists have determined that animal bones found in an Austrian cellar are the remains of a 17th century Ottoman “war camel.”

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