The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, received a courtesy phone call from President-elect Barack Obama, who said he would work for peace, a Palestinian official said Wednesday.

Mahmoud Abbas received a courtesy phone call from American president-elect Barack Obama, who confirmed that he would work for peace, a Palestinian official said.

Mahmoud Abbas received a courtesy phone call from American president-elect Barack Obama, who confirmed that he would work for peace, a Palestinian official said.

A slowdown in the Persian Gulf might feel like a crash landing in places like Egypt, Jordan and Syria, where gulf money has helped prop up strained economies.

While most Arab television dramas are produced in Syria and Egypt, the Arab world’s biggest TV market, in Saudi Arabia, is by far the most culturally conservative.

While most Arab television dramas are produced in Syria and Egypt, the Arab world’s biggest TV market, in Saudi Arabia, is by far the most culturally conservative.

Barack Obama pledged to protect Israel and prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Barack Obama arrived in Jerusalem, hoping to avoid missteps that could complicate his relationship with Jewish voters at home or efforts to portray himself as neutral to Palestinian officials.

Some countries in the region import 90 percent or more of their staples. The worldwide food crisis is making many countries in the region rethink that math.

The United States, Israel and some of their European allies have begun to recognize that trying to defeat their enemies in the region by isolating them has failed.