Michael Kaplan

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Michael Kaplan covers breaking news for the International Business Times, with a special focus on the Middle East. He previously worked as a freelance journalist covering religion, politics and human rights in Turkey, and has also spent time in Morocco, the Palestinian West Bank, Israel, Lebanon and Jordan. His work has been published in Al Jazeera English, IRIN News, Religion News Service, the Forward and more.

Was Paris Attack Planned By ISIS Leadership? Either Unprecedented Homegrown Attack Or Islamic State Operational Shift, Analysts Say

A statement claiming responsibility for the Paris attacks showed little indication that its authors knew more than what could be found on any news site.

Israel Using Paris Attacks To 'Declare War' Against Palestinians, Arab Lawmaker Claims

“We should remember, we are not to blame for the terrorism directed against us, just as the French are not to blame for the terrorism directed against them," Netanyahu said.

Connecticut Muslim Student Mahmoud Hashem Targeted: After Hateful Message 'Killed Paris' Discovered, UConn Shows Support

Students at the University of Connecticut are rallying behind a Muslim student after someone wrote "killed Paris" on the nametag hanging outside his dorm room.

Saudi Arabia To Buy More US Weapons To Fight ISIS? Officials Approve $1.29B Sale Of 10,000 Advanced Air-To-Ground Munitions

The reports come a week after U.S. allies in the Gulf raised concern at the Dubai Airshow over a shortage of military supplies.

After Nuclear Agreement, Iran Begins Dismantling 10,000 Centrifuges Amid Criticism From Parliamentary Members

The country began dismantling the centrifuges about two weeks ago; the nuclear agreement requires that Iran disassemble most of its 19,000 centrifuges.

Nigeria-Boko Haram Update: Terrorists Attack Maiduguri With Explosives, AK-47 Assault Rifles

Nigerian forces said they uncovered large quantities of weaponry during the operation, which came as Nigeria's military continued a yearslong campaign against militants.

When Is The Next 2016 Debate? Schedule For Democratic National Committee Presidential Nominee Matchup

The debate is likely to include the three candidates that appeared Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa. In case you can't tune in for next month's debate, there's a forum later this month.

After ISIS Paris Attack, Saudi Arabia's King Salman Donates $110M For International Anti-Terrorism Center

Salman proposed the creation of a United Nations organization to combat terror, and pledged some $110 million.

What Is An ISIS Sleeper Cell? After Paris Attack, Concerns Mount That Islamic State Operatives Could Export Terror

A coordinated operation in Paris that left at least 129 people dead and hundreds more wounded was believed to be the work of ISIS supporters, stirring fear that the militant group could perpetrate further attacks.

After Paris Attack, Saudi Arabia, Other Regional Allies Under Pressure To Take On Greater Syria Role

The kingdom appears more likely than ever to come to the negotiating table and work for a permanent solution in Syria, some experts say.

What Is Neturei Karta? Why Ultra Orthodox Jews Are Protesting Benjamin Netanyahu And Befriending Iranian Leaders

Members of an Orthodox Jewish movement praise Iranian leaders, rail against Israel, stand with pro-Palestinian activists -- and may be gaining support.

ISIS Claims Responsibility For Baghdad Suicide Bomb: Islamic State Targets Iraqi Shiite Mosque During Funeral

An attack by the Islamic State group targeted a Shiite funeral in the Iraqi capital, just one day after a bombing in Lebanon that killed at least 40 people.

Chinese Spy Ship In East China Sea? Japan Boosts Security After Intelligence Vessel Spotted Near Contested Islands

Japan planned to strengthen its border security in response to the sighting as the country's defense minister characterized the ship's movements as "unusual."

In Anti-ISIS Sinjar Offensive, Iraq's Kurdish Forces To Cut Islamic State From Vital Highway, Setting Stage For Wider Crackdown On Oil-Based Revenue

A campaign combining U.S. airstrikes and Kurdish fighters to retake a key Iraqi town could cripple the militant group's vision of a self-governed state.

In Kim Jung Un's North Korea, Purge Rumors Grow With Disappearance Of Top Aide

A South Korean government spokesperson said the omission of a top official's name from a funeral list was unprecedented.

Bedouins Wage War Against ISIS: Egypt Tribal Leaders Help Push Back Islamic State Advances As Militant Group Spreads In Sinai

"They kill anyone who doesn't agree with them. We accept everyone, including Christians and Jews, but we can never accept ISIS."

Anti-ISIS Campaign Effective? Boots On The Ground Needed To Defeat Islamic State Group, US Officials Say

Thousands of ISIS fighters have been killed, including key leaders of the group, yet the militants have continued to experience successes despite an campaign meant to weaken their hold.

Muslims Await Pope Francis Uganda Tour: Delegation Of Islamic Faith Representatives To Welcome Catholic Leader

As the pontiff continues to reach out to Muslim leaders around the world, a delegation is set to meet with him during his visit to the African nation.

Flight MH370 Update: Search Close To Solving Missing Malaysian Airline Mystery, Captain Says

After more than a year of frustration, aviation experts believe investigators might be close to discovering the whereabouts of the missing Malaysian airliner.

Meteorite Fall Over Eastern Turkish Village: Poor Villagers Make Hundreds Of Thousands Of Dollars After Black Stones From Space Rain Down

Last week alone, collectors from Germany and the U.S. spent some $200,000 on meteorite stones, which are now scattered across the village.

Koh-i-Noor Diamond: Bollywood Actors, Indian Businessmen Demand Return Of $150M Gem, Launch Lawsuit Against The British Queen

Indian legend holds that the gem can only be worn by God or by women, and many feel the gem was unjustly stolen by the British during the occupation of India.

Netanyahu White House Visit: Obama, Israel Prime Minister Emphasize Commitment To Middle East Peace In Effort To Mend Strained Relations

Violence has tarnished hopes for a long-term solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Obama Monday he is committed to peace.

ISIS Hacks Thousands Of Twitter Accounts: Islamic State Hacker Group Vows A Come-Back Following Death Of Cyber Caliphate Leader

The Cyber Caliphate has reportedly hacked some 54,000 Twitter accounts in revenge for the death of a British ISIS recruit earlier this year.

Haitians Continue To Protest Preliminary Election Results As Critics Raise Concern Over 'Massive Fraud' Allegations

Results from an Oct. 25 vote appeared to show that the government-backed candidate Jovenel Moise won the most votes, but "massive fraud" is alleged.

Mysterious Blue Lights In California: 3 Cool Facts About UFO Sightings You Didn't Know

Either UFOs really love the Golden State or it’s just a prime location for covert military testing. Since the 1950s, 11,092 UFOs have been reported in California.

Last Jews Of Aleppo Escape Syria And Head For Israel With Help From American Businessman

When it was learned one of the women had converted to Islam when she married a Muslim man, the Jewish Agency said it could not help resettle them.

Netanyahu White House Visit 2015: Israel Premier Expected To Request Billions In Military Aid As Iran Nuclear Deal Sets Off Arms Race

Israel, following Saudi Arabia, is looking to strengthen its military following the Iran nuclear deal. Has the agreement unleashed an arms race in the Middle East?