Archives for September, 2016

Republican U.S. presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speak at their first presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, U.S., September 26, 2016. Picture taken September 26, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar - RTSPO3R

Trump-Clinton debate dominates headlines in Iran

While some stayed awake in Iran to follow the first round of the US presidential debates live, others read about it in the press, which extensively covered both the event and the lively conversation sparked by the debate.

RAMALLAH, -: Palestinian women hold up banners reading "No to killing, yes to life" as they demonstrate against the "crimes of honor" in some traditional and rural Palestinian communities in which female vitue and virginity still defines a family's reputation, 10 September 2005 in Ramallah. Honor killing in some Arab societies occurrs when women accused in sexual misconduct are murdered by close relatives who are encourged by their families to "cleanse" the honor of the family that has been "disgraced." AF

How activists are confronting contract killings of Israeli Arab women

Activists within the Israeli Arab sector warn of growing violence and the murder of women, with five Israeli Arab women killed so far in 2016.

People walk past electoral posters for parliamentary candidates, ahead of the general elections to be held on September 20, in Amman, Jordan, September 16, 2016. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed - RTSO224

Who are the winners and losers in Jordan’s latest elections?

With limited political party participation in parliament and a legislature that is still dominated by monarchy loyalists, many Jordanians believe that little has changed after the recent elections.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) takes a seat next to Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman (bottom) as Defence Minister Ehud Barak walks to deliver a statement in Jerusalem November 21, 2012. Netanyahu hinted on Wednesday that if an Egyptian-brokered truce with Islamist militants in Gaza did not work Israel would consider "more severe military action" against the Palestinian territory. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS CONFLICT) - RTR3APHV

Why criticism from former PM Barak rattles Netanyahu

A recent tweet by former Prime Minister Ehud Barak could portend the next big challenge to Benjamin Netanyahu's grip on power.

Vehicles of the Hashid Shaabi (Popular Mobilization) take part in a military parade in the streets of Baghdad, Iraq July 12, 2016. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily - RTSHJ8D

Sunni blocs oppose legal immunity for Popular Mobilization Units

The Shiite Iraqi National Alliance is to propose legal immunity for the Popular Mobilization Units, but Sunni blocs in parliament are likely to object to the proposal.

Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati (R), a candidate for the upcoming vote on the Assembly of Experts, and Iran's former chief negotiator Saeed Jalili attend a conservatives election campaign gathering in Tehran February 24, 2016. The campaign gathering was titled "No to UK Meddling". REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/TIMA ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. - RTX28EQJ

Financial watchdog worries Iranian hard-liners

Fierce criticism of engagement with the Financial Action Task Force rages on in Iran, but the government is holding firm with the support of several political heavyweights.

Palestinians disavow video threatening Americans in Gaza

Palestinian officials have widely denounced a Palestinian militant’s threat against US nationals in the Gaza Strip after the US government added Hamas leader Fathi Hammad to its terror list.

Why Gaza's intellectuals are fleeing abroad

Lack of freedom of thought and expression is leading creative young Palestinians to flee the Gaza Strip in search of a place where they can work freely.

- PHOTO TAKEN 13JUN06 -
A counsellor holds up cards used to educate women about female genital mutilation (FGM) in Minia June 13, 2006. The practice of FGM dates back over two thousand years in Egypt and is widely practiced in all levels of society for [Muslims and Christians] alike. [Many organizations like UNICEF] have funded programs to help educate people about the risks and dangers of FGM in order to change people's opinions on this procedure which is seen by many as a necessary social norm. Picture ta

Egypt increases prison terms for female genital mutilation

Human rights groups applaud Egypt’s recent crackdown on female genital mutilation as a positive step, but also note political change must be accompanied by significant shifts in cultural and religious attitudes.

Turkish armoured personnel carriers drive towards the border in Karkamis on the Turkish-Syrian border in the southeastern Gaziantep province, Turkey, August 27, 2016. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RTX2N8HX

What is Turkey’s military strategy in Syria?

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent statement once again revealed that Ankara's priority in Syria is not fighting against the Islamic State, but rather stopping Kurds' advances.

Turkish army soldiers stand guard at their position near the northern Syrian rebel-controlled town of al-Rai, in Aleppo Governorate, Syria, September 27, 2016. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi - RTSPPGG

Turkey faces decision over boots on the ground in Syria

Turkish media are speculating that the Free Syrian Army militias cannot expel Islamic State from Dabik and al-Bab, so that mission will fall to Turkish infantry.

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (C) meets with Iraq's Vice President Khudair al-Khuzaie (not seen) during his visit in Baghdad July 18, 2013. REUTERS/Hadi Mizban/Pool (IRAQ - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX11QSK

Khamenei puts stop to Ahmadinejad's return

Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad finally puts an end to months of speculation about whether he will run for office in next year’s presidential vote.

Iran's former president Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani (C), Iranian former vice president Mohammad Reza Aref (centre, L) and a group of reformists pose for a photo in Tehran February 22, 2016. REUTERS/Mohammad Kazempour/TIMA TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. IT IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS. FOR EDITORIAL USE ON

Is Iran's Rouhani about to ditch his longtime patron?

Rumor has is that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is distancing himself from his longtime patron Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

A Palestinian salesperson holds Apple's new iPhone 5 at a mobile phone store in Gaza City October 16, 2012. Apple's new iPhone 5 is selling well in the Gaza Strip despite inflated prices, reaching the Palestinian enclave via smuggling tunnels even before high-tech hub Israel next door. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS SOCIETY TELECOMS) - RTR3970R

Gazans aren't spared from iPhone frenzy

Despite the 10-year siege, iPhone mobile devices still make it into the Gaza Strip, where there is a high demand among the citizens who pay large amounts of money to own smartphones and keep up with technology.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departs after meeting with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump at Trump Tower in New York, U.S. September 25, 2016. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTSPE08

Likud cheers as Netanyahu returns, but polls tell another story

The Israeli prime minister's triumphant return from New York was topped off by the Likud's festive New Year celebration, leaving Benjamin Netanyahu feeling stronger than ever — at least within his own party.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers remarks at the Hudson Institute's Herman Kahn Award Ceremony at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan, New York, U.S., September 22, 2016. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly - RTSP1VO

Why is Congress fighting Netanyahu’s battle?

US senators are pressuring the Obama administration to follow policies toward the Palestinians that match those favored by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.