Archives for July, 2018

Did concert in Iranian holy city topple an ayatollah's ban on music?

The singer Hesameddin Seraj gave the first concert in many, many years in Mashhad, a city known for its religious heritage, leading to speculation about more concerts to come.

A picture taken on July 19, 2018 shows rebel fighters on a tank, entering town of Fuaa in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib after thousands of its residents were evacuated to regime-controlled areas. - Several thousand residents evacuated two pro-regime towns in northern Syria today, putting an end to one of the longest sieges of the country's seven-year civil war.
Fuaa and Kafraya in Idlib province were the last remaining areas under blockade in Syria and a rare example of pro-government towns surr

Is a storm brewing for Turkey in Idlib?

The increasing presence of jihadis in the last remaining opposition enclave is giving Bashar al-Assad a pretext to threaten an attack on the region where Turkish forces are also deployed.

Ankara’s eyes on Idlib as Astana group gathers in Sochi

Representatives from Turkey, Russia and Iran are reportedly meeting in Sochi to discuss the Syrian conflict, and Iran's presence in the war-torn area seems to figure prominently.

Caution and doubt in Iran as Trump offers direct dialogue

In Iran, political heavyweights respond to US President Donald Trump's sudden offer of "unconditional" talks.

Turkey becomes more dependent on Russia due to Idlib

Ankara has not reacted to large Russian arms shipments to Armenia as Turkey’s current priority is preserving security cooperation with Russia in Syria, particularly in Idlib.

Why is Europe underplaying its hand on Iran?

In a twist, Washington appears more aware of Europe’s ability to impact US sanctions on Iran than Europeans themselves.

An Iraqi's ink-stained finger is seen holding on to a cigarette in Amman December 14, 2005. [Iraq's al Qaeda and other militant groups branded landmark elections as ungodly and vowed to keep up their jihad to turn the country into an Islamic state, according to an Internet statement dated Monday.] - PBEAHUNUBES

Cigarette scandal shifts attention to institutionalized corruption in Jordan

Jordanians were shocked to hear about a major corruption scandal involving officials who have allegedly helped businessmen run several unlicensed cigarette plants.

Soldiers walk past damaged buildings in Yarmouk Palestinian camp in Damascus, Syria May 22, 2018. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki - RC18889192B0

Palestinians reach agreement with Damascus on return of refugees

Amid efforts to reconstruct the Yarmouk refugee camp on the outskirts of Damascus, the PLO is working to facilitate the return of Palestinian refugees to Syria who fled to Gaza and Lebanon.

Israeli right-wing minister runs for Jerusalem mayor

On the backdrop of proposals to detach Palestinian neighborhoods from Jerusalem’s municipality, the candidacy of Minister Ze’ev Elkin for Jerusalem mayor could ignite the already volatile atmosphere in the city.

Nationality law makes Israel's Druze second-class citizens

The Druze community in Israel has condemned the Jewish Nationality Law, which effectively demotes them to second-class citizens despite their military and other service to Israel.

Lebanon looks for economic lift from cannabis

Lebanon’s parliament is set to discuss a bill to legalize the production of industrial hemp as part of efforts to boost the country’s ailing economy.

A man reads a newspaper at a bus stop in front of electoral posters in Alexandria, Egypt, October 18, 2015. Egyptians turned out in low numbers on Sunday to vote in the first phase of an election hailed by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi as a milestone on the road to democracy but shunned by critics who say the new chamber will rubber stamp his decisions. REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih - GF10000249681

Egypt forms battle plan against fake news

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has warned against the dangers that rumors pose to the country and has announced government plans to combat the spread of false news.

Wales' Gareth Bale (C) takes part in a kick-about with Jewish and Arab children in the northern city of Haifa March 29, 2015. Bale forgot all about his recent troubles at Real Madrid when scoring twice in a superb Wales victory over Israel on Saturday that kept them on course for next year's Euro 2016 finals in France. REUTERS/Baz Ratner - GF10000042594

The Sabbath revolution shakes Israeli sports

New regulations that condition government funding for sports associations on not holding competitions on the Sabbath threaten to financially destroy entire organizations.

Historic Jerusalem market reopens with new purpose

The ancient market of Tankiz Khan has been restored and has found new life as Al-Quds University's Jerusalem studies center.

U.S. President Donald Trump listens to a question as he holds a joint news conference with Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in the East Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., July 30, 2018. REUTERS/Carlos Barria - RC177B101AC0

Trump says he's ready to meet Iran 'anytime'

US President Donald Trump said Monday that he’d be willing to meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani anytime Iran wants, without any preconditions.

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - JULY 12: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives at the 2018 NATO Summit at NATO headquarters on July 12, 2018 in Brussels, Belgium. Leaders from NATO member and partner states are meeting for a two-day summit, which is being overshadowed by strong demands by U.S. President Trump for most NATO member countries to spend more on defense. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

Pence escalates Trump-Erdogan rift with tweeted threats

The US-Turkey brawl over American pastor Andrew Brunson is as intense as ever, as the Turkish president and US leaders exchange public threats and messages of defiance.