Archives for July, 2018

Iranian opposition leader in exile ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeiny gives a speech as journalists surround him at Roissy airport near Paris on January 31, 1979 before boarding an Air France "Jumbo Jet" bound to Tehran. Although Iran's US-backed shah had already fled the country when Khomeini returned from exile in the small French town of Neauphle-le-Chateau, the 747's landing is seen as the true start of the Islamic revolution. AFP PHOTO MARCEL BINH (Photo credit should read MARCEL BINH/AFP/Getty Images)

Will Iran reinstate its abolished Senate?

Nearly 40 years after the dissolution of the Senate, some Iranian politicians are increasingly speaking about the need to revive the country’s abolished political body.

After 7 years, Iran's Green Movement leaders may be released

While the news of the likely end of the house arrest for the Green Movement leaders was welcomed, many felt that it was happening too late.

A Syrian Army soldier loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad forces stands next to a military weapon in Idlib, Syria January 21, 2018. Picture taken January 21, 2018. SANA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. - RC19C0D8B740

Syria's Idlib emerges as Achilles heel in Russia-Turkey partnership

Although Turkey is desperately trying to postpone an imminent Idlib operation by Syrian forces, a compromise doesn’t look likely.

Will Iraq's Sunni provinces join in on protest movement?

While the southern part of Iraq is witnessing a major protest movement, people in Sunni areas in the west and north — despite expressing support for the demonstrations — have fears about going out into the streets.

Residents of Cairo's historic buildings make plea to prevent demolitions

Cairo's governorate is destroying architectural heritage in Egypt as part of the Maspero Triangle investment plan.

Palestinian children walk outside of the United Nations' school in the Askar refugee camp, near Nablus in the Israeli occupied West Bank, on January 17, 2018 after the White House froze tens of millions of dollars in contributions. - The agency provides Palestinian refugees and their descendants across the Middle East with services including schools and medical care, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long accused it of hostility toward Israel and called for its closure. (Photo by JAAFAR ASHTIYEH / A

Israel’s 'UNRWA dilemma'

Israel is worried about UNRWA's announcement that due to cuts in US funding, it will not be able to open schools in the West Bank for the academic year scheduled to begin Sept. 1.

Abbas appears set to compromise for Fatah-Hamas reconciliation

A Fatah delegation is in Cairo to discuss reconciliation with Hamas, carrying a broad mandate from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to compromise on control of security forces in Gaza.

Cave restaurant becomes latest attraction in Jordan’s mosaic city

The Jordanian city of Madaba is internationally known for its Byzantine church mosaics, but its latest attraction takes visitors underground.

Gaza rolling in fake money

Gaza police have seized their first major high-tech counterfeiting operation as more desperate Palestinians pass off fake money to unsuspecting businesses.

Yemen war escalates as Houthis threaten UAE, Saudi Arabia

Escalating threats by Yemen's Houthi rebels indicate the group is still not intimidated by the Saudi-led coalition, portending more suffering for Yemeni civilians.

A Syrian boy holds the Iranian flag as a truck carrying aid provided by Iran arrives in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor on September 20, 2017 while Syrian government forces continue to press forward with Russian air cover in the offensive against Islamic State group jihadists across the province.
Two separate offensives are under way against the jihadists in the area -- one by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, the other by Russian-backed government forces. The Syrian army now controls around 70 percent

Did Israel nix Russian deal on Iran-backed forces in Syria?

Putin intensifies diplomacy with Israel and Turkey, as Iran adjusts its Syria policy after Helsinki; Damascus and Syrian Kurds keep talking; Al-Monitor breaks story on costs of US Embassy in Jerusalem.

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak and Iranian Communications Minister Mahmoud Vaezi exchange documents during a signing ceremony after their meeting in Moscow, Russia, July 29, 2016. REUTERS/Maxim Zmeyev - D1BETSIUABAB

Is Russia a better fit than the EU to help relieve Iran from sanctions?

While Iran would prefer EU help when it comes to relief from US sanctions, Moscow might be better suited to this role than Europeans.

Is Turkey refusing to register new Syrian refugees?

Istanbul denies claims from Human Rights Watch that Turkey has stopped registering Syrian refugees.

Israeli lawmaker in uphill battle to rein in local corruption

Knesset member Roy Folkman heads a not very popular battle against corruption in local politics.

Russia-Turkey ties face 'moment of truth' over Syria's Idlib

Presidents Putin and Erdogan met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg to discuss growing tensions over Idlib, where Russia and Turkey may be facing their moment of truth.

Iranian Sunni leader makes appeal to Iraq's top Shiite cleric

Iran’s prominent Sunni leader, Molavi Abdul Hamid, sent a letter to Iraqi Shiite cleric Ali al-Sistani requesting that he act as a mediator between Iran's Sunni community and the government.