Archives for September, 2020

Uncertain future for Egypt's Salafists following Senate election defeat

The failure of Egypt’s largest Salafi party to win any seats in recent Senate elections is an additional indication of the collapse of the Salafists' popularity.

How Turkey’s ‘zombie’ companies keep afloat

A number of big companies that would have normally gone bust amid Turkey’s economic turmoil are surviving thanks to government favors.

Rebuilding Beirut to preserve its heritage

Architects and NGOs are deploying efforts to restore the traditional buildings of Beirut that were heavily damaged in the devastating explosion that rocked the capital Aug. 4.

This picture taken on April 5, 2019 shows a view of hieroglyphic inscriptions and relief on a wall of the the New Kingdom period (16th-11th centuries BC) Temple of Seti I, at the archaeological site of Abydos near Egypt's southern city of Sohag, about 540 kilometres from the capital Cairo. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo credit should read KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Pharaonic prophecy raises fears of drought in Egypt

In light of the ongoing Nile dam crisis, Egypt fears long periods of drought as happened during the era of King Djoser, as depicted in a granite slab with inscriptions written in hieroglyphic script.

This picture taken on November 17, 2019 shows the Liberia-flagged container ship RDO Concord sailing through Egypt's Suez Canal in the canal's central hub city of Ismailia on the 150th anniversary of the canal's inauguration. - One hundred and fifty years after the Suez Canal opened, the international waterway is hugely significant to the economy of modern-day Egypt, which nationalised it in 1956. The canal, dug in the 19th century using "rudimentary tools" and which links the Mediterranean to the Red Sea,

Will Suez Canal feel impact of UAE-Israel normalization?

The potential economic agreements between the United Arab Emirates and Israel may reduce traffic through Egypt’s Suez Canal.

United Arab Emirates

Palestinians cover their ears as a masked man fires a volley from his rifle, during the funeral of Dalia Ahmed Suleiman Samudi, 23, in Jenin city in the occupied West Bank on August 7, 2020, who was killed by Israeli fire during clashes. - Samudi died of a gunshot wound after being shot near the site of clashes between Palestinian youths and Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian officials said. (Photo by JAAFAR ASHTIYEH / AFP) (Photo by JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP via Getty Images)

Palestinian Authority cracks down on drug, arms traffickers in West Bank

The Palestinian security services increased their operations against arms and drug traffickers in the West Bank in light of the high level of armed crimes and killings.

Democratic Republic of Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi attends the 32nd African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa on February 10, 2019. - While multiple crises on the continent will be on the agenda of heads of state from the 55 member nations, the two-day summit will also focus on institutional reforms, and the establishment of a continent-wide free trade zone. (Photo by SIMON MAINA / AFP) (Photo credit should read SIMON MAINA/AFP via Getty Images)

Congo backs Egypt in Nile dam dispute

Amid the heated dispute between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan over the GERD negotiations, the Egyptian presidency said it received the support of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Israeli border policemen talk to a shopkeeper while on patrol in Jerusalem's main market during closure on September 25, 2020, as a series of measures to strengthen a second COVID-19 lockdown imposed last week takes effect. - The new measures, set to begin at 1100 GMT and affecting retails, workplaces, places of worship and demonstrations, were decided after Israel failed to bring down the world's highest coronavirus infection rate. (Photo by Emmanuel DUNAND / AFP) (Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Im

Leadership failure traumatizes Israelis as virus surges

On the eve of the second lockdown, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is blaming everyone but himself for Israel's failure to cope with the pandemic.

A member of an Iraqi Shiite paramilitary group helps a fellow protesters holding a placard denouncing the United States climb on the outer wall of the US embassy in Baghdad's Green Zone during an angry demonstration on December 31, 2019 to denounce weekend US air strikes that killed Iran-backed fighters in Iraq. Arabic graffiti reads: "Assaib Ahl al-Haq" -- a pro-Iran Iraqi Shiite group whose leaders were recently hit with US sanctions. - It was the first time in years protesters have been able to reach the

US shakes up Iraqi factions with reported warning on militias

The Trump administration has warned Iraqi President Barham Salih that it could close its US Embassy in Baghdad if the militias' attacks against its bases and convoys continue.

Intel: Menendez opposes resolution to immunize Sudan from terror lawsuits

The Trump administration is looking to unilaterally take Sudan off the US terror sponsors' list amid a logjam over the issue in Congress, jeopardizing victims' compensation, in an apparent effort to get Sudan to recognize Israel ahead of the Nov. 3 US election.

A Turkish-Russian military convoy tows a damaged vehicle after its joint patrol was reportedly targeted on the strategic M4 highway, near the Syrian town of Urum al-Jawz in the south of the northwestern Idlib province, on August 25, 2020. - Russia and Turkey launched joint patrols along the M4 highway in March following a ceasefire agreement aimed at stopping heavy fighting in and around Idlib, the last major bastion of anti-government forces in Syria's civil war. (Photo by Abdulaziz KETAZ / AFP) (Photo by

Turkey's military deterrence breaks down in Syria's last rebel stronghold

Despite Turkey’s efforts to maintain the status quo in Idlib, a Russian-backed Syrian assault seems increasingly likely.

Senate Democrats say Trump administration policy has empowered Iran

The State Department also announced new sanctions on Iran including on the judge who purportedly ordered the execution of famed wrestler Navid Afkari.

Hamas, Fatah agree to hold Palestinian elections within six months

The deal comes after reconciliation talks in Turkey this week aimed at resolving the differences between the two main Palestinian factions.

Saudi Arabia warns of ‘oil spot’ near aging tanker off Yemen's coast

UN officials have described the FSO Safer, an aging vessel that contains 1.14 million barrels of light crude oil, as a ticking time bomb.

US Senator grills State Department official on potential F-35 sale to UAE

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Robert Menendez said the possible sale of the advanced fighter jet to the United Arab Emirates could undermine Israel's military superiority in the region.

A photograph taken on October 22, 2011 shows a Turkish military helicopter flying over a mountain in Yemisli, in the Hakkari province, near the Iraqi border in southeastern Turkey. Turkish air strikes killed 23 Kurdish villagers in the southeast near the Iraqi border early on December 29, 2011 an official of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) said. Provincial officials found 23 bodies at Ortasu village in Sirnak province, councillor Ertan Eris told pro-Kurdish Roj TV from the bombing site. Nin

Turkish army accused of throwing Kurdish farmers from helicopter

Allegations that Turkish soldiers took two Kurdish farmers up in a helicopter and threw them out fit a broader pattern of operations against the Kurdistan Workers Party in rural areas.