On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman UAE, Gulf approaches to cryptocurrency, metaverse are testament to future planning, says Salim Essaid
Iraq situation ‘highly volatile,' envoy warns Security Council The UN’s envoy to Iraq delivered a scathing indictment of the country’s political class during today’s Security Council briefing, decrying its exposure of the population to severe risks. Iraq
Once a safe haven, Iranians in Turkey say civil liberties are at risk Many Iranians feel that space for culture, freedom of speech and a secular lifestyle is steadily shrinking in Turkey, which until now has been serving as a safe haven for many Iranians to live freely. Turkey
Tunisia’s Islamists under siege as Saied rolls back democracy Islamists are bearing the brunt of President Kais Saied’s "counter revolution" with their leaders facing possible jail time and little public sympathy, as many view them as the principal architects of the economic woes and political gridlock that has long gripped the country. North Africa
Egyptian pound hits nominal record low ahead of IMF deal The global economic storm has put a lot of pressure on the local currency, which nevertheless remains strong against other currencies. Egypt
US urges Yemen's Houthis to extend truce amid fears of renewed fighting The United States is seeking the renewal of a nationwide truce that brought a much-needed pause in violence to Yemen before it expired on Sunday. Yemen
Israeli defense minister fosters security ties in Azerbaijan Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz traveled this week to Azerbaijan on the backdrop of growing tensions with Iran and Jerusalem’s desire to deepen strategic, security and economic ties with Baku. Israel
Syrian government gears up for major military operation against IS in the desert Syrian government forces are deployed in the Syrian desert in preparation for a large campaign against the Islamic State. Syria
Netanyahu attacks US over Israel-Lebanon maritime border deal In his efforts to win the Nov. 1 elections, opposition head Benjamin Netanyahu is willing to torpedo the American-mediated agreement between Israel and Lebanon on maritime border demarcation and to attack the Biden administration. Israel
Rare clashes erupt between jihadist group, Turkey-backed faction in Syria's Idlib Clashes erupted between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Faylaq al-Sham, affiliated with the Turkish-backed FSA, due to differences over the alleged opening of a commercial crossing with the Syrian government-held areas in the eastern Idlib countryside. Syria
Netanyahu's ultranationalist minister pick concerns US American officials are warning opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu that including ultranationalist Itamar Ben Gvir in a possible future cabinet would damage Israel’s relations with its great ally. Israel
Egypt persuades Israel to extract Gaza’s natural gas Al-Monitor obtained information from Palestinian and Egyptian officials about the success of Egyptian mediation in pushing Israel to allow the start of extracting natural gas off the coast of the Gaza Strip. Egypt
Egypt softens toward organ donation After years of initiatives and calls for post-mortem organ donation, the Egyptian government is considering establishing an organ registry and expanding organ transplant surgeries. Egypt