Archives for March, 2023

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani hosts UAE's national security advisor Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed and deputy prime minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed at Lusail Palace in Doha. (Qatar’s Diwan)

Analysis

Qatar-UAE 'fraternal' meetings offer sign of growing rapprochement

Although immediate economic partnerships or deals from the UAE and Qatar meetings have yet to be announced, the latest meetings are still a sign that the two Gulf nations are headed into a thaw after years of boycott.

By Salim A. Essaid

The US Navy displays weapons it says were seized from the intercepted vessel, including Iranian versions of Russia's Kornet anti-tank missile and medium-range ballistic missile components

Iran says British arms smuggling bust 'fake news'

Agence France-Presse

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis meets with Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, in Jerusalem, on March 2, 2023.

Analysis

Lithuania joins Israel's EU efforts to designate Iran's IRGC

In what could be the first true shift in the European Union's position, Lithuania’s FM is signaling support to adding the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to the EU's terror list.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

People take part in a protest against the execution of Iranian footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani -sentenced to death within protests following the death of Mahsa Amini- and to demand human righst in Iran, in front of the Iranian embassy in Mexico City on December 19, 2022. - Amir Nasr-Azadani was arrested in the city of Isfahan two days after allegedly taking part in an "armed riot" in which three security agents were killed.(Photo by PEDRO PARDO/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran on 'execution spree' of Kurdish, Baluchi minorities, Amnesty says

A total of 94 people of any background were executed in January and February, according to Amnesty International.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey’s inflation eases slightly as monthly prices soar

Despite the decline in the annual inflation, Turkey’s monthly consumer prices continue to rise.

Kilicdaroglu and Aksener

Turkey's opposition alliance fractures, fails to agree on challenger to Erdogan

The Iyi Party will not support the opposition coalition’s top candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu in the presidential elections.

A file photo from July 22, 2020, of the head of Lebanon's General Security apparatus, Abbas Ibrahim

Lebanon paralysis grows as security chief bows out

Agence France-Presse

Huge spending on reconstruction after the February 6 earthquake could add to inflationary pressures in Turkey

Turkey's inflation slows further as presidential vote nears

Agence France-Presse

Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, is flying to Iran on Friday ahead of meetings on Saturday

UN nuclear chief in Iran after near weapons-grade uranium find

Agence France-Presse

Four astronauts entered the International Space Station after their SpaceX Dragon Crew-6 mission successfully docked

SpaceX Dragon crew enter International Space Station

Agence France-Presse

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Economy Minister Nir Barkat look on during a press conference at the prime minister's office, Jerusalem, Jan. 25, 2023.

Analysis

Far-right ministers endanger Israel's ties with US

Statements by senior Israeli officials in favor of "wiping out" the Palestinian Huwara village, as well as calls for the US "to mind its own business," are threatening the strategically important alliance between the two countries.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Activists from Greenpeace display a banner outside the United Nations headquarters during negotiations on a treaty to protect the high seas

Treaty ahoy? Talks to protect high seas near finish line

Agence France-Presse

Shiite Muslim pilgrims gather to pray at the shrine of the 8th-century Imam Musa al-Kadhim in the Kadhimiya district, north of Baghdad, on February 17, 2023. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi TV series about Islamic history triggers Iraq’s sectarian divide

The Saudi-based MBC media group’s announcement that it would broadcast a TV series about a controversial figure in Islamic history, Mu'awiya bin Abi Sufyan, has faced strong backlash from Shiites in Iraq and the region.

HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Saudi Arabia invests $51 billion in first wave of Shareek diversification

The Shareek investment and diversification strategy is set to create more than 64,000 jobs by 2040.

This picture shows traffic in Baghdad's Tahrir Square with the iconic Freedom Monument, a 50-metre (165-foot) long bas relief that honours the 1950 revolution which overthrew Iraq's monarchy, on November 7, 2022.(Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images)

Iraq rolls out new plan to reduce chronic Baghdad traffic

Successive Iraqi governments have tried but failed to address the problem of traffic in the capital. Sudani's plan involves building new bridges and overpasses.

The Egyptian economy was hit hard after Russia's invasion of Ukraine unsettled global investors

Egypt raises fuel prices amid spiraling economic crisis

Agence France-Presse