Archives for June, 2023

NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey appoints Tanju Bilgic as new ambassador to Russia

The appointment of Ankara's new envoy to Moscow coincided with the Kremlin’s announcement that the Russian president will soon visit Turkey.

Justin Rose of England and his caddy look on.

US Justice Department investigating Saudi LIV Golf-PGA Tour merger: reports

The revelation follows action taken by some members of Congress in response to the Saudi sovereign wealth fund-backed golf league’s deal with the US-based PGA Tour.

A man holds up an Argentinian flag during a demo at Mayo square, in Buenos Aires on January 19, 2015, against the death of Argentine public prosecutor Alberto Nisman, who was found shot dead earlier, just days after accusing President Cristina Kirchner of obstructing a probe into a 1994 Jewish center bombing. Nisman, 51, who was just hours away from testifying at a congressional hearing, was found dead overnight in his apartment in the trendy Puerto Madero neighbourhood of the capital. "I can confirm that a

Lebanon: Argentina issues arrest warrant for 4 Hezbollah operatives in AMIA bombing

The four suspects are linked to the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people and injured hundreds.

RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP via Getty Images

Israel's Christians horrified by hate crimes in Jerusalem

Verbal and physical attacks are rising against Christians and Christian sites in Jerusalem.

Iranian embassy

Analysis

Saudi-Iran detente offers dubious economic benefits, say analysts

Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Fatih spoke brightly this week about the economic potential of the China-brokered agreement, but experts who spoke to Al-Monitor are more skeptical.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Dubai free trade zone

Dubai free zone reports 24% increase in Chinese companies

The Dubai Multi Commodities Center has more than 770 Chinese companies in its free trade zone.

United Arab Emirates

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds flowers next to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they meet at the Kremlin in Moscow on January 30, 2020. (Photo by MAXIM SHEMETOV / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MAXIM SHEMETOV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Russia to open consular office in Jerusalem, resolving dispute with Israel

Israel's Foreign Ministry hailed the agreement reached with Russia over a disputed plot in Jerusalem as a "major achievement."

International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors are seen at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, June 15, 2023.

Analysis

Israel acknowledges inability to thwart a US-Iran 'mini agreement'

On the backdrop of strained relations with the US, Israel realizes it has limited influence only over the Biden administration’s policy on Iran.

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

Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi speaks during a press conference with his Iranian counterpart (unseen), Tehran, Iran, Nov. 19, 2022.

Interview

US, Syria exchange messages on journalist Austin Tice, Oman’s FM says

Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi also discussed Syria's re-integration, prospects for normalization with Israel and talks to end Yemen's war in an interview with Al-Monitor.

Sayyid Badr Albusaidi

Sayyid Badr Albusaidi

Foreign Minister of Oman

Egypt dog

Egypt's dog breed ban leaves owners scrambling to save their pets

Only 10 dog breeds to be permitted in Egypt without "safety inspection" under measure prompted by high-profile case earlier this year.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi disembarks after landing at Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maquetia, La Guaira State, Venezuela, on June 12, 2023.

Iran's Raisi urges unity to 'neutralize' US sanctions in Nicaragua visit

Iran and Nicaragua closed cooperation deals as Raisi admired the leftist state for its resistance against the United States.

Amberin Zaman & Arash Azizi

LISTEN: Iranian academic Arash Azizi says Iran's Soleimani looms as large in death as in life

In the latest episode of Amberin Zaman's podcast "On the Middle East," Arash Azizi discusses the legacy of slain Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani.

View of the cottage village in the suburbs of Alanya, also known as the Turkish Riviera.

Russia, Iran, Ukraine nationals top Turkey's real estate market for foreigners

Official data shows the number of foreign real-estate buyers has increased in May from the previous month.

A general view of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pavilion at COP26 on Nov. 10, 2021, in Glasgow, Scotland.

Analysis

Saudi Arabia's carbon credit exchange: climate action or greenwashing?

Sixteen firms, including Aramco, Saudi Airlines, Saudi Electricity Company and NEOM subsidiary ENOWA, bought more than 2.2 million tons of carbon credits in Nairobi on Wednesday.

By Salim A. Essaid

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan arrives at Damascus airport, on April 18, 2023. - Bin Farhan's is the first visit to Syria's capital by a Saudi official since the start of the country's civil war in 2011. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP) (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi FM to visit Iran in first after China deal, Iranian press reports

The visit will be the first in years during which Saudi Arabia and Iran were locked in a bitter conflict that has been felt across the region.

Palestinian relatives mourn during the funeral of Faris Hashash, 19, who was killed during clashes with Israeli forces at the Balata refugee camp on the outskirts of Nablus, in the occupied West Bank, on June 13, 2023. (Photo by Jaafar ASHTIYEH / AFP) (Photo by JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP via Getty Images)

Nablus mourns Palestinian youth killed by Israeli forces

The West Bank city has been the site of several confrontations between Israelis and Palestinians this year.