Archives for June, 2023

Muslim pilgrims perform prayers around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Mecca ahead of the hajj pilgrimage

Millions head to Mecca for huge hajj in Saudi heat

Agence France-Presse

Ted Leonsis, majority owner of the NBA's Washington Wizards, attends a game in October 2022

Qatari fund to buy minority stake in NBA, WNBA, NHL teams: reports

Agence France-Presse

Pro-Palestinian protesters face off with a group of Israel supporters and police in a violent clash in Times Square, New York City, May 20, 2021.

Analysis

What does City University of New York controversy say about antisemitism, censorship?

Strong pro-Palestinian activism at the school has prompted an ongoing debate over antisemitism and criticism of Israel. One antisemitism expert says the rhetoric of pro-Palestinian activists is not necessarily bigoted.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

The northern West Bank has seen a spate of attacks on Israelis as well as attacks by Jewish settlers on Palestinian communities

West Bank village between settlers and shooting attacks

Agence France-Presse

Bradley Beal, #3 of the Washington Wizards, drives around Jared Rhoden, #8 of the Detroit Pistons.

Qatar to buy stake in Washington Wizards, Capitals: reports

The move follows the National Basketball Association allowing sovereign wealth funds to invest in teams and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund merging its LIV Golf league with the PGA Tour, demonstrating Gulf investors' interest in US sports.

Egypts President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (L) shakes hands with Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi before their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on January 25, 2023. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP) (Photo by SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

India's Modi makes first visit to Egypt as ties strengthen

India sees significant geo-strategic, economic and defense-related potential in Egypt. Anti-Muslim sentiment in India is not interfering with New Delhi’s strengthening ties to the Middle East.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Blinken

US unveils visa restriction policy tied to Saudi fugitive case

The new policy permits visa denials for foreign officials who help their citizens evade the US justice system.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Fishing boats are moored at Karachi port as a part of precautionary measures before the due onset of cyclone, in Karachi on June 14, 2023. More than 40,000 people have been evacuated across India and Pakistan as a cyclone approaches their coast, officials said on June 13, with gales of up to 150 kilometres per hour predicted. (Photo by ASIF HASSAN / AFP) (Photo by ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images)

UAE signs agreement with Pakistan’s Karachi Port Trust

The Abu Dhabi Ports Group joint venture will invest heavily in the infrastructure development of the Port of Karachi over the next 10 years, with the bulk of it planned for 2026.

United Arab Emirates

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) met today met with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (L) in Abu Dhabi, June 22, 2023.

Iran rushes regional thaw in UAE as it hopes for sanctions relief

Iran's foreign minister was in the United Arab Emirates to pursue the Islamic Republic's reproachment drive, while his deputy was on a parallel mission in neighboring Qatar in a quest for sanctions relief through indirect diplomacy with the United States.

United Arab Emirates

An ad for hydrogen-powered cars.

Analysis

Oman sets sights on being Middle East leader in green hydrogen

The International Energy Agency said earlier this month that Oman is looking to significantly increase its domestic production of hydrogen from renewable electricity.

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

A Palestinian woman carries a piece of wood as she stands outside her house, which was set on fire by Israeli settlers the day before, in Turmus Aya near the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, on June 22, 2023. A resident of Turmus Ayya told AFP around "200 settlers" attacked the Palestinian village, while AFP journalists in the village saw scorched homes, buildings and wounded people being evacuated by ambulance. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP) (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Palestinian Authority reports 310 attacks by Israeli settlers in West Bank

Violence is ongoing since a Monday Israeli raid in Jenin that killed seven Palestinians and included rare airstrikes.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (L) holds talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, on the concluding leg of a four-nation Gulf tour

Iran top diplomat rounds out Gulf tour with UAE visit

Agence France-Presse

France's new special envoy for Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian met with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati during a visit to Beirut

French envoy meets key Lebanese players on 'consultative' mission

Agence France-Presse

Judges enter the courtroom prior to the verdict in the case against Japanese whaling at the International Court of Justice, The Hague, Netherlands, March 31, 2014.

Can Canada-Netherlands case against Assad at ICJ bring Syria some justice?

A move by Canada and the Netherlands offers a potential accountability framework to serve Syrian victims of torture, though some observers are skeptical about the International Court of Justice's enforcement mechanisms.

Judi Dalati

A charity kitchen for the displaced at a camp in Wad Madani, the capital of Sudan's al-Jazirah state

Hunger, disease stalk Sudan town crowded with displaced

Agence France-Presse

Smoke billows over Khartoum's Bahri district after the end of a three-day ceasefire that brought a relative respite to the city

Sudan warring parties trade blame as fighting rages

Agence France-Presse