Archives for September, 2023

Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Five Israelis, Palestinians charged in Iran spy plot, Shin Bet says

Israel's security service said it had foiled a plot by five Israelis and Palestinians recruited for Iran to spy on Israeli politicians, including the far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Lawyer for Italian-Palestinian held by Israel appeals to Italy to intervene

Agence France-Presse

People leave Israel's Ben Gurion Airport near Lod as anti-government demonstrators rally in July 2023

US to let Israelis enter visa-free, citing less discrimination

Agence France-Presse

Members of Wagner group inspect a car in a street of Rostov-on-Don, on June 24, 2023. President Vladimir Putin on June 24, 2023 said an armed mutiny by Wagner mercenaries was a "stab in the back" and that the group's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin had betrayed Russia, as he vowed to punish the dissidents. Prigozhin said his fighters control key military sites in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP) (Photo by STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Wagner fractures in Syria, Libya amid conflict with Russia's Defense Ministry

A month after Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin's death in a plane crash, Russian authorities are attempting to assert control over the parallel military structure.

Anton Mardasov

By Anton Mardasov

Saudi fighter Abdullah al-Qahtani (R) and US fighter David Zelner (L) compete during the Professional Fighters League 2023 playoffs featherweight fight at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Aug. 23, 2023.

Saudi sovereign fund takes on fighting world with investment in MMA

The Professional Fighter League's founder and chairman, Donn Davis, told Al-Monitor that the Middle East offers an opportunity to grow mixed martial arts.

Huawei

China's Huawei to invest $430M in North African cloud center, developer training

The Chinese tech firm has been increasing its footprint in the Middle East and North Africa.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City on September 22, 2023. Netanyahu called for arch-enemy Iran to face a "credible" threat of nuclear attack to stop the clerical state from obtaining an atom bomb. "Above all -- above all -- Iran must face a credible nuclear threat. As long as I'm prime minister of Israel, I will do everything in my power to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons," Netanyahu told the assembly (Ph

Analysis

As Netanyahu bends on Saudi nuclear bid, Israeli experts sound alarm

Israeli nuclear experts and security seniors object to the path Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to be taking toward allowing Saudi Arabia to establish a nuclear program on its soil.

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

An Iraqi delivers a ball at a bowling alley in Baghdad

'Fertile ground': Baghdad sees timid revival with investment drive

Agence France-Presse

A firefighter surveys the charred and mangled interior of the reception hall where hundreds of Iraqis had been celebrating a wedding

At least 100 killed as fire engulfs Iraq wedding hall

Agence France-Presse

A view of an Azerbaijani checkpoint.

Erdogan: Iran 'views positively' a land corridor linking Turkey to Azerbaijan

Turkish President Erdogan said Iran, which has opposed a land corridor linking Turkey to Azerbaijan, is now changing its tune.

Man Utd 1

Jim Ratcliffe revises Manchester United bid as Qatar's offer is considered

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, a Qatari banker and the son of a former Qatari prime minister, is the only other party to have publicly stated that they are trying to buy the British soccer club.

Biden

Iran indicts Biden, Trump over support for exiled group

The current US president and three of his predecessors have been indicted in Iran for their alleged backing of a California-based Iranian pro-monarchy group that Tehran has designated as a terrorist organization.

Passport of Israel citizen - stock photo

Breaking | Last Updated: September 27, 2023, 11:09 am

US admits Israel to visa waiver program, deal includes Gaza Americans

As part of the negotiations, Israel eased travel restrictions for Palestinian-Americans from both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and Senegal's President Macky Sall (L).

Analysis

Niger, Morocco turn their backs on France as Macron withdraws troops

In the Sahel region and in North Africa, post-colonial France is rapidly losing its influence.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Lebanese protesters burn tyres during a demonstration called for by the banks depositors committee against monetary policies, on May 9, 2023. Lebanon's economic meltdown, described by the World Bank as one of the worst in recent global history, has plunged most of the population into poverty according to the United Nations. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon protesters storm electricity company as Beirut plunges into darkness

Angry Lebanese stormed the state electrical company in Beirut to protest the high power bills as the devastating economic crisis continues to blanket Lebanon in darkness.

This photograph taken on Sept. 21, 2023, shows a view of a hybrid solar power plant, with solar panels on ground and floating, in southwestern France.

UAE’s Masdar to triple Southeast Asia’s largest floating solar plant

The new agreement between Masdar and Indonesian power utility PLN Nusantara Power will launch Phase II of the Cirata floating solar plant in the Indonesian province of West Java.

United Arab Emirates