Archives for March, 2024

In this handout photo provided by the U.S. Navy, suspected pirates indicate their surrender with a white cloth on the bow of the Japanese-owned commercial oil tanker M/V Guanabara March 6, 2011 in the Arabian Sea.

Analysis

Why Houthi Red Sea attacks could inspire more piracy in Indian Ocean

Since November, more than 20 pirate hijackings have taken place in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin, adding to the current financial burden on shipping companies.

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

Palestinians check the rubble of buildings that were destroyed following overnight Israeli bombardment in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on March 27, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

White House: No Rafah invasion until Israeli delegation talks alternatives

"We don’t support a major ground operation," White House NSC coordinator John Kirby emphasized on Thursday, as an Israeli delegation is expected to discuss alternatives with top officials in Washington next week.

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas (R) receives German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock at his office in the West Bank city of Ramallah on March 25, 2024. (Photo by Nasser Nasser / POOL / AFP) (Photo by NASSER NASSER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

US welcomes new Palestinian cabinet, pushes for reforms

The Palestinian Authority has been under US pressure to undertake various reforms amid proposals that it take the reins in the Gaza Strip after the war ends.

A display of photos of protesters killed during a candlelight vigil on the first anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death in Iranian custody, Washington, DC, Sept. 16, 2023

Iran continues crackdown on women as executions approach 100 for the year

Iran handed prison sentences to 11 activists defending women’s rights and has executed 98 people this year.

Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations Riyad Mansour speaks.

Interview

Palestine to bid for full UN membership this month, says ambassador

Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations Riyad Mansour spoke to Al-Monitor about Arab solidarity on Gaza, Palestine’s efforts to become a full member of the UN, reconciliation with Hamas and alleged sexual crimes on both sides of the conflict.

Riyad Mansour

Riyad Mansour

Palestine Ambassador to the UN

A man monitors the board at Tadawul, the Saudi stock exchange, Riyadh, Dec. 12, 2019.

Analysis

Could Saudi Arabia spark tech startup IPO boom in Middle East?

With startups outside the Gulf focused on survival amid a funding drought, the Saudi pipeline could boost investor interest in companies typically seen as too risky.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Mounir

Interview

Incoming legislation to make 'big difference' for Egypt's fintechs, MNT-Halan CEO says

Mounir Nakhla told Al-Monitor that although financial inclusion has increased in Egypt over the past few years, much of the country's population is still unbanked.

Mounir Nakhla

Mounir Nakhla

CEO of MNT-Halan

An Aerial view Taken by drone of Tripoli, Libya old City . You can see marcus aurelius arch, Cornthia Hotel, Dat Al-Emad, Burj Al-Fatah, Burj Abu-laila & JW Marriot Hotel

Inside the plan to send American diplomats back to Libya

The Biden administration sees a US diplomatic presence in Libya as critical to helping counter Russia’s growing footprint in Africa as well as supporting a UN-led push for elections.

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Biden-Netanyahu spat more play to electorates than showdown over Gaza

The dispute won't shake 'ironclad' US support for Israel.

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Saudi private equity investment peaked at $4B in 2023 amid rising buyouts

The kingdom's deep-pocketed sovereign wealth fund was involved in the top three private equity transactions between 2019 and 2023.

Smoke billows from the area of an Israeli air strike on the southern Lebanese village of Khiam, near the border with Israel on March 23, 2024.

Analysis

As strikes deepen, Israel warns Hezbollah it can 'transition' from Gaza to Lebanon

With Hamas no longer "an immediate significant threat," the Israeli military has been preparing to focus on the border with Lebanon.

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

A view on March 28, 2024 from southern Israel of Gaza Strip buildings destroyed by Israeli strikes

Top world court orders Israel to ensure urgent aid reaches Gazans

Agence France-Presse

Palestinians check the rubble of buildings that were destroyed following overnight Israeli bombardment in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip

US-Israel rift heads for moment of truth over Rafah

Agence France-Presse

Saudi Aramco President & CEO Amin Nasser speaks during the CERAWeek oil summit in Houston, Texas

Saudi Aramco CEO calls energy transition strategy a failure

Agence France-Presse

A picture taken from Rafah shows smoke billowing after Israeli bombardment on Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on March 21, 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

State Department staffer resigns over Biden's handling of Gaza

Annelle Sheline is the second State Department official to publicly resign since Oct. 7, citing the erosion of US credibility on human rights in the Middle East as a result of the war.

Washington Pulse

ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Amid Biden-Netanyahu split over Rafah, Pentagon leans on lessons from Iraq

As the Biden administration seeks to prevent further humanitarian catastrophe in Rafah, former US commanders told Al-Monitor there are key ways the Israeli military can shape an operation to protect civilians.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military