Category: Middle East

US Bans Entry to Syria Security Agent Over Killings on Video

BEIRUT—The U.S. State Department on Monday banned entry into the U.S. of a Syrian intelligence member who appeared in a video leaked last year showing him fatally shooting people during the country’s 12-year conflict. The ban against Amjad Yousef, a member of Syria’s notorious Military Intelligence Branch 227, includes his wife and immediate members of…


Suicide Bombing in Southwestern Pakistan Kills 10 Police Officers

QUETTA, Pakistan—A suicide bomber on a motorcycle rammed a police truck in Pakistan’s restive southwest, killing 10 police officers and wounding 12 in one of the deadliest attacks on security forces in recent months, authorities said. The newly formed Tehreek-e-Jihad al-Qaeda-aligned group hours later in a statement claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place on…


Al-Qaeda Confirms Top Leader Killed in Suspected US Air Strike in Yemen

Al-Qaeda on Sunday confirmed that Hamad bin Hamoud al-Tamimi, a top Saudi leader in al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), was killed in a suspected U.S. air strike in Yemen last month, according to the SITE Intelligence Group. Al-Tamimi was killed on Feb. 26 in a drone strike that targeted his residence in Marib province,…


World Bank: Quake Caused Damage Worth $5.1 Billion in Syria

BEIRUT—The World Bank said Friday that Syria sustained an estimated $5.1 billion in damages in last month’s massive earthquake that struck southeast Turkey and northern parts of the war-torn country. The quake killed at least 50,000 people, including about 6,000 in Syria, according to the United Nations. Tens of thousands are still missing and hundreds…


Crisis Over Suspected Iran Schoolgirl Poisonings Escalates

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—A crisis over suspected poisonings targeting Iranian schoolgirls escalated Sunday as authorities acknowledged over 50 schools were struck in a wave of possible cases. The poisonings have spread further fear among parents as Iran has faced months of unrest. It remains unclear who or what is responsible since the alleged poisonings began…


Syria Mission Worth the Risk, Top US General Says After Rare Visit

NORTHEAST SYRIA—The nearly eight-year-old U.S. deployment to Syria to combat the ISIS terrorist group is still worth the risk, the top U.S. military officer said on Saturday, after a rare, unannounced visit to a dusty base in the country’s northeast to meet U.S. troops. Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,…


Medvedev Ends Djokovic Run to Book Dubai Final With Rublev

Daniil Medvedev handed Novak Djokovic his first defeat of the year, beating the world number one 6–4 6–4 on Friday to reach the Dubai Tennis Championships final where he plays holder Andrey Rublev for a third title in as many weeks. In a contest where the players put their early season win streaks on the…


Washington Restricts US Exports to 28 Chinese Entities, Citing Alleged Ties to Iranian Military

The U.S. Commerce Department on March 2 announced export restrictions for a string of Chinese entities. The United States added 28 Chinese firms and individuals to its Entity List (pdf), citing concerns regarding national security risks, including through their alleged dealings or attempted dealings with an Iranian electronics company, Paradazan System Namad Arman (PASNA), which has been sanctioned by…


Turkey Fines TikTok for Weak Data Protection Measures

ISTANBUL—Turkish authorities have fined TikTok 1.75 million lira ($93,000) for not taking sufficient measures to protect users from unlawful processing of their data, the Personal Data Protection Board (KVKK) said on Wednesday. The fine comes amid growing international concern over the Chinese short video-sharing app and who accesses its user data. Government institutions in Europe…


Americans Work Remotely as Employees in Europe and Asia Return to the Office

A great divergence has become noticeable in return-to-office habits, as half of American workers still work remotely compared to their counterparts in Asia and Europe who have largely returned to the office. Offices in the United States are still at about half capacity three years after the onset of the pandemic, with occupancy rates at 40–60…