Category: Middle East

Blinken Tours Turkey’s Earthquake Zone, Pledges $100 Million in Aid

ISTANBUL—U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken took a helicopter tour Sunday of one of the provinces worst-affected by the Feb. 6 earthquake in southern Turkey and northern Syria and pledged a further $100 million in aid to help the region. “This is going to be a long-term effort,” Blinken said at Incirlik Air Base, a…


London-Based TV Station Critical of Iranian Regime Moves to US After Threats

A UK-based Persian-language TV station has said it is moving its London studios to the United States, as a result of the growing threat from the Iranian regime and security advice from British police. The channel said in a statement on Feb. 18: “After a significant escalation in state-backed threats from Iran and advice from…


Syria Says Israeli Airstrikes Hit Buildings in Damascus, At Least 5 Dead

Airstrikes from Israel that hit a neighborhood in Syria’s Damascus known to have heavily-guarded Iranian installations have killed at least five people, according to Syrian state news. Syrian state media agency SANA reported, citing a military source, that Israel had carried out airstrikes targeting several areas in Syria’s capital shortly after midnight on Sunday morning. Loud explosions…


Perilous Conditions: The Realities of Rising World Tension

On this episode of International Reporter’s Roundtable: Conflict has been reignited in the Middle East. War is escalating in Ukraine, the countries surrounding are feeling the pressure. NATO is making decisive moves. Tanks, missiles, joint exercises. At the same time tensions are high in the US concerning the many intrusions into our airspace. Mysterious balloons…


[SUNDAY WATCH PARTY] Enes Kanter Freedom: Why I Sacrificed My Future in the NBA to Stand Up to the Chinese Regime

Join us for our ATL Sunday Watch Party! During the Watch Party, everyone can watch this episode with Enes Kanter Freedom for FREE—even without a subscription. Feel free to share this link to your friends and family! This episode was originally published in December 2022.  “How can the biggest dictatorship in the world control a…


Earthquake Death Toll Passes 46,000; Desperation for Signs of Life

ANTAKYA/KAHRAMANMARAS, Turkey—More than 46,000 people have been killed in the earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria and the toll is expected to soar, with some 264,000 apartments in Turkey destroyed and many still missing as rescuers listen for signs of life under the rubble. As Turkey tries to manage its worst modern disaster, concerns were…


Turkish Teen Filmed ‘Last Moments’ From Quake-Hit Apartment

ADIYAMAN, Turkey—A 17-year-old high school student has captured Turkish hearts after he filmed a farewell message to his loved ones as he was trapped under the rubble of his home during last week’s earthquake. Taha Erdem and his family were fast asleep when a 7.8 magnitude quake hit their hometown of Adiyaman in the early…


Ghana Winger Atsu’s Body Found Under Rubble in Turkey Quake: Agent

ANKARA—Ghana winger Christian Atsu has been found dead under the building where he lived in southern Turkey after last week’s massive earthquake, his Turkish agent said on Saturday. Atsu had been missing since the Feb. 6 earthquake following the collapse of an apartment building in Hatay. He was 31. “Atsu’s lifeless body was found under…


Senior ISIS Leader Killed, 4 US Soldiers Wounded in Raid in Syria

Four U.S. soldiers were wounded following a helicopter raid in Syria that killed a senior leader of the ISIS terrorist group, the White House announced Friday. National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby told reporters the four soldiers and one of the working dogs are “suffering some injuries” after an explosion during the raid late…


Turkish Quake Victims Sleep in Trains, Tents, Greenhouses

SAMANDAG, Turkey—Nearly two weeks after a massive earthquake leveled tens of thousands of buildings and displaced millions of people in Turkey and Syria, many are still struggling to fulfill their basic needs and some are bedding down in tents, factories, train cars, and greenhouses. People pushed from their homes in the disaster zone described a…