Category: Middle East

Iran Protests Continue as Demonstrators Defy Warnings From Government

Widespread protests continued across Iran for a 45th consecutive day on Sunday, despite warnings from security officials that they would use tougher measures to crack down on demonstrators. Protests over the weekend continued despite a warning from the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), Maj Gen Hossein Salami, on Saturday that he would use unprecedented…


Lebanon President Leaves With No Replacement, Crisis Deepens

BEIRUT—President Michel Aoun left Lebanon’s presidential palace Sunday, marking the end of his six-year term without a replacement, leaving the small nation in a political vacuum that is likely to worsen its historic economic meltdown. As Aoun’s term ends, the country is being run by a caretaker government after Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati failed to…


‘Bibi’ Netanyahu Is Poised for a Political Comeback. Here’s What It Means for Biden’s Agenda

With the largest source of disagreement between the United States and Israel—the Iran nuclear deal—virtually collapsed, President Joe Biden would have little to fear on the policy front from a more right-leaning government if former Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu returns to leadership, according to experts. The right-wing champion of Israeli security and former prime minister has…


10 Killed, More Than 20 Wounded in Explosion in Baghdad

BAGHDAD—Ten people were killed and more than 20 wounded in an explosion in east Baghdad on Saturday, according to security and medical sources. The explosion took place in a garage near a football stadium and a café, when an explosive device attached to a vehicle detonated, leading to another explosion of a gas tanker that…


Iraqi Parliament Approves New Cabinet in Long-Awaited Vote

BAGHDAD—Iraq’s parliament gave its vote of confidence to a new Cabinet on Thursday, breaking a yearlong political stalemate. It’s the first government since 2005 that doesn’t include members from the bloc of a powerful Shiite cleric. A majority of the 253 lawmakers present voted to appoint 21 ministers, with two posts—the Construction and Housing Ministry…


Saudi Blasts Release of US Oil Reserves as an Attempt to ‘Manipulate Markets’

The Saudi Arabian energy minister indirectly slammed the decision by the Biden administration to release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) as an attempt to “manipulate markets.” This is the latest spat between Riyadh and Washington over crude production. Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman did not directly mention President Joe Biden over…


Future Unclear for Syrian Refugees as Lebanese Repatriations Begin

ARSAL, Lebanon—Hundreds of Syrian refugees returned home from Lebanon on Wednesday, the first day of repatriations organized by Beirut, their mood more subdued than celebratory amid concerns over a scheme that rights groups say may involve elements of coercion. Lugging suitcases, power generators, fridges, and even chickens and mostly skirting around watching media, some 700…


Maritime Agreement Between Israel and Lebanon Finalized

HAIFA, Israel—On Thursday, Israel and Lebanon finalized a maritime border agreement that both Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Lebanese President Michel Aoun called a historical achievement. The agreement settles a sea border between the two states that do not have diplomatic relations and have been officially in a state of war for decades. The…


Israel and Lebanon Finalize Maritime Border Agreement

HAIFA, Israel—Israel and Lebanon signed a maritime agreement on Oct. 27 that settles a sea border between the two states, which don’t have diplomatic relations and have been officially in a state of war for decades. The deal, which has the potential to unlock additional natural gas production in the Mediterranean at a time of global…


UK Urges Iran to Release British-Born Environmentalist Morad Tahbaz

The UK government has called on the Iranian regime to release a British-born environmentalist from the notorious Evin prison. Morad Tahbaz, 66, a British-U.S.-Iranian wildlife conservationist, was arrested in 2018 and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was granted bail in July, but his family said he has now been returned to Evin…