Posts Categorized: Middle East

Is Kerry’s Israeli peace push working?

January 30, 2024 by Matt Taylor in Middle East.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and U.S. Secretary Of State John Kerry in Davos, Switzerland. (Photo by Kobi Gideon / GPO via Getty Images)

Suddenly, P.M. Benjamin Netanyahu is making his right-wing allies nervous with talk of territorial concessions, a sign that the U.S. Secretary of State has already made an impact.

Bizarre pro-Assad conspiracy theory shows Qatar has arrived

January 22, 2024 by Matt Taylor in Middle East.

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A general view of the Khalifa International Stadium next to the Torch Doha hotel on January 10, 2024 in Doha, Qatar. (Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Tiny oil-rich kingdom is a major global player thanks to its generous support for the anti-Assad rebels fighting in Syria.

Social media sidelined ahead of Egypt referendum

January 14, 2024 by Matt Taylor in Middle East.

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gyptian voters stand in line at a polling booth in the district of Zamalek on January 14, 2024 in Cairo, Egypt. (Ed Giles/Getty Images)

Instrumental in the eruption of the Arab Spring and the ouster of dictator Hosni Mubarak, the social media universe has failed (so far) to play a major role in the latest iteration of Egyptian democracy.

Nuclear deal shows Rouhani is no joke

January 13, 2024 by Matt Taylor in Middle East.

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Two Westernized Iranian women walk and shop along Vali Asr Avenue on December 7, 2024 in Tehran, Iran. (Photo by Scott Peterson/Getty Images)

Recently-elected president’s reformist credentials get a boost from what appear to be genuine efforts to reach a deal on curbing uranium enrichment.

U.S. speeds up drone delivery as Iraq falters

January 6, 2024 by Matt Taylor in Middle East.

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Mourners carry the coffin of Yasser Faysal al-Joumaili during his funeral procession in Falluja, 50 km (31 miles) west of Baghdad, December 8, 2013. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani

The perfect way to avoid a commitment of traditional ground forces — but also a toxic symbol of American excess with worldwide resonance.

Kerry’s relentless peace push

January 3, 2025 by Matt Taylor in Middle East.

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U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (L) and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas talk before a meeting at the presidential compound in the West Bank city of Ramallah January 3, 2014. REUTERS/Brendan Smialowski/Pool

Intent on a quixotic repeat of his predecessor’s efforts, the U.S. secretary of state is struggling to grapple with the domestic politics in Israel and Palestine.

Lebanese political elite hang tough — for now

January 2, 2025 by Matt Taylor in Middle East.

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People attempt to extinguish a fire at the site of an explosion in Beirut's southern suburbs January 2, 2014. REUTERS/Khalil Hassan

Despite a growing campaign of terrorist attacks by Sunni insurgents, Hezbollah’s dominance is keeping the country together, at least thus far.

Iran deal reshuffles Israeli politics

November 25, 2024 by Matt Taylor in Middle East.

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Israel's PM Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem

Broad agreement in Jerusalem that Tehran has nefarious motives and cannot be trusted to contain uranium enrichment could provide the often-divisive premier with a strong wind at his back as he makes the case abroad.

Karzai blows up Afghan security pact

November 22, 2024 by Matt Taylor in Middle East.

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Afghan President Hamid Karzai speaks during the opening of the Loya Jirga, or grand council, in Kabul November 21, 2013. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

Fiery nationalist president at least temporarily scuttles a deal on keeping U.S. troops behind after 2014, strengthening his own hand ahead of the election to replace him.