Middle East

Iraq’s highly effective Sadr says he quits politics, protests escalate
World

Iraq’s highly effective Sadr says he quits politics, protests escalate

Iraqi populist chief Muqtada al-Sadr delivers a televised speech in Najaf, Iraq August 3, 2022.  Alaa Al-marjani | Reuters Iraq’s impressive Shi’ite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr mentioned on Monday he was quitting politics and closing his establishments in response to an intractable political deadlock, sparking protests by his followers and increasing fears of a lot […]

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Saudi crown prince’s visit to Turkey signals an ‘utterly remarkable’ posture change for Erdogan
World

Saudi crown prince’s visit to Turkey signals an ‘utterly remarkable’ posture change for Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan R welcomes Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud in Ankara, Turkey, on June 22, 2022. Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua via Getty Images DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has visited Turkey for the first time in years, marking a rapprochement between two of […]

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Jordan’s king says he would support a Middle East version of NATO
World

Jordan’s king says he would support a Middle East version of NATO

Jordan’s King Abdullah said he would support the formation of a Middle East military alliance similar to NATO, and that it can be done with countries that are like-minded. Thomas Kronsteiner | Getty Images News | Getty Images Jordan’s King Abdullah II said he would support the formation of a Middle East military alliance similar […]

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United Arab Emirates bans Pixar’s new Buzz Lightyear movie from theaters
World

United Arab Emirates bans Pixar’s new Buzz Lightyear movie from theaters

Tim Allen and Tom Hanks voice Buzz Lightyear and Sheriff Woody in Pixar’s “Toy Story.” Disney DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Disney Pixar’s animated movie “Lightyear” hits theaters this week and is expected to draw enthusiastic “Toy Story” fans from a number of countries around the world.   Not in the United Arab Emirates, though.  The […]

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Food price inflation rocks the Middle East’s economies, pushing up risk of social unrest
World

Food price inflation rocks the Middle East’s economies, pushing up risk of social unrest

Local government officials and a Ukrainian soldier inspect a grain warehouse earlier shelled by Russian forces on May 06, 2022 near the frontlines of Kherson Oblast in Novovorontsovka, Ukraine. John Moore | Getty Images Rising prices of food and energy are reverberating through Middle Eastern and North African economies, a new S&P Global Ratings report […]

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House Oversight investigating  billion Saudi investment in Jared Kushner’s firm
Politics

House Oversight investigating $2 billion Saudi investment in Jared Kushner’s firm

White House senior adviser Jared Kushner stands among Saudi officials as President Donald Trump talks with Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during a meeting in the Oval Office at the White House on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 in Washington, DC. The Washington Post | The Washington Post | Getty […]

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UAE strongman Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed named new president
World

UAE strongman Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed named new president

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Victoria Jones – PA Images | PA Images | Getty Images The United Arab Emirates’ de facto leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan was elected president of the Gulf Arab state by a federal supreme council on Saturday, solidifying his rule […]

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Russia backs down on demands in Iran nuclear deal talks, making revival of 2015 pact imminent
World

Russia backs down on demands in Iran nuclear deal talks, making revival of 2015 pact imminent

A picture taken on November 10, 2019, shows an Iranian flag in Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, during an official ceremony to kick-start works on a second reactor at the facility. ATTA KENARE | AFP via Getty Images Russia has walked back its threat to torpedo the revival of the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal over […]

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Ballistic missiles hit Iraq’s Kurdish capital, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claim responsibility
Politics

Ballistic missiles hit Iraq’s Kurdish capital, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claim responsibility

March 13, 2022 shows buildings damaged due to the missile attack near the U.S. consulate compound in Erbil, Iraq. Twelve ballistic missiles launched from outside Iraq struck the country’s northern Kurdish regional capital Erbil on Sunday, the regional government said. Dalshad Al-Daloo | Xinhua News Agency | Getty Images Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for […]

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