Arab World

Washington (AFP) – A top Senate ally of President Donald Trump warned Monday of a “devastating” impact on the US alliance with Saudi Arabia if allegations are confirmed that the kingdom killed a prominent journalist. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said Riyadh must provide “honest answers” after a Turkish government source said that the Saudis killed […]

Saudi Arabia

Turkey says Saudi Authorities Murdered Dissident Khashoggi in Istanbul Consulate

AFP

Istanbul (AFP) – Turkish police have concluded that prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered inside the Saudi mission in Istanbul after going missing Tuesday, an unnamed government official said Saturday. “Based on their initial findings, the police believe that the journalist was killed by a team especially sent to Istanbul and who left the […]

Iran

Iran Calls on Saudi Arabia for Regional Security Cooperation in face of Trump Insults

Middle East Monitor

“This is the reward of the illusion that security could be achieved through external support”

Featured

Trump Humiliates, Squeezes Saudi Ally: ‘Pay up–you wouldn’t last 2 Weeks w/out US Army’

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Trump, speaking at a rally in Mississippi on Tuesday night, went out of his way to humiliate Saudi King Salman, his close ally in his attempt to corral Iran. “We protect Saudi Arabia. Would you say they’re rich? And I love the King, King Salman. But I said, ‘King – […]

Featured

New Shiite-led Gov’t in Baghdad: How Iran won the Iraqi Elections & Frustrated Trump

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Shiite politician Adil Abdul Mahdi has been appointed prime minister by new Iraqi president Barham Saleh, bringing to a close months of gridlock in Iraqi politics after the parliamentary elections in June failed to produce a clear winner. Parliament in the past couple of weeks has finally been able to […]

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Dissident Journalist Khashoggi Visits Saudi Consulate in Istanbul then Disappears

AFP

Washington (AFP) – A veteran Saudi journalist who has been critical of the government has gone missing after visiting the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday, the Washington Post reported. Jamal Khashoggi, who writes opinion pieces for the Post, has not been seen since entering the consulate in the afternoon, according to his fiance who […]

Saudi Arabia

Saudi: The Banana Republic with very few Bananas

Daniel Martin Varisco

Stockholm ( MENA Tidningen) – The Saudis are feeling offended that another country might criticize their dismal record of human rights. Last August Canada’s Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland tweeted that a Canadian citizen, Raif Badawi, and his sister Samar should be released from a Saudi prison. Their arrest was due to their promotion of human […]

Iraq

Miss Iraq: Death Threats target Women Media Activists after Miss Baghad was Assassinated

Middle East Monitor

Iraqi fashion model and media activist, Shaimaa Qasem, holder of the title of Miss Iraq in 2015, yesterday said that she had received “death threats.” Qasem, who held the title of Miss Iraq in 2015, posted a short live video on Facebook’s Instagram, revealing that she had received a message read “your turn is coming.” […]

Featured

15 Years after US Occupied Iraq, it is too Unsafe for Trump Admin to keep a Consulate There

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – A little over 15 years after the United States invaded and occupied Iraq on false pretences, the Department of State has been forced to close the US consulate in Basra because the US cannot guarantee its security. Basra has been roiled this summer by huge protests against lack of services […]