Middle East

Donald Trump’s recent policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been unambiguous, to put it mildly. His administration is increasingly aligned with one of the most right-wing governments in Israel’s history. Most radically of all, it reversed a longstanding US policy by recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and relocating the US embassy there from […]

Iran

French Auto Maker Renault decides to Stay in Iran, Fight Trump Sanctions

AFP

Paris (AFP) – French carmaker Renault will maintain its presence in Iran while taking measures to avoid the risk of penalties for breaching renewed US sanctions, CEO Carlos Ghosn said Friday. “We will not abandon it, even if we have to downsize very strongly,” he said at the annual shareholders’ meeting in Paris. “When the […]

Saudi Arabia

Retro Saudi Soap Opera set in Imaginary “Unveiled, Liberal” 1970s Infuriates Hardliners

Middle East Monitor

With scenes of unveiled women and mixed-sex musical soirees, a new Saudi Arabian soap opera, set in the 1970s, is evoking nostalgia about the kingdom’s modern past. A period before the rise of religious fundamentalism. But, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s liberalising plans for the country, it is also giving viewers an unintended taste […]

Yemen

Yemen: Will the Battle for Hodeidah Bring a Solution or Disaster?

Brian Whitaker

London ( al-Bab.com) – In Yemen, the long-expected military assault on the port city of Hodeidah began this morning. Hodeida is currently held by the Houthis who control much of northern Yemen. According to local reports it is being attacked from the south by the Amaliqa (“Giants”) Brigades – a surviving section of Yemen’s national […]

Israel/ Palestine

Israeli Lawmaker: Supremacy of ‘Jewish Race’ Explains Support for Netanyahu

Middle East Monitor

A lawmaker from the ruling Likud party said Wednesday that the “Jewish race” is the smartest in the world and possessing of the “highest human capital,” which is why, he said, the Israeli public did not buy into the allegations of wrongdoing by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reports The Time Of Israel. Member of the […]

Featured

In Quoting Bible on Tearing Children from Parents, Sessions Echoes Israeli Practices

Juan Cole

The Trump administration decision to treat all undocumented immigrant families, including asylum seekers, as criminals has led its officials to rip large numbers of children away from their parents and place them in detention centers. Even the Bush administration had not routinely treated all undocumented immigrants in that way. Children in Federal detention centers at […]

Israel/ Palestine

Gaza’s Infant Mortality increased in past Decade; 6 Times Israel’s, Twice Jordan’s

Middle East Monitor

London – In a new report published yesterday, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) “warned that infant mortality has not declined for the last decade in Gaza Strip”, reported Xinhua. According to UNRWA, “the infant mortality rate among Palestinian refugees in Gaza was 22.7 per 1,000 […]

Houthi

Yemen: Huthis Pledge to ‘Confront Tyranny’ as Saudi-Led Forces Kill Dozens in Attack Key Port

Fawaz al-Haidari

With Alison Tahmizian Meuse in Dubai Al Duraihimi (Yemen) (AFP) – Yemen’s rebel chief urged his forces to fight on against pro-government troops pressing a Saudi-backed offensive to retake the key aid hub of Hodeida, as the UN called for the Red sea port to be kept open. Heavy fighting left 39 people dead on […]

Featured

120 Nations Condemn Israel for Gaza Shootings, including Russia, China, France & 11 other European States

Juan Cole

In a blow to the Trump administration and the government of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted, by 120 votes in favor, a resolution introduced by Algeria and Turkey condemning Israel for deploying excessive force against Palestinians at rallies near the border of Gaza. After a thorough investigation, Human […]