Archives for December, 2022

Syria aid

The Takeaway: Will Russia kill UN's Syria aid mission?

Plus, Congress puts conditions on Egypt's annual security aid and the US plays down Biden's comments on the Iran nuclear deal.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Taraneh Alidoosti is one of the most prominent figures arrested in Iran's crackdown on the protest movement

Global stars call for release of jailed Iranian actor Alidoosti

Agence France-Presse

A Tesla office on April 20, 2022, in Fremont, Cal.

Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company Tesla hiring in Turkey

The US electric vehicle maker already has a presence in Jordan and Israel and could soon launch in Turkey, where Musk has a good relationship with President Erdogan.

The Department of the Treasury building is seen in Washington, DC, on Aug. 29, 2022.

Breaking | Last Updated: December 21, 2022, 6:31 pm

US targets Iran's prosecutor general, military officials with new sanctions

The US Treasury Department also designated a company manufacturing riot gear for Iran's law enforcement.

One of the final images from the World Cup was Qatar's emir putting a traditional Arab cloak over Argentina star Lionel Messi

Qatar sees off World Cup criticism to claim diplomatic victory

Agence France-Presse

Dignitaries pose together in a photo at the start of the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership.

Iranian, Saudi FMs meet in Jordan after months of stalled dialogue

The Iranian-Saudi dialogue stalled earlier this year amid the protests in Iran and political tensions in Iraq.

Esmail Qaani

Iran's Quds Force leader criticizes women without hijabs

Speaking about the protests in Iran for the first time, Esmail Qaani said that 'honorable women' wear headscarves.

Imamoglu

Turkey's media board fines TV chains for Imamoglu coverage

Three channels were given harsh penalties for criticizing the Istanbul mayor's prison sentence and politics ban and for questioning Erdogan’s economic policies.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

2022 in review: Turkey wraps up year of regional resets but more whiplash ahead

As 2022 forced the Turkish government to reverse course with regional powers, this election year is expected to usher in even more change in Turkey’s foreign policy.

Women and a child queue to receive humanitarian aid packages at the Kurdish-run Al-Hol camp in Syria

Children 'trapped' in Syria camps at risk: aid group

Agence France-Presse

Support for the Atlas Lions surged as they battled their way to the semi-final of the football World Cup in Qatar -- the first Arab or African team ever to get so far

After World Cup run, Morocco shoots at diplomatic gains

Agence France-Presse

Veteran hawk Benjamin Netanyahu won a clear majority with his far-right allies in a November 1 general election but talks on forming a new Israeli government have dragged on longer than expected

Israel's Netanyahu forms new government

Agence France-Presse

Kfar Kama

Culture

Israeli Circassian village lands among UN's top tourism picks

Israel's Circassian village of Kfar Kama is featured in this year's "Best Tourism Villages," a project of the UN World Tourism Organizaiton.

Magda Shehata Haroun talks during an interview with AFP at the Shaar Hashamayim Synagogue.

Culture

Egypt's few remaining Jews celebrate Hanukkah

Hanukkah was celebrated amid tight security in Cairo's Meyr Biton Synagogue. Yet Magda Haroun, head of Egypt's tiny Jewish community, looks forward to the day when all of Egypt's synagogues will be open for prayer and celebrations.

AFP had rare access to a court in Ghazni to see how sharia justice is being administered since the Taliban returned to power in August last year

Eye-for-an-eye sharia justice returns to Afghan courts

Agence France-Presse

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi bank launches new sustainability program

Several Middle Eastern banks and funds are pursuing finance focused on green technology and the environment.