Archives for February, 2023

Border crossings between Syria and Turkey

How does aid get into rebel-held northwest Syria?

Agence France-Presse

The peloton rides during the first stage of the UAE Tour

Merlier takes UAE Tour opener in photo finish

Agence France-Presse

DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images

Ukraine war at year 1: Turkey's balancing act succeeds, but game far from over

Despite his diplomatic gains over the past year, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's cautious dance between Ukraine and Russia can't be declared a success quite yet.

Controllers man a terminal at the command station of the Israel Aerospace Industries in an unmanned maritime demonstration during the Naval Defence and Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX) at the Abu Dhabi International Exhibition Centre

UAE, Israel unveil joint naval vessel as military ties grow

Agence France-Presse

People rally waving Israeli flags against the government's judicial reform bill near parliament in Jerusalem on February 20

Israelis rally against judicial reform bill ahead of vote

Agence France-Presse

A man walks outside the Imam al-Tayeb Mosque during a media tour at the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi on February 21, 2023. - The United Arab Emirates has opened a centre housing a mosque, church and the country's first official synagogue with the aim of promoting interfaith coexistence in the Muslim nation. (Photo by RYAN LIM/AFP via Getty Images)

Culture

UAE's Abrahamic House widens space for Jewish community across Gulf

Consisting of a mosque, a synagogue and a church side by side, the concept is a monumental step forward for the Gulf state as well as its multireligious community.

President Xi Jinping held talks with President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran on his state visit to China on Feb. 14, 2023.

Analysis

Iran’s Raisi visit to China, high on optics but falls short on immediate deals

The first visit in 20 years for an Iranian president to China was big on optics but short on deliverables.

Arash Karami

By Arash Karami

Supporters of Morocco's Democratic Confederation of Labor (CDT) rally against high costs of living on February 19 in Rabat

Moroccans defy ban to protest surging cost of living

Agence France-Presse

Algeria's Prime Minister Aimene Benabderrahman, pictured at the African Union summit on February 18, said $1 billion will be allocated to finance development projects in Africa

Algeria announces $1 billion for African development

Agence France-Presse

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba (R) and Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen give a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb. 16, 2023.

Analysis

Ukraine war at year 1: Israel, Ukraine find common ground on Iran

Sharing concerns over Moscow-Tehran military cooperation, Jerusalem and Kyiv’s interests are now converging.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

A convoy of trucks from Doctors Without Borders (MSF) carrying aid for earthquake victims arrived in Syria from Turkey via the Al-Hammam border crossing

Aid group issues urgent appeal for quake-hit Syria

Agence France-Presse

Cairo residents were becoming increasingly separated from the centuries-old buildings they lived alongside

In Old Cairo, residents reconnect with their heritage

Agence France-Presse

Two young girls stand in front of a building hit by a reported Israeli missile strike in Damascus, on February 19, 2023

Israeli strike kills 15 in Syrian capital: war monitor

Agence France-Presse

Festival chief Mariette Rissenbeek told AFP the Berlinale stood with Iranian directors who 'weren't allowed to travel to the festival'

Iran freedom struggle stars at Berlin film fest

Agence France-Presse

Badr Al-Sharari refused to let his disability curb his passion, and this month the Saudi rider was admitted into the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation as its first blind member

Blind Saudi horseman clears jumps to gain recognition

Agence France-Presse

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (C) spoke with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on February 18, 2023

Blinken exhorts Israeli, Palestinian leaders to 'restore calm'

Agence France-Presse