Archives for July, 2024

Syria votes Monday in a parliamentary election restricted to residents of government-held areas that the exiled opposition has dubbed "absurd"

Syrians prepare for 'predetermined' election

Agence France-Presse

US President Joe Biden speaks during a press conference at the close of the 75th NATO Summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC on July 11, 2024.

Biden touts Gaza cease-fire progress as reelection concerns mount

The president acknowledged that Israel has been “less than cooperative” during the Gaza war with its top ally the United States.

In May, the ICJ ordered Israel to 'immediately halt' its offensive in Rafah

'Hardly anything' will deter Israel's Gaza war: S.Africa judge on ICJ case

Agence France-Presse

A handout satellite image courtesy of Maxar Technologies shows the US-built temporary aid pier on the Gaza coast on May 18, 2024

Biden says 'disappointed' with troubled Gaza aid pier

Agence France-Presse

Vance

Meet J.D. Vance, Trump’s VP pick: Hawk on Israel, critic of foreign aid

Vance is an “America First” firebrand who opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq and military funding for Ukraine, but is a staunch supporter of Israel and backs normalization agreements with Arab states.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Kibbutz Beeri, near the Gaza border, was one of the worst-hit communities in the October 7 attacks on Israel, with more than 100 residents killed by Hamas militants

Israel military says 'failed' to protect Gaza border kibbutz from Hamas attack

Agence France-Presse

Supporters cheer as newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrives at the shrine of the Islamic Republic's founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Tehran on July 6, 2024.

Analysis

How Iran’s new government will impact ties with Pakistan

Will Pezeshkian's victory in Iran result in relational shifts with its neighbors and the West alike? Experts believe that remains to be seen.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks during a visit to the shrine of the Islamic Republic's founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, on July 6, 2024, in Tehran, Iran.

Analysis

Will Iran join global financial watchdog FATF under Pezeshkian?

Pezeshkian has promised better days for Iran, but will he revive the once-thwarted negotiations required to make change happen?

Ali Dadpay

Syrians attend the burial of a man killed during clashes with Turkish troops, in Afrin in northern Syria on July 2, 2024.

Syrians in Turkey change attire, avoid cars after mob attacks

Mob attacks on Syrians in Turkey are forcing Syrians to make themselves invisible.

The Gaza-Egypt border seen on March 30, 2024 amid the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territory between Israel and the militant group Hamas

Netanyahu demands Israeli control of Gaza territory on Egypt border

Agence France-Presse

Destroyed buildings and rubble in Gaza City's Shujaiya district after the Israeli military withdrew

Gaza City's Shujaiya 'in ruins' after latest Israeli operation

Agence France-Presse

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reviews the honour guard.

China, UAE hold air force drills in Xinjiang as defense relations grow

The joint air force training exercise, dubbed Falcon Shield, began on Wednesday in the northwest Xinjiang province of China and will continue until late July.

United Arab Emirates

Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) listen.

US lawmakers advance bill to block new UN rights for Palestine

The House Foreign Affairs Committee also voted on legislation to claw back UNRWA funds and denounce a UN decision to list Israel as an abuser of children’s rights.

tanks

Israeli delegation back to Egypt as Sullivan warns 'miles to go' on deal

Shin Bet director Ronen Bar headed to Cairo for security talks after the Mossad chief returned from talks on a hostage-release and cease-fire in Doha.

BERLIN, GERMANY - DECEMBER 15: Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdallah Bou Habib speaks to the media following talks with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on December 15, 2023 in Berlin, Germany. The two diplomats discussed mutual measures to prevent the current Palestinian-Israeli conflict from expanding to other regions, among other issues. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Interview

Lebanon FM warns of 'devastating’ regional war if Israel escalates campaign against Hezbollah

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Lebanon's top diplomat, Abdallah Bou Habib, adds that security in the south ultimately depends on a strong Lebanese army and an agreement on the border – not war.

Abdallah Bou Habib

Abdallah Bou Habib

Lebanon Foreign Minister

A picture shows a view of the Israeli settler unauthorised outpost of Meitarim Farm near Hebron city in the occupied West Bank on Feb. 14, 2024.

Breaking | Last Updated: July 12, 2024, 7:41 am

Extremist West Bank settlers, outposts hit with US sanctions

The State Department imposed sanctions on Lehava, a right-wing Jewish supremacist group accused of repeated acts of violence against Palestinians.