Archives for January, 2025

Smoke billows from a fire that Lebanese media reported was lit by Israeli forces in the southern Lebanese village of Burj al-Muluk, near the border with Israel, on January 21, 2025. Local media reports added that the fire engulfed a house and construction equipment related to a national water management project. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

With clock ticking in Lebanon and Gaza, are Israel’s ceasefire deals near collapse?

As implementation deadlines approach this Saturday and Sunday, Israel doubts Hamas' ability to meet its obligations and says some Hezbollah infrastructure remains in place.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

For many Syrian refugees living in Turkey, the idea of going home raises many worrying questions

Stay or go? The dilemma of Turkey's Syrian refugees

Agence France-Presse

A Lebansese soldier patrols a residential area in Naqura that was devastated by the war between Israel and Hezbollah

Despite truce, Lebanese from devastated Naqura cannot go home

Agence France-Presse

Smoke belches from the Dora power station, one of several plants that residents blame for poor air quality in Baghdad

Smog chokes Baghdad as oil-fired factories belch out smoke

Agence France-Presse

Palestinians sometimes wait hours on their way home from work while cars are searched and IDs verified

'Living in a cage': West Bank checkpoints proliferate after Gaza truce

Agence France-Presse

Workers weld a first juncture of the oil pipeline eastern Siberia on Oct. 13, 2006.

Analysis

How significant is Russia-Iran gas pipeline deal via Azerbaijan?

Iran and Russia's partnership continues to expand, as talks of an energy pipeline to transport Russian gas to Iran through Azerbaijan take shape.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

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

Arbel Yehud, centre, is on the release list but her partner Ariel Cunio, at left, is not

Gaza hostage families conflicted over those not on release list

Agence France-Presse

An oil tanker unloads imported crude oil at Qingdao port in China's eastern Shandong province on May 9, 2022. (AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

How China could complicate Trump's Middle East calculus

From Iran to Yemen, China could derail Trump’s efforts to rein Tehran, punish the Houthis and promote American manufacturing.

Joyce Karam

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional geopolitics, China in the Middle East

Lebanese soldiers patrol along a residential area that was devastated by the war between Israel and Hezbollah, in the southern coastal town of Naqura, on the border with Israel on Jan. 22, 2025.

Israel delays Lebanon withdrawal deadline: What we know

Israel cites Hezbollah’s failure to meet the terms of the ceasefire deal and doubts about the Lebanese army’s readiness as reasons for the delay.

Ozlem Yenigul at “The Desire to Feel At Home Everywhere.” (Nazlan Ertan)

Culture

AL-Monitor Istanbul: Identity, belonging and the search for home

We take a thematic turn in this week’s newsletter, delving into migration, belonging and the idea of feeling at home.

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan attends a session on the closing day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on Jan. 19, 2024.

Exclusive

Saudi finance minister hints kingdom could meet 2030 renewables target early

On Monday, the kingdom commissioned its largest battery energy storage system to its grid, with a capacity of 500 megawatts and the ability to store 2,000 megawatt hours of electricity.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Palestinian activist Khalida Jarrar, a prominent figure in the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, emerges white-haired and pale-faced from six months of solitary confinement in an Israeli jail.

Freed Palestinian activist recounts difficult times in Israeli jail

Agence France-Presse

Demonstrators in Huthi-controlled Sanaa rally to denounce Israel and in solidarity with the Palestinians

Yemen's Huthis say support for Palestinians led to US terrorist designation

Agence France-Presse

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (R) speaks with visiting Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan on Thursday

Saudi FM says confident of reform under new Lebanon leaders

Agence France-Presse

Lit Fest

Culture

AL-Monitor Dubai: Emirates Literature Festival returns

Syrian-American journalist Hala Gorani will join the festival next week to discuss her memoir, “But You Don’t Look Arab.”

United Arab Emirates

Iraqi men unload humanitarian aid supplies provided by USAID to displaced Iraqis who have fled clashes between Islamic State group jihadists and Peshmerga fighters on Oct. 2, 2014, in the town of Daquq.

‘People are anxious’: USAID staff rattled by Trump's foreign aid freeze

Humanitarian organizations were bracing for foreign aid cuts but were taken aback when President Donald Trump issued a sweeping executive order pausing assistance for the next 90 days.