Archives for August, 2025

Missiles and UAV's are showed for the people on the side of the road in Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 11, 2024.

Analysis

Missiles and brinkmanship: Iran hardens stance in nuclear standoff

With its missile drills and harsh rhetoric, Tehran is doubling down on deterrence to warn the United States and Israel against contemplating military action.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Caspar Veldkamp resigned as Dutch foreign minister after cabinet failed to agree new sanctions against Israel

Dutch foreign minister resigns over Israel sanctions showdown

Agence France-Presse

Former National Security Adviser John Bolton speaks at a panel hosted by the National Council of Resistance of Iran – U.S. Representative Office (NCRI-US) at the Willard InterContinental Hotel on Aug. 17, 2022 in Washington, DC.

FBI raids home of Iran hawk and Trump critic John Bolton: What to know

The Trump administration accused former adviser John Bolton of releasing classified material with the publication of his memoir, while Turkey took issue with an excerpt on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Smoke billows over a neighborhood of Sulaimaniyah, east of the autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq, after security forces arrested opposition figure Lahur Sheikh Jangi, following several hours of armed clashes on Aug. 22, 2025.

Analysis

Iraqi Kurdish factional feuds erupt anew with violent arrest of Lahur Talabani

Violent clashes in Sulaimaniyah underscore long-standing political tensions and a scramble for influence in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

From Kuwait to Turkey, why are countries cracking down on Roblox?

The fast-growing gaming platform has been banned in countries including China, Iran, Oman, Qatar, and Turkey.

Iran wants the International Atomic Energy Agency to wrap up its investigation into past nuclear activities as part of any new deal with major powers

Iran, Europeans to meet as snapback sanctions loom

Agence France-Presse

FILE PHOTO: Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and a woman hold a map that shows the long-frozen E1 settlement scheme, that would split East Jerusalem from the occupied West Bank, on the day of a press conference near the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, August 14, 2025. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/File Photo

EU, UK, Australian foreign ministers condemn Israel's new settlement plan

Reuters

Divers watch as a crane pulls an artifact from the waters at Abu Qir bay in Alexandria on Aug. 21, 2025, as part of an event organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to recover sunken antiquities.

Culture

From the depths: Egypt raises archaeological relics from sunken city

The raising of three massive artifacts from an ancient sunken city in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Alexandria is Egypt's first such operation in 25 years.

A view shows the building of Norway’s central bank (Norges Bank) in Oslo, Norway, June 23, 2022. REUTERS/Victoria Klesty

Analysis-Norway's giant fund in election crosshairs over Israel investments

Reuters

A container ship passes in front of Haydarpasa Port as it navigates the Bosphorus Strait on May 2, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Turkey blocks Israel-linked ships from using its ports: What to know

Ship operators must declare vessels have no ties to Israel under new restrictions.

The inaugural ride of Kenya's newly acquired Standard Gauge Railway locomotive pulls into Voi railway station on May 31, 2017, in Voi, Kenya.

China, UAE are transforming African economies, but on whose terms?

China and the UAE are racing to get ahead in Africa’s economic future, each using a different playbook.

United Arab Emirates

FILE PHOTO: Palestinians wait to receive food from a charity kitchen, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, August 21, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled/File Photo

Factbox-How the IPC global hunger monitor determines famine

Reuters

More than three quarters of Gaza's population will face famine by the end of September, the UN estimates

UN declares famine in Gaza, first ever in Middle East

Agence France-Presse

Botswana Qatar

Qatari royal expands Africa push with $12B in Botswana after $39B in DRC, Zambia

A Qatari delegation began a tour of 10 African countries on Aug. 13 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, to explore investment opportunities.

Palestinians watch as a plume of smoke rises during an Israeli strike on Gaza City's southern al-Zeitoun neighbourhood on Aug. 8, 2025.

Analysis

As Israel moves on Gaza City and calls for Hamas talks, Trump remains silent

Opposition leaders have offered Prime Minister Netanyahu a "safety net" for a ceasefire, vowing to support his government if extremists try to bring it down as a result of a deal.

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

FILE PHOTO: A woman mourns next to an effigy symbolising dead Palestinians as people protest against Israel and in solidarity with Palestinian children in Gaza, at Potsdamer Platz, in Berlin, Germany, August 3, 2025. REUTERS/Nadja Wohlleben/File Photo

German government calls recognition of Palestinian state 'counterproductive'

Reuters