Antoun Issa Antoun Issa was a news editor for Al-Monitor's Beirut bureau. On Twitter: @antissa Near East | Jan 8, 2015 Al-Qaeda challenges Islamic State with Paris attack Al-Qaeda's deadly terror attack in Paris may have been an attempt to restate its relevance and effectiveness in its global jihadist struggle with the Islamic State. Syria | Sep 4, 2014 Syria, West explore cooperation to fight Islamic State Western intelligence officials have reportedly reached out to the Syrian government on potential cooperation over the Islamic State threat, but so far little progress has been made. Iraq | Jun 13, 2014 Khatib blames regional countries for prolonging Syria war Former Syrian opposition leader Moaz al-Khatib says he's open to negotiations with both the Syrian and Iranian governments as a matter of "principle" to help end the bloodshed in Syria. Bahrain | Jun 13, 2014 Bassiouni: Bahrain's progress limited by 'piecemeal' approach to reforms In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, International human rights lawyer Cherif Bassiouni, who headed the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry in 2011, says Bahrain needs to address the core socioeconomic problems that are fueling continued unrest. Palestine | Jun 13, 2014 Barghouti says Israel must end 'profitable occupation' In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, veteran Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti, who played a key role in negotiating the latest reconciliation deal, provides new details on the unity negotiations and what comes next. Iraq | Jun 12, 2014 Syria's Muslim Brotherhood rules out talks with Iran Hassan Hachimi, the head of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood's political bureau, discusses Syrian opposition politics and alleges Iranian support for the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). Syria | Apr 4, 2014 Syria's moderate rebels still losing ground to extremists The ascendance of Islamic groups among Syria's opposition has clouded prospects for more advanced weapons to be provided to moderate factions. Syria | Feb 2, 2014 Syrian opposition cites 'momentum' after Geneva talks Representatives of the Syrian National Coalition concluded the Geneva II peace talks in a "positive spirit," although there are still questions about the group’s influence with armed groups and the opposition inside Syria. Syria | Jan 31, 2014 Syrian foreign minister calls for national unity government In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Walid Moallem, Syria's minister of foreign affairs and expatriates, said that the Syrian National Coalition's rejection of a resolution condemning terrorism was "unfortunate and strange." Saudi Arabia | Jan 16, 2014 Splits in Syrian opposition coalition ahead of vote The Syrian National Coalition is likely to vote ‘yes’ to attend Geneva II, but it could prompt a splinter within the group. Pagination Show more Latest News Yemenis at Asian Games divided by war, united by sport by Bassem Raouas | AFP | Sep 30, 2023 Ex-barracks on frontline as more migrants reach Germany by Céline LE PRIOUX | AFP | Sep 29, 2023 Women play 'prominent' role as hundreds protest in Syria Agence France-Presse | AFP | Sep 29, 2023 See more Podcasts Will Armenia’s land border with Iran be Azerbaijan’s next target after Nagorno-Karabakh, asks analyst Benjamin Poghosyan See more
Near East | Jan 8, 2015 Al-Qaeda challenges Islamic State with Paris attack Al-Qaeda's deadly terror attack in Paris may have been an attempt to restate its relevance and effectiveness in its global jihadist struggle with the Islamic State.
Syria | Sep 4, 2014 Syria, West explore cooperation to fight Islamic State Western intelligence officials have reportedly reached out to the Syrian government on potential cooperation over the Islamic State threat, but so far little progress has been made.
Iraq | Jun 13, 2014 Khatib blames regional countries for prolonging Syria war Former Syrian opposition leader Moaz al-Khatib says he's open to negotiations with both the Syrian and Iranian governments as a matter of "principle" to help end the bloodshed in Syria.
Bahrain | Jun 13, 2014 Bassiouni: Bahrain's progress limited by 'piecemeal' approach to reforms In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, International human rights lawyer Cherif Bassiouni, who headed the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry in 2011, says Bahrain needs to address the core socioeconomic problems that are fueling continued unrest.
Palestine | Jun 13, 2014 Barghouti says Israel must end 'profitable occupation' In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, veteran Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti, who played a key role in negotiating the latest reconciliation deal, provides new details on the unity negotiations and what comes next.
Iraq | Jun 12, 2014 Syria's Muslim Brotherhood rules out talks with Iran Hassan Hachimi, the head of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood's political bureau, discusses Syrian opposition politics and alleges Iranian support for the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).
Syria | Apr 4, 2014 Syria's moderate rebels still losing ground to extremists The ascendance of Islamic groups among Syria's opposition has clouded prospects for more advanced weapons to be provided to moderate factions.
Syria | Feb 2, 2014 Syrian opposition cites 'momentum' after Geneva talks Representatives of the Syrian National Coalition concluded the Geneva II peace talks in a "positive spirit," although there are still questions about the group’s influence with armed groups and the opposition inside Syria.
Syria | Jan 31, 2014 Syrian foreign minister calls for national unity government In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Walid Moallem, Syria's minister of foreign affairs and expatriates, said that the Syrian National Coalition's rejection of a resolution condemning terrorism was "unfortunate and strange."
Saudi Arabia | Jan 16, 2014 Splits in Syrian opposition coalition ahead of vote The Syrian National Coalition is likely to vote ‘yes’ to attend Geneva II, but it could prompt a splinter within the group.
Will Armenia’s land border with Iran be Azerbaijan’s next target after Nagorno-Karabakh, asks analyst Benjamin Poghosyan