Iran stands with Russia in the war against Ukraine, but clashes with Turkey’s plans in Syria at summit
July 22nd, 20220 Russian President Vladimir Putin ended his first major summit outside Russia since the invasion of Ukraine with an endorsement from Iran for its response to NATO, a clash with Turkey over Syria and signs of progress over the lifting of the Russian blockade of Ukrainian grain. The White House said the Tehran summit held between Putin,...
In Syria, a poor wheat harvest adds to food worries
July 22nd, 20220 Poor rainfall, fuel shortages, soaring fertilizer prices: It's been a bad year for farmers in northeastern Syria, where a disappointing wheat crop looks set to deal another blow to food supplies in a country grappling with climate change and war. Farmer Mohamed Hussein said he planted around a fifth of the area he would usually...
How much extra oil can Saudi Arabia pump?
July 19th, 20220 SAUDI ARABIA — President Biden's visit in recent days to top oil exporter Saudi Arabia ended without any announcements that the kingdom would raise oil production to help lower fuel prices which are spurring the highest U.S. inflation in four decades. Top U.S. energy envoy Amos Hochstein told a television program on Sunday that...
Nasrallah: “no one” will extract gas from maritime zone if Lebanon is unable to do so
July 15th, 20220 Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah had strong words on Wednesday about a maritime oil dispute between Lebanon and Israel. Nasrallah warned that "no one" would be allowed to operate in maritime oil and gas fields if Lebanon was barred from its "rights" in extracting from areas off of its own coast. "If Lebanon is prevented...
On Israeli trip, Biden reiterates commitment to Israel, reaffirms two-state solution
July 15th, 20220 In his Middle East trip, President Biden reiterated his support for for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, amid a backdrop of deep skepticism from Palestinians and international human rights groups that the U.S. leader is willing to give more than lip service to Palestinians living under a brutal occupation. Biden met with...
Biden will push for greater oil output on Mideast trip
July 12th, 20220 WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. President Biden will make the case for greater oil production from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) nations to bring down gasoline prices when he meets Gulf leaders in Saudi Arabia this week, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Monday. Biden leaves Tuesday...
The Hajj is back and Saudi Arabia is hoping to cash in
July 9th, 20220 — This article by Abbas Al Lawati originally appeared in CNN Business. It has been edited for style. Oil has added trillions of dollars to Saudi Arabia’s coffers over the decades, but it’s a resource that will someday run out or lose value as the world turns to alternative energy. Despite current high oil prices, the kingdom...
Analysis: Political and banking deadlock may plunge Lebanon deeper into crisis
July 2nd, 20220 BEIRUT – Lebanon’s untamed financial crisis is gathering new menace as it heads into a fourth year, with political paralysis dampening hope of reforms that could unlock foreign support and stave off social turmoil, according to analysts, lawmakers and former officials. The emergency gripping the small country squeezed between Syria...
Biden says he won’t directly ask Saudi Arabia to produce more oil
July 1st, 20220 President Biden said on Thursday he would not directly press Saudi Arabia to increase oil output to curb soaring crude prices when he sees the Saudi king and crown prince during a visit later this month. Biden also said at a news conference in Spain that Americans will have to stomach high gas prices for "as long as it takes" to beat...
A Palestinian bride celebrates in the rubble of her demolished Jerusalem home
June 29th, 20220 JERUSALEM — Rabeha Rajabi did not think she would be holding her wedding celebrations in the rubble of her own home in Occupied East Jerusalem, until Israeli authorities destroyed it. "Before any blow hit the house, it hit our hearts," said Rajabi, a Palestinian, speaking among the debris and donning a traditional Palestinian thobe...
U.N. investigation says Shireen Abu Akleh was killed by Israeli forces
June 28th, 20220 A U.N. investigation has revealed that the shots that killed renowned Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh and injured her colleagues in the Occupied West Bank in May came from Israeli forces. The U.N. Human Rights Office made the announcement on June 24. The conclusion also refutes Israel's claim that the shots came...
Lebanon’s Mikati named PM, urges action to secure IMF deal
June 24th, 20220 BEIRUT — Lebanon's Najib Mikati was named prime minister on Thursday, urging fractious politicians to set aside differences to secure an IMF deal which he said was the only chance to save the country from financial collapse. Facing a politically difficult path to agreeing on a new cabinet, the billionaire tycoon who led three...
Lebanese PM Mikati likely to be nominated again amid deep crisis
June 22nd, 20220 BEIRUT — Lebanon's caretaker premier Najib Mikati will likely be nominated for a new term on Thursday, political sources said, keeping him at the helm as the country prepares for steep financial and political challenges in the months ahead. If re-installed, Mikati will have to steer Lebanon through an economic recovery plan that...
Palestinians “are bound to win”: Why Israelis are prophesying the end of their state
June 19th, 20220 While it is true that Zionism is a modern political ideology that has exploited religion to achieve specific colonial objectives in Palestine, prophecies continue to be a critical component of Israel’s perception of itself, and of the state’s relationship to other groups, especially Christian messianic groups in the United States and...
Bullet that killed Shireen Abu Akleh was American made, used by Israeli forces
June 17th, 20220 PALESTINE — A photo of the bullet that killed renowned Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh has been recovered by the news agency she long worked for. Al Jazeera said Thursday it had obtained an image of the bullet used to kill the veteran journalist in the occupied West Bank last month while covering an Israeli......
Biden to visit Saudi Arabia, Israel amid a backdrop of the two nations’ terrible human rights record
June 17th, 20220 WASHINGTON, D.C. — The White House confirmed dates and some details on President Biden’s July trip to the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and Israel, amid concerns over the human rights records of both countries. Human rights advocates are critical of Biden’s July 13-16 trip, which will include a meeting with the...
American “Aid” to Ukraine may hurt more than help
June 14th, 20220 — This article by retired Lieutenant Colonel William J. Astore originally appeared in Bracing War. It has been edited for style. “Follow the money” is sage advice in an America that prides itself on unfettered capitalism where everything is a commodity. A huge chunk of money, namely $54 billion, has already been dedicated......
Biden should not visit Saudi Arabia, meet crown prince, Democratic Rep. Schiff says
June 5th, 20220 WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Biden should not visit Saudi Arabia or meet its Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who approved an operation to capture or kill murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi, according to U.S. intelligence, a leading Democratic lawmaker said on Sunday. Khashoggi, a U.S. resident who wrote opinion columns for the...
Maker of Pillsbury products divests from Israel, after multi-year boycott campaign
June 3rd, 20220 After two years of calls by human rights campaigners, General Mills, the company that produces the popular Pillsbury brand of products, has divested its Israeli business. The calls came from a diverse set of organizations and interests, including the Quaker organization American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), which promotes "a...
Long marginalized, the “Right of Return” is once more a Palestinian priority
May 30th, 20220 The Nakba is back on the Palestinian agenda. For nearly three decades, Palestinians were told that the Nakba — or Catastrophe — is a thing of the past. That real peace requires compromises and sacrifices, therefore, the original sin that has led to the destruction of their historic homeland should be entirely removed from any...
Iraq makes it illegal to attempt normalizing ties with Israel
May 28th, 20220 BAGHDAD – Iraq's parliament approved a law on Thursday that will ban normalizing relations with Israel, at a time when several Arab countries have established formal ties. The Iraqi parliament has been unable to convene on any other issue, including electing a new president and forming its own government, prolonging a political......
Biden administration seeks Lebanese intelligence chief’s help in freeing Americans held in Syria
May 28th, 20221 BEIRUT — Lebanon’s intelligence chief said Thursday that he met with Biden administration officials this week to discuss ways he could help secure the release of six Americans who are being held prisoner or are missing in Syria, including Austin Tice, a freelance journalist who contributed to The Washington Post. Maj. Gen. Abbas...
Ohio man charged in foiled plot to kill former President George W. Bush
May 27th, 20220 An Iraqi asylum seeker living in Ohio was arrested and charged by federal authorities for aiding and abetting a failed plot to assassinate former President George W. Bush. According to authorities, Shihab Ahmed Shihab, 52, told an FBI informant in November that he wanted to target Bush because he was “responsible for killing many......
Nine cases of monkeypox confirmed in seven states
May 26th, 20220 WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) said it has identified nine monkeypox cases in seven states across the country as of Wednesday. Symptoms include fever and a distinctive bumpy rash. Cases were confirmed in Massachusetts, Florida, Utah, Washington, California, Virginia and New York. As of...
People in the U.S. don’t support the Gaza blockade. Why won’t congress take action?
May 20th, 20220 By Michael Merryman-Lotze, Truthout Jamea Shalout’s home in Rafah, Gaza consists of two rooms built of cinder blocks and cement. In the room where I met her in late 2019, the only personal belongings visible were the sleeping mats that the family lays out at night and a pile of blankets. Across a dirt courtyard, there is a small......
