For most outside observers of the Kremlin, Russia‘s policymaking process is an inscrutable monolith, with decisions taken exclusively by President Vladimir Putin and any dissent stifled behind closed doors. In reality, however, within the Russian political elite, there is a good number of competing political interests and visions which clash on a regular basis. Policies are often the product of Putin playing a… Read more »
US-backed fighters have said they are keeping a corridor open to rescue remaining civilians from the last sliver of territory held by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) in Syria, as the UN appeals for urgent assistance. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have evacuated nearly 5,000 men, women and children from the holdout in the eastern Syrian village of Baghouz since Wednesday, bringing the US-backed SDF… Read more »
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sharply criticised his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi after the recent execution of nine people in Egypt, saying he refused to talk to “someone like him”. “They killed nine young people recently. This is not something we can accept,” Erdogan said on Saturday in an interview with Turkish TV channels CNN-Turk and Kanal D, referring to the execution on Wednesday… Read more »
Israeli police briefly detained the head of the Islamic authority that oversees Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem early on Sunday following recent protests there. Sheikh Abdelazeem Salhab was appointed to head the Waqf by neighbouring Jordan, which strongly protested the arrest. Jordan’s minister of Islamic affairs, Abdul Nasser Abul al-Basal, said the Israeli action was “dangerous and an unacceptable escalation” that… Read more »
At least 20 people have been killed in Syria when a landmine planted by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) exploded under a van carrying farm workers, state-run SANA news agency reported. The blast took place near the central town of Salamiyeh in Hama province on Sunday morning, SANA said, and was caused by explosives left behind… Read more »
Princess Reema bint Bandar al-Saud of Saudi Arabia, has been chosen to become the next ambassador to the United States. She is the first woman in Saudi Arabia to take on such a role in international diplomacy. The announcement was made by royal decree on Saturday, February 23. Princess Reema is specifically fitted for her new role, as she spent… Read more »
JERUSALEM — With seven weeks left until Israelis go to the polls, the two most likely candidates to become the country’s next prime minister, incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu and newcomer Benny Gantz — both highly decorated former Israeli army officers — have taken aim, at each other. On Tuesday night, at a rally of his Israel Resilience Party, Gantz launched a direct… Read more »
Thousands of protesters gathered in the Gaza Stripon Sunday to call for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to resign after his attempts to pressure Hamas with financial cuts in the impoverished enclave. The pro-Hamas crowd gathered at al-Sarya square yelled for the long-serving leader to “leave” and called on the PA to pay the full salaries of public sector employees in Gaza. They also demonstrated… Read more »
A Swiss military court has sentenced a former soldier for fighting against the Islamic State group in Syria. Johan Cosar used his military training to recruit hundreds of men to defend Christian groups from IS. He was found guilty of undermining Switzerland’s neutrality and security by joining a foreign army – and given a three-month suspended sentence and fined 500… Read more »
Saudi Arabia has announced that Princess Reema bint Bandar al-Saud will become its next ambassador to the US – the first woman ever to take on an envoy role for the kingdom. Her appointment was made public in a royal decree on Saturday. Princess Reema spent part of her childhood living in Washington DC. She assumes the role at a… Read more »