Rai al-Youm: Raisi to Riyadh

Originally posted on Levant's Agora:
By Abdel Bari Atwan. The Iranian-Saudi reconciliation is proceeding apace — but the US could still try to sink it The Saudi-Iranian entente launched by the signing of last week’s Chinese-sponsored bilateral agreements quickly moved towards the full normalisation of relations and ‘zeroing’ of all problems between the two…

The Assad-Putin summit in Moscow

If a four-way (Russia, Iran, Syria, and Turkey) meeting of foreign ministers is agreed upon, it could herald a breakthrough in the Syria-Turkey crisis that meets Syria’s terms and paves the way for a meeting between Assad and Erdogan.

Rebuildsyria.cz: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia-Iran Treaty – A Flash for “Better Times”?

Originally posted on Levant's Agora:
By Ondřej Krátký. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (hereafter KSA) has concluded an agreement with Iran, which, according to a joint statement, should mean the end of hostilities between the two states. Since it happened with the significant contribution of China, it is tempting to interpret the whole thing…

Several large, and delicate, elephants in the room in New Delhi by G20

There will be several large, and delicate, elephants in the room in New Delhi today as Group of 20 foreign ministers kick off their meeting. Unlike the Group of Seven developed nations, which are tightly bound in their stance against Russia over its war in Ukraine, the broader G-20 showcases all sorts of complications and

The forgotten Syria

With the war in Ukraine, it looks like the press has no attention any more to another country, located on the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea in southwestern Asia, where Russia also provided a lot of atrocities. Syria has become oblivious. In 1970 Syria came under the authoritarian rule of Alawite Pres. Hafez al-Assad,

The Telegraph Frontpage for Wednesday 2023 January 25

By Danny Boyle & Sam Hall Berlin is expected to announce a decision today on the export of powerful German-made Leopard 2 battle tanks that have been long sought by Kyiv. We examine what it means for Ukraine’s fight. Germany and United States agree to give Kyiv tanks Could this be a turning point in

The Global Investigative Journalism Network: 2022’s Best Investigative Stories from the Arab World

Originally posted on Levant's Agora:
By Majdoleen Hasan and Chafiq Sroor. Being an investigative journalist in the Middle East and North Africa was immensely challenging in 2022, thanks to the dramatic decline in press freedom in places once considered safer for journalists such as North Africa, the lack of human and financial resources, and…

The Telegraph looking at the world 2022 December 29

Good morning. A landmark review by William Shawcross, pictured above, into the Government’s flagship Prevent programme has found that taxpayers’ money has been handed to groups promoting Islamist extremism. Meanwhile, teachers’ unions fear that ballots for national strike action in 2023 have been put at risk by postal strikes.   Headlines: Today’s essential news China

Independent.ie: Saudis warn Iran is preparing for attack on kingdom

Originally posted on Levant's Agora:
By Aamer Madhani, Associated Press. The heightened concerns about a potential attack on Saudi Arabia come as the Biden administration criticises Tehran for its crackdown on protesters. Saudi Arabia has shared intelligence with American officials that suggests Iran could be preparing for an imminent attack on the kingdom, US…

The Associated Press: Biden warns Saudi Arabia of ‘consequences’ after OPEC+ cuts oil production

Originally posted on Levant's Agora:
By Aamer Madhani. President Joe Biden said Tuesday there will be “consequences” for Saudi Arabia as the Riyadh-led OPEC+ alliance moves to cut oil production and Democratic lawmakers call for a freeze on cooperation with the Saudis. Biden suggested he would soon take action, as aides announced that the…