Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri returns to Beirut in the face of opposition demands that he remain in exile. Years of political repression in Tunisia may be at an end as President Ben Ali flees the country. Iraqi soldiers shoot US counterparts, wounding three. All this and much more, in today
Relations were knocked back when a seemingly innocuous statement snow-balled into a something of much greater consequence last spring. In April the Israeli president, Shimon Peres, set off alarm bells by claiming – without evidence – that Syria was shipping SCUD missiles to Hezbollah.
Avni Dogru summarises the middle east's falling in and out of love with US President Barack Obama. Without a rapid reversal of US policy, it looks as if the downward trend will only accelerate.
UNSC imposes fourth round of sanctions on Iran. Obama meets Abbas and pledges aid. NATO helicopter shot down by Afghan Taliban. Dutch vote at national elections. NATO supply convoy hit in Pakistan. All this and more in today’s security briefing.
US extends sanctions on Syria for a further year. Times Square bomb suspect. Yemeni ship seized by Somali pirates. Greeks take to street in protest at latest package of austerity measures. All this and more in today's update.
The United States treads a narrow tightrope in Middle East diplomacy. Over a hundred insurgents are killed in a bloody clash in Chad. South Korean and Chinese Presidents discuss the sinking of the Cheonan. Five rebels are killed in the Philippines ahead of national elections. All this and more, in
Egypt convicts Hezbollah suspects. Human Rights Watch says Iraq torture routine. Blast in Peshawar kills four policemen. Migrants in Mexico face 'human rights crisis.' Sahara states to escalate anti-al Qaeda mission. US begins inquiry into spy network in Pakistan. All this and more in today’s secu
Hassan Nasrallah meets with Bashar al-Assad and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Damascus. A suicide attack kills seventeen in Kabul. A previously banned judgement on MI5’s use of torture is published. All this and more, in today’s security update.
Mossad is accused of complicity in assassination of top Hamas official in Dubai. Russia and Abkhazia sign deal to build joint military base. Cluster munitions treaty to enter force this year. US reinstates ties with Syria. US drone attack kills three in Pakistan. More journalists killed in 2009 th
Wealthy nations are accused of 'carbon colonialism' as leaked climate draft sparks anger. General McChrystal welcomes the new surge-and-exit strategy in Afghanistan. Fourteen wounded as Malaysian PM visits Thai south. No deal yet on Israel's Shalit according to Palestinian Authority. Iraq's Prime
