Middle Orient

Geopolitics in orbit: What Gulf moonshots mean for Washington

For the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, the roadway to the future leads all the way to space. The extraterrestrial frontier represents the potential of securing long-term economic resilience, global prestige, and an influential role in the next era of international competition and cooperation. Space is a critical sector …

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What the US troop drawdown means for post-Assad Syria

On 18 April, the Pentagon confirmed a significant reduction in US troop levels in Syria, marking a new phase in America’s military involvement in the country. This move follows a brief surge in deployments during 2024 when the number of US personnel in Syria rose to 2,000 after roughly 900 …

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Abbas’s rebuke of Hamas is a deathblow for Palestinian unity

In a fiery speech last Wednesday, Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas lashed out at Hamas, calling them “sons of dogs” and demanding that they release the remaining Israeli captives, disarm, and hand over control of Gaza to the PA. “Hamas has given the criminal occupation [Israel] excuses to commit …

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UK In Talks With France, Saudi Arabia Over Palestinian Statehood

The British government is in talks with its French and Saudi counterparts over official recognition of a Palestinian state, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has revealed. Discussions are set to take place at a conference at the UN in June, The Guardian reported. So far, 160 countries recognize Palestine, including …

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Iraq’s Foreign Minister Warns of Resurgence of ISIS Threat, Urges Regional Stability

“We are committed to distancing Iraq from regional wars,” Hussein said. “Baghdad does not desire escalation in the region.” Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein warned that the threat posed by ISIS has resurfaced, cautioning that the extremist group is actively regrouping and planning attacks. His remarks came in a special …

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Israel strikes near Syria’s presidential palace in ‘message’ to new leader Sharaa

Israel bombed an area near the presidential palace in Damascus early on Friday, in its clearest warning yet to Syria’s new Islamist-led authorities of its readiness to ramp up military action in the name of the country’s Druze minority.Syria’s government called the bombing a “dangerous escalation” amid increasing hostility between …

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Official: Lebanese army has dismantled over 90% of Hezbollah infrastructure near border

Iran-backed terror group has withdrawn north of the Litani River without fight, security official claims, as President Aoun says full deployment hindered by IDF control of 5 posts The Lebanese army has dismantled “over 90 percent” of Hezbollah’s infrastructure near the border with Israel since a November ceasefire, a security …

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Jordan’s Muslim Brotherhood Ban A Turning Point – OpEd

Jordan’s decision to formally ban all activities of the dissolved Muslim Brotherhood marks a watershed moment in the kingdom’s modern political history — a decision that could reverberate well beyond its borders. Announced by Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya on Wednesday, the move came on the heels of a shocking revelation: …

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Iraq’s Path To Energy Security Is Taking Shape – Analysis

Iraq is moving to achieve energy security by diversifying its energy sources and reducing reliance on imports of Iranian electricity and natural gas. A warning that expeditious action is needed was the removal of the U.S. sanctions waiver that allowed Iraq to import electricity from Iran. While Iranian electricity is …

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Hamas: No partial truce, only comprehensive deal with war-ending guarantees acceptable

Ahead of the forthcoming Egyptian-mediated ceasefire negotiations, the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has emphasized the necessity of a comprehensive agreement with the Israeli regime, as opposed to a partial one, ensuring the termination of the genocidal war in the besieged Gaza Strip. Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi made the remarks …

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