Asharq Al-Awsat Editorial

Editorial desk and wire-service reports (AFP, Reuters, AP) as published in the Asharq Al-Awsat English Edition. This archive preserves the original text (2005–2017); attribution appears in the article dateline where provided by the source.

54082 articles
World

Hollande in the Line of Fire in Iraq

Baghdad, Erbil-As a series of explosions hit Iraq, French President Francois Hollande set foot in Baghdad where he met with Iraqi President Fouad Masoum, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and Speaker Salim al-Jabouri. The French president then headed on Monday to Erbil where he and President of Iraqi K

ISIS in One Year … between Expansion, Collapse

Rabat- On December 28, 2016, the Iraqi Forces kicked off the second phase of Mosul’s liberation after it was postponed many times for logistic and climate reasons. This extended operation came in coincidence with the joining of the Sultanate of Oman to the Saudi-led Arab-Islamic Coalition to combat

Deputy Leader of Libya’s GNA Resigns

A deputy leader of Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) announced his resignation on Monday, saying the U.N.-backed administration had failed to tackle urgent problems arising from years of conflict and political disarray. The resignation of Musa al-Koni casts doubt on the future of the

World

Terror Attack Plotter Arrested in Germany

A Syrian immigrant who arrived in Germany two years ago has been arrested under suspicions of attempting to secure funds for the terror group ISIS to drive truck bombs into a crowd, a German state prosecutor’s office said on Monday. The man has admitted to contacting ISIS, but denied he had an

World

ISIS Suicide Bomber Kills 36 in Baghdad Market

A suicide bomber driving a pickup loaded with explosives struck a sprawling market in Baghdad on Monday, killing at least 36 people in an attack claimed by the ISIS group hours after French President Francois Hollande arrived in the Iraqi capital. The bomb went off in a fruit and vegetable market th

ISIS Claims Istanbul Attack, Gunman Remains at Large

The ISIS terrorist group claimed responsibility on Monday for the New Year’s attack at a packed Istanbul nightclub that killed 39 people and wounded scores of others, including many foreigners as well as Turks. Turkey’s anti-terrorism squads meanwhile detained eight people in connection to the

Opinion: Turkey – The Terrorists’ First Target

Two attacks have shaken Turkey in the last twelve days. The first was when a police officer who was affiliated to the wolves of ISIS killed Russia’s ambassador at an art gallery in Ankara, and the second took place on New Year’s Eve when a terrorist disguised as Santa Claus attacked a ni

Horrid Events Hit Jordan in 2016

Amman- Jordan witnessed in 2016 unprecedented political and security events along with many terrorist acts. As per the important political incidents, during 2016, His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan accepted the resignation of the government led by Abdullah Ensour and appointed Hani al-Malki to c

Tristate Summit to Resolve Libyan Crisis

Cairo – Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi revealed preparing for a tristate summit that includes Algeria, Egypt and Tunisia to resolve the Libyan crisis – meanwhile al-Wefaq government appointed a member of the parliament as the head of intelligence body in Tripoli. Essebsi announced

Israeli Right-wing Bargains Assad to Joulan

Tal Aviv- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the conflict in Syria and “continued security cooperation”, his office said. “The two leaders discussed developments in the region, with emphasis on Syria and con

Is America at its Greatest what Trump has in Mind?

For America, 2016 was a dark year. The country was still at war. Our election was a brutal grudge match that left us more polarized than ever. Our closest allies were rocked by terrorism and turmoil. Adversaries toyed with our politics. Even the basic facts about life and science seemed to be in dis

Sadr Calls for Change in National Iraqi Alliance

Baghdad, London – Two days after Shi’ite Supreme Religious Authority Ali Sistani refused to receive the National Iraqi Alliance delegation, Sadrist Movement Leader Muqtada al-Sadr said this was a “public rejection” for the current alliance. Sadr issued a statement saying that coalition should

ISIS Claims Responsibility for Najaf Suicide Attack

Najaf – Ultra-hardline terror group ISIS staged a fierce attack against a police checkpoint near the southern Iraqi city of Najaf on Sunday, killing seven policemen. The horrific attack was seen as retaliation to government forces making sweeping advances against militants in Mosul, their last