The destruction of priceless historical treasures in Iraq by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) proves that we do not deserve these treasures that fill our museums and lie buried beneath our sands. We in the Arab world live surrounded by a great heritage, and yet fail to understand its value
It is difficult to understand the ongoing media “campaigns” that are calling for the return of a Saudi–Turkish alliance. What are the reasons behind this? In fact, when was there ever any Saudi–Turkish alliance in the past that anyone can call for “returning” now? The reality is that the
Manama and London, Asharq Al-Awsat—Up to 1 trillion US dollars in slated investments and projects in the global oil industry could be canceled or postponed during the next two years due to the current drop in oil prices, a senior executive from Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil company said on Monday.
Amman, Asharq Al-Awsat—An emergency meeting of senior figures from Jordan’s branch of the Muslim Brotherhood concluded on Tuesday without reaching a solution to the divisions that have recently split the group. Although a number of possible solutions were put forward during the meeting, member
Riyadh and Al-Khobar, Asharq Al-Awsat—In his first major speech since becoming King of Saudi Arabia, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz pledged to help mitigate the impact of plunging oil prices on the Kingdom’s economy and promote stability across the region. In a televised
Sana’a, Asharq Al-Awsat—Yemen’s ruling party on Tuesday joined the Houthi movement in rejecting calls to hold reconciliation talks in Riyadh under the auspices of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, the Deputy Secretary-General of the General People’s Congress (GPC) Faiq
Beirut, Reuters—A video posted online by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants on Tuesday showed a boy fatally shooting Muhammad Musallam, an Israeli Arab accused by the group of having signed up as a jihadi to spy for Israel’s intelligence service. The video, published by the group
Karachi, AP—Pakistan’s largest city was on edge Wednesday after troops raided the headquarters of a well-known political party, arresting about 20 suspects and seizing weapons, a spokesman said. The early morning raid in Karachi, the country’s economic hub, took many in this teeming metr
Iran has knocked on Sana’a’s door, and Riyadh has answered. The Houthi militia, also known as Ansar Allah, in January grabbed the reins of power in Yemen after placing President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, Prime Minister Khaled Bahah, and Minister of Defense Gen. Mahmoud Al-Subaihi under house arrest, a
Washington, DC, Asharq Al-Awsat—The Obama administration has criticized a “partisan” letter sent by Republican senators to the leaders of Iran regarding the country’s ongoing nuclear negotiations with the US and other Western powers. US President Barack Obama and other White House officials on
Sana’a, Asharq Al-Awsat—Yemen’s political factions on Monday welcomed calls for Riyadh to host talks aimed at reaching consensus over the crisis that threatens to plunge the country into civil war. Saudi Arabia on Monday responded to a call from President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi to host talks between
Cairo, Reuters—A suicide bomber killed a civilian and wounded 30 policemen when he tried to ram a water tanker into a police barracks in the Egyptian city of El-Arish on Tuesday, security sources said, the latest in a string of attacks in the Sinai peninsula. In a second assault, a roadside bomb exp
Buenos Aires and Paris, Reuters—Three French sports stars—Olympic swimmer Camille Muffat, yachtswoman Florence Arthaud and boxer Alexis Vastine—were among 10 people killed when two helicopters collided in Argentina on Monday during the filming of a reality TV show. Authorities said it was still uncl
US President Barack Obama has appeared weak and nervous ever since what can only be described as the insult leveled at him by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who exceeded the limits of diplomatic decorum last week when he addressed the US Congress while delivering a stinging indictment of
Erbil, Reuters—Kurdish forces drove Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants back from the oil-rich city of Kirkuk in northern Iraq on Monday, in an advance backed by heavy airstrikes from the US-led coalition fighting the extremist group. Speaking to a local television channel near the fron
Tripoli and Cairo, Reuters—Warplanes from Libya’s internationally recognized government on Monday attacked the last functioning airport in Tripoli, the capital controlled by a rival administration, officials said. Extending a series of tit-for-tat strikes, the attack coincided with the swearin
Thank God for US Secretary of State John Kerry’s recent moves to “reassure” us in the Arab Gulf states regarding the expected deal between Iran and the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) on Tehran’s controversial nuclear program. Washington insists any de
Sana’a and Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat—Yemen’s Defense Minister Gen. Mahmoud Al-Subaihi has fled the Yemeni capital Sana’a, currently under the control of the Shi’ite Houthi movement, to the southern port city of Aden. The news is another blow for the Houthis after Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Had
Moscow, Reuters—Russian authorities said on Sunday they had charged two men over the killing of Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov and said one of them was a former senior policeman from the mainly Muslim region of Chechnya who had confessed to involvement in the crime. The two were among five men, all et
London, Asharq Alawsat—Elahe Boghrat, one of Iran’s leading female journalists, has been nominated for the 2015 Courage in Journalism Award. The annual award has been granted by the International Women’s media Foundation since 1990 and is designed to encourage female journalists across the globe. Am
