Washington, Reuters—Republican Mitt Romney opted out of the 2016 presidential race on Friday after considering whether to run for a third time, telling supporters it is time for the next generation of Republican leaders to seek the White House. “After putting considerable thought into making a
Moscow, Asharq Al-Awsat—The Syrian government said Thursday it was ready to host talks with opposition figures in Damascus to discuss demands for prisoner release and improved humanitarian conditions, according to a key Syria-based opposition group. The talks would likely be held between the governm
Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat—Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Bin Abdulaziz ordered a major cabinet reshuffle and awarded bonuses to all state employees in a string of royal decrees announced by the monarch one week after succeeding his late brother King Abdullah to the throne. Thursday’s cabinet overhau
Beirut, Reuters—Fighting between the Syrian arm of Al-Qaeda and Western-backed rebels in northern Syria spread from Aleppo province into neighboring Idlib on Friday, the rebel group and an organization monitoring the civil war said. Clashes began on Thursday when Al Qaeda’s Syrian wing,
Brussels and Kiev, Reuters—European Union foreign ministers extended existing sanctions against Russia on Thursday, holding off on tighter economic measures for now but winning the support of the new left-leaning government of Greece, whose position had been in doubt. The ministers agreed to extend
In one of those coincidences that adds spice to history, the meeting this week between US President Barack Obama and Saudi Arabia’s new King Salman Bin Abdulaziz also marked the 70th anniversary of the first meeting between the leaders of the two nations. For it was on January 23, 1945 that US Presi
Amman, AP—Jordan on Thursday demanded proof from Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants that a Jordanian pilot they are holding is still alive, despite purported threats by the group to kill the airman at sunset unless an Al-Qaeda prisoner is freed from death row in Jordan. The militants&#
Kuala Lumpur, Reuters—Malaysia declared on Thursday the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 an accident, clearing the way for the airline to pay compensation to victims’ relatives while the search for the plane goes on. The Boeing 777 aircraft disappeared on March 8 last year, carr
Baghdad, Asharq Al-Awsat—Iraq’s government has announced it has officially approved the creation of a National Guard force to assist in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Earlier this week, Iraq’s cabinet agreed to the formation of National Guard forces, tasking a co
Moscow, Asharq Al-Awsat—Moscow is the only place where the Syrian opposition and the government of President Bashar Al-Assad can negotiate a political settlement for the Syrian conflict, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told Asharq Al-Awsat on Wednesday. Members of various Syrian opp
Beirut, Asharq Al-Awsat—Lebanon’s government is seeking to “minimize” the repercussions of the latest standoff between Israel and Hezbollah along Lebanon’s southern borders, Lebanese Information Minister Ramzi Jarih told Asharq Al-Awsat on Wednesday. Jarih did not rule out a strong Israeli mil
So far, there has been no indication that Saudi Arabia intends to change the direction of its foreign policy, either partially or completely. Saudi policy is usually set in stone, though the world around the Kingdom has changed a lot. Therefore it’s not necessary for the state’s policy to remain unc
Tokyo, AP—Japan said it was putting its trust in Jordan to help gain the release of a Japanese journalist held by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants, after the latest message purportedly from his captors extended until sundown Thursday in the Middle East the deadline for the Jordanians
Sydney, AP—A hostage who died during a siege in a downtown Sydney cafe was killed when she was struck by fragments of a bullet fired from a police officer’s gun as authorities stormed in to end the 16-hour standoff, a lawyer told an inquest on Thursday. Katrina Dawson, a 38-year-old lawyer who
Athens, Reuters—Leftwing Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras threw down an open challenge to international creditors on Wednesday by halting privatization plans agreed under the country’s bailout deal, prompting a third day of heavy losses on financial markets. A swift series of announcements
Damascus, Asharq Al-Awsat—As Syria’s archaeological gems are flattened and looted in the midst of war, one Syrian fashion designer is bringing the ancient civilization of Mari back to life on the catwalk. Nozha Abdelmohsen creates robes and dresses inspired by the kings and queens of the royal Mesop
Sana’a and Aden, Reuters/Asharq Al-Awsat—Yemen’s Southern Al-Hirak secessionist movement is poised to take further steps towards breaking away from the rest of the country and restoring the former state of South Yemen, according to political sources in the country. This comes as the Shi’ite Houthi m
Jerusalem, AP—The Lebanese Hezbollah group claimed responsibility for firing a missile that targeted an Israeli military convoy on Wednesday, an attack that prompted Israel to fire at least 50 artillery shells into Lebanon in a significant escalation along the volatile border. In a statement, Hezbol
Two highly significant diplomatic messages were sent during US President Barack Obama’s four-hour visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. The first came from Washington when President Obama deliberately headed a large, high-ranking delegation from the government and the Republican and Democratic parties.
Riyadh, Reuters—US President Barack Obama met with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman on Tuesday to pay respects to the late King Abdullah and bolster a relationship that now stretches well beyond oil interests to security cooperation across the volatile Gulf Arab region. King Salman, in his first off
