Baghdad, AP—Unshaken by the latest surge in violence, Iraqis braved the threat of bombs and attacks to vote Wednesday in key elections for a new parliament amid a massive security operation as the country slides deeper into sectarian strife. Hundreds of thousands of troops and police fanned out to g
Horlikva, AP— Ukraine’s police and security forces are “helpless” to quell unrest in two eastern regions bordering Russia, and in some cases are cooperating with pro-Russian gunmen who have seized scores of government buildings and taken people hostage, the country’s presiden
Munich, Reuters—Real Madrid tore apart Bayern Munich’s ragged defense with a ruthless first-half display as they thrashed the defending champions 4-0 in their own stadium to reach their first Champions League final for 12 years on Tuesday. Two Sergio Ramos headers put Real 2-0 ahead after 20 m
Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat—The expression “when Xyou sneezes, YI catches a cold” could have been coined to describe the relationship, both political and economic, between Syria and Lebanon. Joined at the hip since their birth as independent states, instability in one quickly spills over into the other.
Turkish–Syrian border, Asharq Al-Awsat—The young man sat up in his hospital bed, his head shaved and his eyes furious. “They are blood merchants,” he said, and then he paused to find the right words to express the depth of his disdain. “They are playing with the blood of the people.” And this was wh
Baghdad, Asharq Al-Awsat—Iraqis are heading to the polls today, Wednesday, April 30, amid a deteriorating security situation and allegations of voter fraud, and as embattled Shi’ite prime minister Nuri Al-Maliki faces electoral challenges from across Iraq’s sectarian divides. There was a serie
Contrary to what happened in previous years, fuel price hikes—or more accurately, the partial reduction of fuel subsidies—announced by the Iranian government a few days ago passed without major protests or palpable social unrest. This means that the general public in Iran have understood and accepte
When, in response to the threat of potential Palestinian reconciliation and unity, the Israeli government suspended “negotiations” with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) on April 24 (five days before they were due to terminate in any event), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s offi
London, Asharq Al-Awsat—Iraqi novelist Ahmad Saadawi was named the winner of the seventh International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF) in a ceremony in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, in recognition of his latest novel, Frankenstein in Baghdad. Saadawi lauded the IPAF award in his acceptance speech, saying: “
London and Frankfurt, Reuters—European banks must show they can survive simultaneous routs in bonds, property and stocks, in the toughest test so far by regulators aiming to restore confidence in an industry that had to be rescued by taxpayers in the financial crisis. The European Banking Authority
Beirut, Asharq Al-Awsat—The real estate market in Lebanon is currently witnessing a slump, especially in the capital, Beirut, where sales have dropped significantly as rents soared as a result of the influx of Syrian refugees. A recent study conducted by Lebanese real estate company Ramco showed tha
Tunis, Reuters—Tunisian security forces backed by jets and helicopters have begun a major operation to root out Al-Qaeda-linked militants from a hideout in the Chaambi mountains bordering Algeria. Thousands of troops have deployed in the remote area to scour the mountains, where the militants are ho
What is really going on with the Middle East peace process? Nothing is ever quite as it seems. The press is deafeningly repeating the messages from both sides about breakdown and its unsurprising causes. But are these messages an accurate description of events, or are they a cry for help from two si
Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat—The April 6 youth movement has vowed to keep operating after an Egyptian Court on Monday outlawed the group, accusing it of espionage and tarnishing the image of the Egyptian state. The Court of Urgent Matters banned all activities by the youth movement, which played a signifi
Baghdad, Asharq Al-Awsat—As Iraqis across the country prepare to head to the polls on Wednesday, several parliamentary hopefuls are already complaining of electoral violations. Candidates have raised questions about the issuance of voter’s e-cards, in addition to calling for investigations int
Istanbul, Reuters—Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Tuesday he would ask the United States to extradite an Islamic cleric he accuses of plotting to topple him and undermine Turkey with concocted graft accusations and secret wire taps. Fethullah Gülen has lived in self-imposed exile in Penn
Oslo, Reuters—Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yıldız said on Tuesday exports of Iraqi Kurdish oil stored at the port of Ceyhan could begin in May on the Mediterranean coast pending resolution of a dispute between Baghdad and Iraqi Kurdistan. The Kurds have sent some 1.5 million barrels of oil through
Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat—After an Egyptian court sentenced 683 people including Muslim Brotherhood General Guide Mohamed Badie to death in a mass trial on Monday, the pro-Mursi Anti-Coup Alliance has threatened mass protests across the country. The Brotherhood issued a statement on Monday describing t
Moscow and Brussels, Reuters—Russia suggested on Tuesday the European Union should be ashamed of itself for “doing Washington’s bidding” by punishing Moscow with sanctions over the crisis in Ukraine. The European Union on Tuesday released a list of 15 politicians and military leade
Beirut, Asharq Al-Awsat—Relations between the Lebanese Future Movement and Hezbollah have started to show signs of improvement, after three years of tension worsened by the outbreak of the Syrian crisis and Hezbollah’s participation in the fighting there, according to Lebanese sources. Sources close
