Middle Orient

Jordan’s King Abdullah II meets Israeli prime minister in Amman

In a meeting with Israel’s Yair Lapid, Jordan’s King Abdullah says Palestinians should be included in United States-backed economic projects in the region. Jordan’s king has told Israel’s visiting prime minister that Palestinians should be part of US-sponsored regional economic projects to underpin stability in the Middle East. Jordanian officials …

Read More »

7th Summit of the Astana Peace Process in Tehran: Implications for the Syrian Crisis

Three days after US President Joe Biden’s trip to the Middle East, Tehran hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on July 19. This tripartite meeting was held within the framework of the seventh summit of the heads of states of the Astana Peace Process for …

Read More »

Iraqi Sadrist protesters storm parliament

Sadrist protesters stormed parliament today, rejecting the formation of the government under the premiership of Muhammad Shia Sudani, who was nominated recently by a rival Shia colaition. Hundreds of protesters, many of them followers of influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, gathered in Tahrir Square early this evening and then moved …

Read More »

Nile Dam dispute still stalled following US, GCC+3 summit in Jeddah

Although the leaders of Arab and Gulf countries, as well as the United States, expressed support for a diplomatic solution to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, many don’t believe this statement will revive the negotiations or push Ethiopia to end its unilateral measures. The summit in Jeddah on July 16 …

Read More »

Turkish consulate in Mosul targeted in rocket attack

The Turkish consulate in Mosul was attacked in a rocket attack, causing damage but no casualties, Iraqi and Turkish sources said. The overnight fire in Iraq’s main northern city came after deadly shelling, conducted by the Turkish army, killed nine civilians last week, prompting anti-Turkish protests in cities across Iraq. …

Read More »

Saudi Arabia signs energy agreement with Greece

Another purpose of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit is to seek greater economic and technological cooperation with Greece. Saudi Arabia and Greece have signed a new energy agreement. The memorandum of understanding, signed on July 27, establishes a framework for bilateral cooperation on a variety of energy fields, …

Read More »

Syrian jihadi leader Golani meets with Idlib’s Christians

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani met with Christians as part of efforts to reshape the terrorist group’s image. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani continues his public appearances to promote his image as a leader who cares about the inhabitants of Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib, …

Read More »

Why Iran-Russia relations likely won’t go beyond cooperation in Syria

Putin’s recent trip to Tehran was a PR win for the Russian president, but is unlikely to result in any further concessions for Iran. Russian President Vladimir Putin, on his second foreign trip since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, visited Tehran and met with Iranian officials on July 19. Although his …

Read More »