May 11, 2021 Middle Orient
The decision to close Temple Mount to Jewish visitors follows days of rising tensions between Jews and Arabs across the Old City. Temple Mount will not be open for Jewish visitors today, following an assessment led by Chief of Police Kobi Shabtai early this morning. The decision was made together …
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May 11, 2021 Middle Orient
Police stormed the Temple Mount to disperse rioters who fired fireworks and threw stones at security forces. Over 700 people were injured in the clashes, according to the Red Crescent. Rioting broke out in the Old City of Jerusalem and on the Temple Mount as rockets were fired towards Israel’s …
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May 11, 2021 Afghanistan, South East Asia
For better or worse, the United States military is leaving Afghanistan. Proponents for withdrawal argue the U.S. has done all it can militarily in the country, has more pressing security interests elsewhere and may do more harm than good by staying. Critics say the power vacuum the U.S. is leaving …
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May 11, 2021 Eurasia
At the eighth congress of the Communist Party of Cuba last month, Raul Castro stepped down as head of the party, passing the reins to President Miguel Diaz-Canel in a choreographed transition of power. This changing of the guard took place amid rising dissent on the island, as well as …
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May 11, 2021 Balkans, Eurasia
As a European Union and NATO member that borders Turkey, hugs the Black Sea coast and maintains cordial relations with Russia, Bulgaria is a strategically significant country. Yet in recent years, it has rarely made international news—except for the occasional domestic clash over Russian influence and periodic mass protests over …
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May 11, 2021 Africa, Eurasia
Egypt’s Irrigation Ministry revealed four projects designed to reduce water waste, combat the growing need for water and help ease the negative effects of the GERD on its irrigation system. Egypt’s Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources revealed May 2 four projects and plans to reduce water waste in the …
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May 11, 2021 Iran, Middle Orient
As US-Iran ties deteriorated, India slowed down work at Iran’s Chabahar port; yet Chinese investment could bring it back to life. Even though it had been exempted from US economic sanctions, Iran’s Chabahar port project could not take off as various indirect financial drawbacks persisted. Having direct access to the …
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May 11, 2021 Middle Orient
A recent incident along Iraq’s western border and alleged connections between drug smuggling and Islamic State cells in the area have raised concern. Orders to arrest three Iraqi border guard commanders in late April after positions were abandoned and equipment and weaponry were left to alleged Islamic State (IS) attackers …
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May 11, 2021 Eurasia, Middle Orient
Russia’s repair shop in Tartus is working to build a floating dock, greatly expanding the capabilities of the military base. The Russian Ministry of Defense is working to expand its naval base in the Syrian port of Tartus following the major expansion of the main Hmeimim base, located in the …
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May 11, 2021 Iran, Middle Orient
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh said the Iraq-mediated talks focused on bilateral and regional issues. Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the country’s widely reported talks with Saudi Arabia in what marks Tehran’s first public acknowledgement of diplomatic efforts to ease tensions with its regional rival. During a news conference on …
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