Category: Middle East

Trump charts new Mideast course; maybe no separate Palestine

President Donald Trump listens as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during their joint news conference Wednesday in the East Room of the White House. WASHINGTON – Charting a striking new course for the Middle East, President Donald Trump on Wednesday withheld clear support for an independent Palestine and declared he could endorse a one-nation solution to the long and deep dispute between Palestinians and Israel.

There Will Be No Palestinian State Under Netanyahu’s Watch

President Trump should not be swayed by Netanyahu’s duplicitous argument, however convincing it might sound, that he is committed to a two-state solution when in fact he has opposed and will continue to reject in principle the creation of an independent Palestinian state under any circumstances. Netanyahu’s repeated assertions that he is ready to negotiate with the Palestinians unconditionally is hollow because he knows that President Abbas will not enter into negotiations unless Israel suspends the continuing expansion of settlements and the creeping annexation of Palestinian land, which prevents the Palestinians from establishing their own viable state.

As Islamic State loses territory, it seeks to survive online

Al-Qaida’s main affiliate in Iraq avoided extinction at the hands of U.S. and Iraqi forces a decade ago by backing away from military engagements and moving the remnants of its network underground until its reemergence as the Islamic State. That successor organization, now confronting its own eventual fall, is devising a modified survival strategy that may involve surrendering control of its “caliphate” in Iraq and Syria but seeks to preserve a virtual version of it online.

Intense fighting kicks off between Syrian rebel and regime forces in Daraa

Three fighters, including a Lebanese national were killed in an ambush by Syrian opposition forces in regime-held Kafraya in Idlib province, whilst further fighting took place between opposition and the regime forces in Daraa and the outskirts of Damascus on Tuesday. Opposition forces appear to have encircled a number of militias belonging to Iran and Lebanese group Hizballah in the town of Kafraya.

UK courts Saudi spenders with new tourism office in Riyadh

The British ambassador to Saudi Arabia , Simon Collis, has expected a rise in joint investment projects between Riyadh and London, hoping the number of Saudi visitors to the United Kingdom would surge after the British Tourism Authority inaugurated its first office in Saudi Arabia. The diplomat told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Gulf countries have always been an important source for the British tourism economy.

Justin Bieber to perform in India

All the Indian ‘Beliebers’ are in for a treat as American pop sensation Justin Bieber is bringing his ‘Purpose World Tour’ to the country with a performance on May 10 in Mumbai. Apart from India, the Asia leg of the tour comprises Tel Aviv in Israel and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, according to promoters of the tour White Fox India.

Justin Bieber to perform in India

All the Indian ‘Beliebers’ are in for a treat as American pop sensation Justin Bieber is bringing his ‘Purpose World Tour’ to the country with a performance on May 10 in Mumbai. Apart from India, the Asia leg of the tour comprises Tel Aviv in Israel and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, according to promoters of the tour White Fox India.

Trump still considering moving US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem

Shortly before Donald Trump’s inauguration last month, Jerusalem’s mayor unveiled a video tribute to the incoming president for his much-touted campaign promise to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. On Tuesday, on the eve of the first White House summit between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mayor Nir Barkat emphasized his support for the move during a conference in the city.

Picture of Russian ambassador’s assassin wins World Press Photo award

The 60th World Press Photo award has been won by a Turkish photographer for an image of the direct aftermath of the assassination of the country’s Russian ambassador. Burhan Ozbilici, who works for Associated Press in Istanbul, beat 5,034 other photographers from 125 countries to the top prize in one of the world’s most prestigious professional photography contests.

Coming soon to Dubai: A flying passenger-carrying drone

Commuters who’ve dreamed of hitching a ride to work on a flying drone may soon get their wish – if they’re in Dubai, anyway. In the latest move to ease traffic congestion, the United Arab Emirates city rolled out a passenger-carrying drone on Monday, announcing a plan to have regular operations of the drone by July.

German-Israeli summit delayed ‘after settlements row’

Germany said Feb. 13 that a summit with Israel planned for later this year had been delayed, with Israeli media reporting it was due to the Jewish state’s controversial new settlements law. Israel passed a new law last week that legalizes dozens of Jewish outposts and thousands of settler homes built on private Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank.

8 mln foreign tourists ‘expected to visit Antalya in 2017’

Around 7.5 to 8 million foreign tourists are expected to visit the Mediterranean province of Antalya over this year, following a daunting year for Turkey, a leading tourism player has said. The number of foreigners visiting Turkey, mainly Istanbul and Antalya, declined to 25.3 million in 2016, a 30 percent drop compared to 2015, after a series of bomb attacks, a diplomatic crisis with Russia, and the failed July 15, 2016 coup attempt.

Netanyahu lands in Washington

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu landed on Monday night in Washington, ahead of his meeting with President Donald Trump on Wednesday. A diplomatic source accompanying the prime minister’s entourage spoke of the visit on Monday night, saying, “We came to hear the new administration and not as much to be heard.

Report: Syrian government used chemical weapons in Aleppo

Syrian government forces carried out at least eight chemical attacks during the final weeks of the battle for Aleppo , killing nine people including four children, Human Rights Watch said Monday, according to AFP . The group said it interviewed witnesses, collected photos and reviewed video footage indicating that chlorine bombs were dropped from government helicopters during the offensive from November 17 to December 13. Around 200 people were injured by the toxic gases used on opposition-controlled areas of the northern city, it said.

Clashes erupt on Yemen’s coast, killing 20

A man walks past a vehicle after an Apache helicopter from a Saudi-led military coalition fired a missile at it outside Aden International Airport, Yemen February 12, 2017. REUTERS/Stringer A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Daily Star on February 14, 2017, on page 8.

Donald Trump, Benjamim Netanyahu to discuss tough line on Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin NetA anyahu are expected to agree on a tough line toward Iran but are unlikely to call for an end to the international nuA clear deal with Tehran during NetA anyahu’s visit to Washington. After eight years of U.S.-Israeli differences under Trump’s predeA cessor, Barack Obama, Netanyahu is hoping to establish a strong bond with the staunchly pro-Israel Trump administration.

Syrian army confronts offensive by Nusra Front in southern Daraa

Syrian army has confronted an attack unleashed by the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front and other terror-linked groups in southern province of Daraa, state news agency SANA reported on Monday. The Syrian army and allied fighters fended off the attacks by the Nusra and allied militants on residential areas in Daraa, inflicting heavy losses on the attackers, said SANA, adding that the attacks were focused in the areas of Manshiyeh and Hamiedet al-Zaher as well as Busra square in Daraa.

Syria gov’t says ready for prisoners swap with rebels

The Syrian government said on Monday that it is ready to exchange prisoners it has with kidnapped people in rebel hands, state news agency SANA reported. The offer came in light of efforts exerted for the upcoming Syria talks in Astana on Feb. 15-16, and the proposed swap could include the release of prisoners in Syrian jails in exchange for civilians and military personnel in rebel captivity.

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A migration expert warns that there are more than 50 million Muslims willing to accept violence and support those who carry out terror attacks to defend their religion. Professor Ruud Koopmans of the Netherlands warned the EU on Monday to block the entry of any refugees whose identity cannot be categorically confirmed.

How Trump Is Empowering the Saudi Destruction of Yemen

The Trump administration seems to have abandoned the possibility of a diplomatic resolution to the Saudi-led destruction of Yemen. In his first few weeks in office Trump approved a disastrous Navy SEAL raid in the interior, parked a guided missile destroyer with history in Yemen off its coast, and now might approve major arms shipments to Arab Gulf states currently under scrutiny for war crimes in the country.

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CIA Director Mike Pompeo’s visit to Turkey was greeted with some fanfare, as it occurred just two days after a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and was the CIA director’s first official foreign visit. While the White House readout of the Trump-Erdogan call was vague, Turkish official sources claimed that Trump and Erdogan had agreed on joint action in the campaigns against IS in Raqqa and al-Bab.

Russian drone footage show wide damage at Syria’s Palmyra

Russia released drone footage Monday showing new destruction in Syria’s historic town of Palmyra, which was recently recaptured by the Islamic State group, and warned that the militants could be planning the further demolition of antiquities. The Russian Defense Ministry says Syrian government forces are advancing toward the town as another battle for the ancient site looms.

Hamas names top militant as new leader in Gaza

In this Friday, Oct. 21, 2011, file photo, freed Palestinian prisoner Yehiya Sinwar, a founder of Hamas’ military wing, talks during a rally in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. A senior Hamas official says the top member of the group’s armed wing has been chosen as its new leader in the Gaza Strip.

UPDATE 1-Chipmaker TowerJazz sees further growth in 2017 after record 2016

JERUSALEM, Feb 13 Israeli chipmaker TowerJazz projected further growth in revenue and profit in 2017 after posting a record fourth quarter and 2016 as a whole, boosted by robust demand from existing and new customers. TowerJazz, which makes chips for smartphones, battery chargers, AC/DC adapters and image sensors, said it earned 52 cents per fully diluted share, excluding one-off items, in the fourth quarter, up from 27 cents a share a year earlier.

Trump moves spark Iraqi anger, calls against future alliance

Reverberations from President Donald Trump’s travel ban and other stances are threatening to undermine future U.S.-Iraqi security cooperation, rattling a key alliance that over the past two years has slowly beaten back the Islamic State group. Iraq’s prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, has sought to contain any backlash from public anger sparked by Trump’s executive order banning Iraqis from traveling to the U.S. Also breeding resentment and suspicion are Trump’s repeated statements that the Americans should have taken Iraq’s oil and his hard line against Iran, a close ally of al-Abadi’s government.

‘Inflame’ (‘Kaygi’): Film Review | Berlin 2017

Turkish director Ceylan Ozgun Ozcelik tackles the topical themes of fake news and freedom of expression in her debut feature, a Berlinale world premiere. A stylish but underpowered psychological thriller set in contemporary Turkey, Inflame is a local story with a timely universal message about fake news and Orwellian manipulation of history.

Senate panel books hearing for Trump Israel envoy pick this week

Donald Trump’s nominee for ambassador to Israel will be grilled by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Thursday, when he will likely face questions from lawmakers on past controversial statements and his reported support for Israeli settlement building. The nomination hearing for David Friedman will place him among the first non-cabinet level nominees to commence the confirmation process.

PA calls mosque-muffling bill an attack on religious freedom

Abbas says legislation ‘would drag the area into disaster,’ top Arab lawmaker says move is racist, vows call to prayer will outlast Netanyahu A mosque in the West Bank city of Nablus and part of the Jewish settlement of Elon Moreh in the West Bank, December 7, 2016. The Palestinian Authority on Sunday slammed proposed Israeli legislation prohibiting the overnight use of loudspeakers in houses of prayer, calling it an attack on religious freedom.

Netanyahu pledges to promote ‘responsible policies’ at Trump meeting

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he would present “responsible policies” in talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, signaling to the Israeli far-right to curb its territorial demands in the occupied West Bank. Netanyahu leaves for Washington on Monday and will see Trump at the White House on Wednesday for their first meeting since the Republican’s inauguration last month, with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and policy toward Iran on the agenda.

Aren’t memories enough?

With school on half term and my daughter deciding to stay with her dad, I had time this week to visit my old colleagues and catch up with them. After a short stint calling on my friends at the newspaper, I made a spur-of-the-moment decision to visit my pals at the High Commission, where I had worked for 15 years.

UN chief defends choice of PA leader as Libya envoy

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday defended his choice of former Palestinian Authority leader Salam Fayyad to be the UN peace envoy to Libya, after the United States blocked the appointment. Guterres nominated Fayyad to the post on Wednesday and the Security Council had been expected to approve his appointment without objections.