Latest in Region Highlight
Latest in Region
Omani FM meets Syria’s Assad as flurry of diplomacy continues
Oman’s foreign minister has visited Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus amid a whirlwind of diplomatic activity to resolve the crisis. Oman is known to play a mediator role in the region. Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi and Assad talked in Damascus on Monday as regional and international actors mount a new offensive to …
German Defense Minister von der Leyen meets with Iraq in effort to curb mass migration
German Defense Minisiter Ursula von der Leyen is due to meet with her Iraqi counterpart to discuss ways to remedy the masses of people fleeing the country. Ahead of her visit, she urged unity within the Iraqi government. In Baghdad on Monday, von der Leyen will meet with Prime Minister Haider al Abadi and Defense …
Top Saudi court upholds death sentence for Shiite cleric
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has confirmed the death sentence for the popular Shiite leader Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr on “sedition” charges. The sheikh’s life now depends on the possibility of a royal pardon by King Salman. Nimr’s family and lawyers said Sunday that the court rejected the appeal filed by Nimr, who is known as a …
We demand international protection against Israel: Saeb Erekat
Chief Palestinian negotiator informed Sameh Shoukry of last talks with John Kerry in Amman
Egyptian-Saudi foreign ministers hold joint press conference
The conference came amid claims of contradictions in the foreign policies of both countries regarding the Syrian conflict
Opinion: Fatal comparison
Hitler merely wanted to drive the Jews out, not kill them. The latter was the idea of the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, claims Benjamin Netanyahu. Such words escalate the conflict, says DW’s Alexander Kudascheff. The state of affairs in the Middle East is beyond tense – especially between Israel and the Palestinians. The situation is …
As violence rages in Middle East, Kerry holds talks with Netanyahu in Berlin
The US Secretary of State has met Israel’s prime minister to discuss the ongoing conflicts across the Middle East. The talks come as leaders the world over urge an end to the violence in Israel and the West Bank. US Secretary of State John Kerry met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Berlin on …
Tens gather at Press Syndicate in support of Palestine
Hundreds have staged protests in European capitals in the past few days
Steinmeier’s futile diplomacy in Saudi Arabia and Iran
The problem of Syria’s civil war came up frequently on German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s recent trip to Saudi Arabia and Iran. Solutions to it did not. DW’s Dagmar Engel traveled with the minister. “We are not here as mediators.” During his trip to the Middle East, the German foreign minister would use variations of …
Syrian ground offensive advances on Aleppo under Russian cover
Ground offensives led by the Syrian army and their allies have continued into the start of the week. Three rebel groups affiliated with the “Free Syrian Army” (FSA) reportedly received munitions from the US. Syrian government troops and their allies pushed on with their offensive a few kilometers south of the northern city of Aleppo …
‘The martyrs of Jalazone’: Life in a West Bank camp
About 16,000 people live in the Jalazone refugee camp in the West Bank. The situation is alarming. Some youths see violence as their only way out. Sven Pöhle reports from Ramallah. Dozens of posters line the alleys of Jalazone, a refugee camp northeast of Ramallah. There are commemorative plaques everywhere. Faces look out from large …
Conflict takes toll on Israeli and Palestinian women
Unlike in previous uprisings, more and more women are participating in protests against the Israeli occupation. But the fighting has also taken its toll on them. As attacks and standoffs have happened across Israel and the occupied territories, more and more young Palestinian women are participating in protests. Some have even carried out attacks on …
Syrian army advances against rebels near Aleppo
Backed by Russian jets, Syrian government troops have edged forward in the northern province of Aleppo. Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev has said Moscow’s air strikes in Syria were a bud to protect its national interests. Since Moscow started its air campaign in Syria on September 30, the Syrian army and its allies have launched four …
Palestinian issue will be Egypt’s priority in Security Council
Shoukry recognises Egypt’s role as UNSC non-permanent member, yet highlights the unequal role of veto power
German Foreign Minister Steinmeier urges Iran to work towards peace in Syria
Iran should use its influence to get the Syrian regime to discuss political transition, Berlin’s top diplomat Frank-Walter Steinmeier told an Iranian newspaper. He gave the interview ahead of an official visit to Tehran. Germany and Iran must have a joint interest to “stop the bloodshed,” in Syria, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told “Iran,” …
Jobs for refugees: Easier said than done
In a bid to cope with the ongoing massive migrant influx to Germany, there have been growing calls for integrating asylum seekers into the country’s job market. But experts say it is a long and arduous process. At least 800,000 asylum seekers are expected to arrive in Germany this year alone, according to official estimates. …
Iran, Saudi Arabia and the new Middle East
German Foreign Minister Steinmeier is set to visit the Middle East to speak with Iran and Saudi Arabia. Both regional powers are adversaries on several issues. It’ll be a difficult trip. It’s clear where Germany’s foreign minister is going – at least geographically. First up is Tehran, then Riyadh. Far less clear is where the …
Syria and Russia launch huge offensive on rebels in Aleppo
The Syrian military has begun a major ground offensive on the country’s second city of Aleppo. The advance in northern Syria has been supported by the Russian air force. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday that in the past 24 hours, “dozens” of Russian airstrikes had struck the area which is controlled …
Palestinians torch Jewish shrine amid calls for ‘revolution’
Dozens of Palestinians have thrown firebombs at holy site in the Israeli-controlled West Bank. Others have called for “revolution,” as the United Nations (UN) Security Council prepares to discuss the growing violence. The site targeted on Friday is revered by some Jews as the tomb of biblical patriarch Joseph and has become a popular prayer …
US, Russia seek deal to fly in Syria’s dangerous skies
Russian jets have had a series of close encounters with American and Turkish aircraft. Western officials have called the situation dangerous and see a risk of conflict in Middle Eastern skies. Spencer Kimball reports. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he is concerned. Russian and American warplanes are both operating in an active war zone, …
EU ponderously slow tackling refugee crisis
EU states have not respected their commitments, despite the urgent refugee crisis. Instead, they will hold a summit again. Bernd Riegert reports from Brussels. In the special meeting on the refugee crisis just three weeks ago, the 28 heads of state and government of the European Union agreed on a number of urgent measures to …
US, Russia turn to direct military talks over Syria airspace grievances
US and Russian defense officials are “closer” to hashing out “safety procedures” as both countries fly sorties over Syria. The talks come amid reports that Iran is deploying troops, the latest in the Syrian conflict. Defense officials from the US and Russia held military-to-military talks on Wednesday in a bid to establish “basic safety procedures” …
Sudan and Tunisia release 24 detained Egyptian fishermen
Egyptian fishermen are frequently detained attempting to fish in foreign waters
Putin’s proxy war
President Putin turned 63 this week, but, as he savored his birthday cake, did the thought occur to him that he might have bitten off more than he could chew with his Syria strategy? Fiona Clark in Moscow investigates. Shortly after Russian warships fired 26 cruise missiles from the Caspian Sea into Syria, some 1,500 …
Egypt condemns Israel’s ‘excessive use of power’ in Gaza clashes
650 Palestinians were arrested since beginning of October, say Palestinian officials
Interpol arrests long-time Egyptian corruption fugitive in Lebanon: Interior ministry
Lebanese Interior Security Forces reported no knowledge of the case
Russian strikes in Syria ‘sectarian’ intervention: Islamists
“Iranian/Russian” strikes favour Al-Assad’s criminal Alawite regime
Al-Sisi discusses counter terrorism with Tunisian counterpart
Béji Caïd Essebsi is the first Tunisian president to visit Egypt since the spark of the 2011 Arab Spring
Saudi Arabia friendliest country to Egypt, Israel most hostile: Poll
Baseera’s opinion poll on 26 countries surprisingly indicates that Ethiopia is friendly and Denmark is hostile
Hollande: ‘More anti-IS airstrikes soon’
French President Francois Hollande has said more French airstrikes against “Islamic State” targets could take place “in the coming weeks.” The announcement comes amid increased efforts to confront the militant group. At least six French jet fighters targeted and destroyed an “Islamic State” training camp near the Syrian town of Deir Ezzor, French President Francois …