The Right Word in the Right Language

This may just be politics as usual in Israel, but it is interesting to see just how the leading opposition party there is using today’s mass protest against “gender segregation” (as one report put it) by the ultra-Orthodox extremists of Beit...

Violence, Sectarianism Stalk City of Homs in Syria

Syria’s central city of Homs is in a state of quasi-civil war, as violence becomes a daily routine, with sectarianism increasing and living conditions deteriorating, say residents and government opponents. How People Arrived Here: is syria a quasi-civil...

Newt Gingrich Takes Glenn Beck to the Next Level

I rather like the way in which our vernacular has now coined a phrase for reacting to the truly bizarre: “You can’t make this shit up!” Sadly, where Middle East policy is concerned, Newt Gingrich has demonstrated that you can make it up. His...

BBC Arabic Services Receive Record Audiences

People across the Middle East have increasingly turned to the BBC during the ‘Arab Uprising’ with a record rise in audiences, according to independent research just published.

Residents in Lebanon Ready to Take Up Arms Against Syrian Insurgents

In the office of the former general turned self-styled humanitarian, concerned locals and Syrian refugees talk of taking up arms to defend a country they believe the national army will not.

Senior Iranian Official Says Tehran “supports All the Way” the Movements for Democracy Sweeping the Middle East

Despite representing a regime that suppressed its own pro-democracy movement, a senior Iranian official says Tehran “supports all the way” the movements for democracy sweeping the Middle East. Javad Larijani also warned the United States, Europe and...

Syrian Forces Accused of Killing 5 During Funeral of Kurdish Leader

Syrian Kurdish leaders are accusing government security forces of firing on mourners during the funeral of a prominent Kurdish party leader Saturday in the northern town of Qamishli. At least five mourners were killed and three others wounded after shooting...

South Africa Abstains From Voting in the UN Security Council on the Situation in Syria

South Africa has abstained from the vote in the UN Security Council (UNSC) on the situation in Syria, instead calling on the opposition in that country to participate in the political process to bring about peace and stability.

U.N. Security Council Fails in Its Responsibility By Not Passing a Resolution Condemning Syria

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the U.N. Security Council has failed in its responsibility by not passing a resolution condemning Syria for its brutal crackdown on civilian protesters.