Greater Middle East
Saudi Arabia sentences activist to 8 years
A court in Saudi Arabia sentenced Abdulkarim al-Khader, co-founder of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association, to eight years in prison for sedition.
Tag: Arab Revolution
Greater Middle East
US arms reach Syrian rebels?
The Free Syrian Army boasts of receiving new weapons shipments that could “change” the course of the war—amid revelations that the US has been arming them secretly for a year.
Greater Middle East
Egypt’s Sinai on high alert over jihadist infiltration
Egypt has declared a state of alert in the Sinai after extremist Islamist fighters set up a military base in the peninsula ahead of planned anti-government protests.
Iran
US, Iranian forces converge on Syria
Some 5,000 US troops are in Jordan to participate in the multi-national Eager Lion exercises—just as Iran is sending 4,000 Revolutionary Guards to support Syria's Bashar Assad.
North Africa
Libya: paramilitaries behind Benghazi battles?
Libyan Special Forces, army troops and protesters repeatedly clashed with a paramilitary unit in Benghazi called the Libyan Shields, leaving some 30 dead.
Iraq
Nusra Front nixes merger with Iraq Qaeda franchise
Syria’s Nusra Front appealed to al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri to mediate in a dispute with the Islamic State of Iraq, rejecting the latter’s attempted hostile take-over.
Greater Middle East
Kuwait woman sentenced to 11 years for tweeting
A criminal court in Kuwait sentenced a woman to 11 years in prison for remarks she made on Twitter, including insulting Emir Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah.
Greater Middle East
Samantha Power signals Syria intervention?
Samantha Power’s appointment as UN ambassador may signal a determination on the part of the Obama administration that intervention in Syria is inevitable.
Greater Middle East
Bahrain court sentences protesters up to 15 years
A Bahrain court issued sentences to three activists for taking part in anti-government protests as well as attempting to kill a police officer in a clash at a Shi’ite village.
Greater Middle East
Egypt court convicts 43 in NGO crackdown
An Egyptian court convicted 43 foreign and domestic non-governmental organization employees of engaging political activity without proper documentation.
Greater Middle East
Lebanon’s hashish valley drawn into Syrian war
Lebanon’s hashish heartland of the Bekaa Valley is increasingly embroiled in the civil war raging across the border in Syria, with a wave of sectarian clashes and abductions.
North Africa
ICC rules Libya cannot try Qaddafi son
The International Criminal Court rejected a challenge by the Libyan government to the court's jurisdiction over Saif al-Islam Qaddafi, son of the deposed dictator.