Greater Middle East

Russia accused of using cluster munitions in Syria

Human rights organizations claim mounting evidence that Russia is behind the increasing use of cluster bombs in Syria, despite Moscow's denial that it has deployed the banned weapon.

Greater Middle East

Yemen: Saudis bomb anti-bombing demonstration

Saudi fighter jets carried out air-strikes on a peaceful rally in Yemen's capital Sanaa that had been called to protest Saudi air-strikes, leaving several dead.

Watching the Shadows

Congress releases details of Saudi 9-11 links

The House Intelligence Committee released a declassified "28-pages" detailing possible connections between Saudi Arabia's government and the 9-11 hijackers.

Greater Middle East

ISIS attacks Islamic holy city… WTF?

The ISIS attack on Medina, Islam's second holiest city, betrays the group's eschatological imperative and desire to bring about a final conflict that will purge the world of heresy.

Greater Middle East

Egypt sentences protesters to five years

Egyptian officials announced the conviction and prison sentences of over one hundred demonstrators who were peacefully assembling without a permit.

Planet Watch

A ‘New Oil Order’?

Experts declare a "new oil order" in which hydrocarbons will lose market share to renewables. But is it market conditions or geopolitics that explain the current price slump?

Greater Middle East

More Green Berets to Syria: on whose side?

Obama is to mobilize 250 troops to Syria, helping Arab militias fight ISIS. Will these militias be brought under the Kurdish-led coalition—or will the Kurds be isolated to appease Turkey?

Iran

Global executions surge —yet again

Amnesty International's annual report on the death penalty again notes an alarming surge in the number of executions worldwide—now reaching the highest total since 1989.

Greater Middle East

Saudi Arabia: five years for tweeting

Amnesty International protested the conviction of journalist Alaa Brinji by a Saudi court on charges of "insulting authority" for tweeting in support of women's rights.