Middle East Experience

Bourla is slated to be presented the Genesis Prize by President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem on Wednesday.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla visits Yad Vashem

The family of the Military Intelligence officer who was found dead in his cell has accused the military of killing their son.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: IDF officer found dead in cell last year wasn't intentionally killed

On the UN Micro-, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises Day, we highlight the efforts of a local home business that has empowered women outside of Qatar. Beyond its vibrant colours and…..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Threads of life: how a Qatar-based business empowers Palestinian women, preserves heritage

Kuwait decided on Wednesday to dissolve the parliament and called for general elections as per legal and constitutional guidelines, Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah announced in a televised speech.The decision, based on Article 107 of the constitution, aims to correct the political path in the country.“We have decided to dissolve the National Assembly and call for general elections… The people themselves will have the final word in rectifying the political scene by selecting those who properly represent them,” Sheikh Meshal said in a speech on behalf of Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Sheikh Meshal attributed the current situation of the political scene - which he described as one marred by disagreements and guided by personal interests – to the fractured relation between the legislative and executive authorities as well as to the former’s interference in the latter’s work.He also said that the executive authority has not performed its duties “properly,” adding that some officials have not “committed to the pledge to work toward achieving political stability and serving the country and its people.”“All of this has unfortunately resulted in practices that threaten national unity and that do not harmonize with citizens’ aspirations… eventually resulting in obstructing the path of development.”The crown prince explained that the general political scene resulted in citizens’ complaints and dissatisfaction with the work of the executive and legislative authorities.He added that the decree pertaining to dissolving the National Assembly and calling for elections will be issued in the next few months after finalizing legal arrangements.Sheikh Meshal also highlighted the importance of respecting the principle of separation of powers and of not interfering in the legislative and executive authorities’ work.“We have not interfered in both authorities’ work but only provided guidance and advice on matters which pertain to state management. We have also not prevented anyone from carrying out reforms or taking any measures that serve the interest ofSheikh Meshal also reaffirmed that the constitution will be fully adhered to and will not be amended, obstructed or suspended and that no one will interfere in the elections or the next National Assembly’s work.“We will not interfere in the people’s selection of their representatives, and we will not interfere in the next National Assembly’s work or in matters related to selecting its speaker and different committees,” Sheikh Meshal said, calling on citizens, however, to elect those “reflect their aspirations” and to put the country’s interest above sectarian and tribal affiliations. Read more:Britain launches free trade talks with Gulf countriesJordan’s King stresses pivotal regional role of Saudi Arabia led by King SalmanUAE to stage COP28 Climate Summit at Dubai Expo City
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Kuwait dissolves parliament, calls for early general elections

Emirates Airline announced an increase in daily flights to Jeddah and Medina to support the large number of Hajj pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia this year following two years of lighter traffic due to the coronavirus pandemic.The Dubai-based airline will deploy 31 additional flights to Jeddah and double the daily flights to Medina from June 23 to July 20.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The move reportedly comes after the Kingdom announced an increase in the number of pilgrims to one million this year. It came after COVID-19 compelled Saudi officials to reduce the number of participants in line with global practices.Usually one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, about 2.5 million people participated in 2019. However, in 2020, authorities announced they would only let 1,000 pilgrims take part.The Hajj consists of a series of religious rituals that are completed over five days in Islam’s holiest city, Mecca, and surrounding areas of western Saudi Arabia.This year’s pilgrimage will be limited to vaccinated Muslims under the age 65, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced recently.Those coming from outside of the Kingdom must apply for Hajj visas and are required to submit a negative COVID-19 PCR result from a test taken within 72 hours of travel.Statistics on arriving and departing pilgrims in Medina, issued by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Tuesday, showed that 156,828 pilgrims have arrived through the Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina since receiving the first Hajj, while the land immigration center received 13,097 pilgrims who arrived in the city through land border crossings.Emirates is reportedly seeing strong demand for Hajj travel from Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Turkey, Egypt, Ethiopia, Malaysia, the UK, US, the UAE and Algeria.Hajj facilitiesA special ‘Hajj team’ will be arranged to assist pilgrims, Emirates said in a statement.This includes a dedicated check-in and transfer counter, ablution facilities, providing unperfumed towels, and procedures to facilitate the changing of the Ihram robes.The flight’s on-board entertainment system will also feature a Hajj video that covers safety, general formalities and information about performing the pilgrimage, in addition to a Holy Quran channel, the statement clarifiedUp to five liters of holy water, Zamzam, can be checked in for travel.Read more:Saudi’s Grand Holy Mosque gets new 80,000 copies of Holy Quran ahead of HajjMore than 170,000 pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia’s Madinah ahead of HajjUAE authorities announce Hajj requirements
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Hajj 2022: Emirates to double flights to Medina, 31 new flights to Jeddah

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in Turkey’s capital Ankara on Wednesday on an official visit that included Egypt and Jordan.The Crown Prince was received by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the presidential palace in Ankara where they will discuss various economic and political affairs, as well as measures that can strengthen cooperation between the two countries in trade, tourism and healthcare and other sectors.The two countries are also expected to sign agreements in various fields.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.During his visit to Jordan, the Crown Prince met with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and discussed bilateral ties and regional and international developments.Delegations from the two countries also discussed economic ties and addressed a number of challenges facing trade between the two countries.The Crown Prince traveled to Jordan after visiting Egypt where he met with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.During his visit to Egypt, the two countries signed economic deals worth $7.7 billion.Read more:Saudi Arabia consulate requests probe results in death of two citizens in AustraliaHajj 2022: Emirates to double flights to Medina, 31 new flights to JeddahKuwait dissolves parliament, calls for early general elections
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince arrives in Turkey

if Israel's attorney-general, Gali Baharav-Miara, wanted to slam the door shut on Gantz’s idea, she would have. She did not.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Will A-G let Benny Gantz appoint a new IDF chief with upcoming elections?

The visit marks a step in Prince Mohammed's effort to rehabilitate his image beyond the Gulf, and comes as Erdogan seeks financial support that could help relieve Turkey's beleaguered economy.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Saudi crown prince, Erdogan meet in Turkey, discuss ties normalization

While most attention in the US has been focused on the economic downturn and soaring inflation, a key foreign policy move by the Biden administration stole the headlines of many outlets in recent weeks, and it was not the Ukraine war.US President Joe Biden officially announced his first trip to the Middle East since taking office over a year ago.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Stops during his July trip will include the West Bank, Israel and Saudi Arabia.Little scrutiny or attention was paid to the president’s itinerary on his first two destinations, while there is continued criticism by much of Biden’s own party as to why he is visiting the country he vowed to make a “pariah” while he was running for president.But with midterm elections in the US projected to see a Republican takeover of at least one of the two chambers on Capitol Hill, Biden has been forced to recalibrate his foreign policy.The colossal withdrawal from Afghanistan is believed to have upped Russian President Vladimir Putin’s appetite to invade Ukraine further, and Washington is now worried that Beijing could follow suit and invade Taiwan.Despite the average US voter not traditionally impacted by US foreign policy, record gas prices for Americans have raised questions about why this is happening.The Russian invasion of Ukraine is one of the primary reasons. But Republicans blame Biden for peddling a “clean energy” policy, put forth by mostly progressive Democrats, at the expense of the US becoming energy independent.Biden heavily campaigned on “ending fossil fuel,” and last week, the White House said there was “no need” to drill for more oil inside the US. Instead, crude should be refined to push out to gas stations.Seeing the potential for rising gas prices, Biden dispatched senior officials to the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia, to get oil-producing countries (OPEC+) to scrap a deal with Russia and increase their oil output. This request was rebuffed more than once, and observers blame Biden’s aggressive approach toward the Gulf as the main reason.Biden irked Gulf capitals after his comments on the campaign trail and then by targeting Saudi Arabia and the UAE with some of his first foreign policy moves. These included removing the Iran-backed Houthis from the terror blacklist, freezing weapons sales to Riyadh and Abu Dhabi and refusing to engage with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.Biden also declassified intelligence on the killing of Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi, which blamed Saudi government officials.Next month, Biden is scheduled to meet with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz and the Crown Prince.“I think the Administration has recognized that there is little utility in prolonging a dispute or disruption in US-Saudi relations and it’s time to open a dialogue on a number of important regional and global economic issues – ones that matter to Saudi Arabia and to the interests of the United States,” said Karen Young, director of the Middle East Institute’s Program on Economics and Energy.The US is also working tirelessly to help Europe find alternatives to Russian gas in a bid to choke off a central resource for the Kremlin’s funding of its war on Ukraine. One of these alternatives is encouraging Gulf countries to sell more oil and gas to Europe.“Clearly, there is recognition in the [Biden] administration that the Middle East will play a greater role influencing markets, particularly to Europe finding alternatives to Russian gas, than it previously has,” said Firas Maksad, an adjunct professor at the George Washington University.Facing Iran and its proxiesNevertheless, the rough patch in relations that Washington and Riyadh have experienced since Biden took office could be smoothing out. Warming relations between Arab countries and Israel have also impacted how the US shapes its policy on Iran.Apart from the exorbitant oil prices in the US, Biden’s adamance on reaching a nuclear deal with Tehran in return for sanctions relief appears to be all but ended.Easing US pressure on Iran and the regime that preaches “death to America” goes back to the days of former US President Barack Obama, who called on Saudi Arabia to “find an effective way to share the neighborhood” with Iran. This was preceded by secret talks between Washington and Tehran that led to the 2015 nuclear deal, which did not include countries neighboring Iran and most impacted by Iran’s support for terror groups and proxies.After Biden revoked the terror designation of Yemen’s Houthis, the group grew emboldened and increased its ballistic missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia and the UAE.The UAE was reportedly frustrated with the slow response from US officials after Houthi attacks struck deep in the heart of the country twice earlier this year.Saudi Arabia has also expended a significant amount of Patriot anti-missile interceptors in response to hundreds of Houthi attacks. Washington is likely to announce the sale of anti-missile interceptors in the coming weeks, according to US sources familiar with the matter.Iran did not and has not done anything to positively contribute to the yearslong war in Yemen, according to Biden’s special envoy Tim Lenderking. On the flipside, US officials say that Saudi Arabia has taken steps, including working to mitigate civilian deaths during Arab Coalition air strikes on Houthi targets, to help reach the first two-month ceasefire in seven years. The truce was recently extended for another 60 days.Meanwhile, the so-called shadow war between Iran and Israel has burst out into the open. Israel is believed to have been behind several assassinations of Iranian scientists and members of the IRGC.During Biden’s trip to Saudi Arabia, Riyadh will be looking for an American recommitment to the region’s defense, Maksad said, “US partners feel the US minimized support and the arms needed to protect themselves from Iran and Iran proxies.”For his part, commentator on Middle Eastern politics Ali Shihabi told CNN that “Saudi Arabia wants as much involvement from the US as possible in constraining Iran, so that will be a discussion that will dominate the GCC-Biden meeting.”Biden is heading to Saudi Arabia upon a formal invitation from King Salman and to participate in the GCC+3 summit, which will include Egypt, Jordan and Iraq.Warming ties between Gulf, IsraelThe Biden administration initially hesitated to use the term “Abraham Accords” when referring to the peace deals between the UAE, Bahrain and Israel, brokered by the Trump administration.US officials have since backtracked on this policy, which seemed to be a directive at the start, and embraced the normalization treaties. They have also publicly stated their ambition to expand the number of countries that have signed peace deals with Israel.One of the most significant breakthroughs would be a Saudi-Israeli normalization deal. But Saudi Arabia has been clear that it would not agree to such a deal until there is an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.But economic ties appear to be making some leeway and Saudi Arabia has granted certain flights the right to use Saudi airspace.As they face the common threat from Iran and proxies it has bolstered, Israel’s defense minister recently announced a new alliance between the US, Israel and unnamed Arab countries to communicate and share intelligence to thwart drone and missile attacks.US military officials have long urged the integration of regional air defense systems in the face of Iran.Jonathan Schanzer, senior VP at the right-leaning Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said Biden’s initial efforts to isolate Saudi Arabia had “backfired.”“With the ongoing energy crisis spurred on by the Ukraine war, the United States appears to need Saudi Arabia more than ever,” Schanzer told Al Arabiya English.He also said normalization efforts between Israel and other Arab countries appeared to be moving in a positive direction without US engagement.“This appears to be a reset of the administration’s broader foreign policy,” he said, welcoming Biden’s trip to the region as “a welcome development.”But Biden’s trip to Saudi Arabia will be looked at by all sides to see if the decades-long relationship can be patched up.“Saudi Arabia and its leadership expect to be treated like any other country, including ones where there are differences of policy and form of government, but which can be effective partners with the United States,” Young told Al Arabiya English. “And that seems like a reasonable policy the Biden Administration should also adopt.”Read more: US lawmakers call for plan to integrate Middle East air defenses, confront Iran
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iran tensions, record gas prices push Biden to recalibrate US policy in Middle East

Beijing had received a shipment of nearly 2 million barrels of Iranian oil in the past week alone, in an effort to pressure Tehran back into the 2015 JCPOA.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: How China's oil imports are helping Iran withstand sanctions - analysis