Middle East Experience

The State Department slammed Houthi rebels for turning down the chance to meet with the UN Yemen envoy Martin Griffiths.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: State Department: Yemen's Houthis passed up opportunity for peace

The Turkish president wants a change in relations, but his efforts are seen as the result of a failed regional strategy and poor ties with the Biden administration.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Erdogan’s reset with Egypt and the Gulf won’t be smooth

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan held talks and witnessed the signing of two agreements and two memoranda of understanding (MoU) between the countries, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Saturday.The Crown Prince and the Prime Minister discussed bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and the importance of “expanding and intensifying aspects of bilateral cooperation and coordination and enhancing them in various fields,” SPA said.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The leaders also spoke on regional and international issues of common interest during their meeting in Jeddah, according to SPA.The Crown Prince and prime minister then witnessed the signing of two agreements: one on increasing cooperation in the field of persons sentenced to penalties depriving freedom, and another on increasing cooperation in the field of combating crime, SPA reported.An MoU on combating illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and chemical precursors was also signed.Another MoU for financing eligible projects in the fields of energy, infrastructure, transportation, water, and communications between the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan was signed as well.The Pakistani prime minister and the Saudi Crown Prince discussed ways to enhance and strengthen economic and trade relations between the two countries through exploring areas of investment and opportunities in light of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the priorities of development in Pakistan.The two leaders also confirmed their full support for all legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, topped by the right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state from the 1967 parallel, with East Jerusalem as its capital, according to the contents of the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant UN resolutions.Read more:Pakistan PM Khan in Saudi Arabia to discuss bilateral relationsSaudi Arabia is a critical part of Pakistan’s foreign policy: Former PMPakistan’s overseas remittances surpass $2 bln for tenth consecutive month
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Crown Prince, Pakistan’s PM hold talks as bilateral agreements, MoUs signed

A massive fire broke out in Iran’s southwestern city of Bushehr overnight, the semi-official Fars News Agency reported on Saturday.The cause of the fire is still unknown, according to Iranian media reports.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The fire reportedly erupted near the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, but an official statement has yet to be made.Dozens of people shared footage of the huge fire on social media as bystanders tried to move away.Iran has been witnessing dozens of mysterious fires and explosions across the country since mid-2020. Several incidents have taken place at sensitive sites, including near nuclear plants.Read more:US believes Iran is serious about nuclear deal, ‘some progress’ has been madeSaudi official confirms talks with Iran, says too early to assess outcomeIran’s Khamenei says fight against Israel is a public duty against ‘oppression’
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Massive fire erupts in southwestern Iran, cause unknown: Reports

An attack by an unmanned aerial surveillance system on Saturday targeted Iraq’s Ain al-Asad air base in western Iraq which hosts US and other international forces, but it caused no injuries, a coalition spokesman said.US Army Colonel Wayne Marotto, spokesman for the US-led coalition, said on Twitter that the attack was being investigated but that an initial report suggests that the attack took place at 0220 local time and caused damage to a hangar.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The United States accuses Iran-backed militia groups of launching regular rocket attacks against its troops in Iraq.There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Saturday’s attack.Read more:Two rockets land at Iraq’s Ain al-Asad air base hosting US forces: Iraqi militaryBaghdad residents celebrate removal of Iran’s Khomeini, Soleimani billboardsAt least one policeman killed after militants attack oil wells in Iraq: Ministry
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Unmanned aerial drone targets Iraq’s Ain al-Asad base: US-led coalition

The Egyptian government is seeking partnerships with private and international companies to improve and manage the country’s dilapidated railway network.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Can privatization save Egypt’s railways?

The European Union on Saturday condemned the ongoing situation between Israeli police and Palestinians at Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound and urged authorities to quickly calm tensions.“Violence and incitement are unacceptable and the perpetrators on all sides must be held accountable. The European Union calls on the authorities to act urgently to de-escalate the current tensions in Jerusalem,” a spokesman said in a statement.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“The European Union calls on the authorities to act urgently to de-escalate the current tensions in Jerusalem.”The statement added that “acts of incitement around the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif must be avoided and the status quo has to be respected,” using another term for the key religious site.It said “political, religious and community leaders on all sides should show restraint and responsibility and make every effort to calm down this volatile situation.”More than 160 people were wounded when Israeli riot police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades at Palestinians at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound late Friday, capping a week of violence in the Holy City and the occupied West Bank.Stones, bottles and fireworks were hurled after the officers fired at the crowds at Islam’s third-holiest site, also revered by Jews as the location of two biblical-era temples.Tensions in Jerusalem have soared in recent weeks as Palestinians have protested against Israel’s restrictions on access to parts of the Old City during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, and after authorities ordered severalPalestinian families to leave their homes to make way for Israeli settlers.The EU statement condemned the evictions as “illegal” and blamed them for increasing tensions.“The situation with regard to the evictions of Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah and other areas of East Jerusalem is also of serious concern,” it said.“Such actions are illegal under international humanitarian law and only serve to fuel tensions on the ground.”Read more:US calls for calm in Jerusalem as Israeli police fire at Palestinians in Al-Aqsa Israeli police fire rubber bullets at Palestinians in Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa, 169 hurtIsraeli troops shoot dead Palestinian teen during West Bank clashes
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: EU urges de-escalation in Jerusalem, condemns ‘illegal’ evictions in Sheikh Jarrah

Saudi Arabia rejects Israel’s plans and measures to evict dozens of Palestinians from their homes in Jerusalem and impose Israeli sovereignty over them, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Saturday.Saudi Arabia condemns any unilateral measures, violations of international resolutions, and all actions that undermine the resumption of the peace process aimed at achieving security and stability in the region, the statement said.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The Kingdom stands with the Palestinian people and supports all efforts made to reach a just and comprehensive solution that will enable them to establish their own independent state based on the 1967 borders, with east Jerusalem as its capital, the ministry added.More than 160 people were injured when Israeli riot police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades at Palestinians at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound on Friday night.Tensions in Jerusalem have been rising in recent weeks as hundreds of Palestinians protested against Israeli courts’ decision to order the eviction of several Palestinian families from their homes in the Old City.The courts ordered that Jewish settlers have a right to the homes owned by the Palestinians.The European Union issued a statement earlier on Saturday calling the evictions “illegal” and condemning the ongoing violence by Israeli police against unarmed Palestinians.“The situation with regard to the evictions of Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah and other areas of East Jerusalem is also of serious concern,” the EU statement said.“Such actions are illegal under international humanitarian law and only serve to fuel tensions on the ground.”(With AFP)Read more:EU urges de-escalation in Jerusalem, condemns ‘illegal’ evictions in Sheikh JarrahIsraeli police fire rubber bullets at Palestinians in Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa, 169 hurtUS calls for calm in Jerusalem as Israeli police fire at Palestinians in Al-Aqsa
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia rejects Israel’s plans to annex Palestinian homes in Jerusalem: FM

Gulf family companies and businesses must learn to wean off the Kafala system that has created short-sighted dependency on elite migrant workers, much like the flawed Janissary model of governance..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: The End of Corporate Janissaries in the Gulf

To reach an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program and provide an effective security apparatus across the region, all Middle Eastern countries need to move beyond a zero-sum mentality..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Solving the Nuclear Stalemate between Iran and the United States