Middle East Experience

The Iraqi prime minister stressed unity in Tarmiyah, where the Islamic State claims responsibility for killing the general.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Iraqi PM visits Islamic State hotbed after sniper kills general

The United States “will always stand with the Iranian people in their struggle for true justice,” a State Department spokesperson told Al Arabiya English on Tuesday, in reaction to Iran suspending the execution of three protesters due to an online campaign.“We are glad to hear that the Iranian regime backed off their plans to execute three men for protesting,” said a State Department spokesperson, adding that many others are still at risk of torture and execution.The three men are Amirhossein Moradi and Mohammad Rajabi, both 26 years old, and Said Tamjidi, 28 – all linked to protests that took place across Iran last November following Tehran’s implementation of petrol rationing, which raised pump prices over 50 percent.Iran’s judiciary halted their executions on Sunday following an online campaign to overturn the capital punishment, which used the Farsi hashtag #do_not_execute and the English hashtag #StopExecutionsinIran.US Donald President Trump used his Twitter platform to advocate on their behalf in both Farsi and English on July 15.“Three individuals were sentenced to death in Iran for participating in protests. The execution is expected momentarily. Executing these three people sends a terrible signal to the world and should not be done! #StopExecutionsInIran” Trump said in the tweets.Iran tried to curtail the social media storm by shutting down the internet on Friday according to NetBlocks, a non-governmental organization that monitors cybersecurity and Internet freedom.Two days later the government seemingly gave into the pressure of the popular campaign, suspending the executions.Prisoners after protestsThe government claims evidence on the phones of the three young men show them setting fire to banks, buses, and public buildings during the November demonstrations.Iran’s judiciary spokesperson accused them of being “riot leaders,” according to Amnesty International.Despite Iran cracking down hard on protesters in November – with over 1,5000 people killed during the first two weeks according to Reuters – demonstrations erupted again in January after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)’s downing of a Ukrainian civilian airliner.Mary Mohammadi, 21, joined one evening protest in Tehran’s Azadi square on January 12. She told Al Arabiya English that Iranian officers arrested and abused her.“Suddenly I was attacked from behind and was arrested after taking a severe beating,” Mohammadi said in an interview with Al Arabiya English.She now faces a sentence of flogging and three months in prison.State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said last week it was “troubled” by Mohammadi’s sentencing.“The Iranian regime continues to violate the human rights of its own people, targeting political and civil society activists,” Ortagus told Al Arabiya English.Two other participants in January’s protests have also been sentenced to prison time.Mostafa Hashemizadeh, an engineering student at the University of Tehran, was sentenced in May to five years in prison for allegedly “colluding against national security,” in addition to a year in prison and 74 lashes for “disturbing public order.”Amir Mohammad Sharifi, another student at the university, was sentenced to three months in prison for his alleged involvement.Read more:UAE refuses to be silent while religion ‘hijacked and politicized’: Ambassador to USAttacked, jailed, sentenced to flogging: Young woman reveals her life in IranCoronavirus could have long-term mental health consequences: Yale doctors
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: US stands with Iranian people ‘in their struggle for true justice’: State Department

Azeri-Armenian clashes in the strategically significant Tavush area could be the harbinger of tectonic changes in the energy politics in the South Caucasus, Turkey and Iran.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Will Azeri-Armenian flareup change energy game in South Caucasus?

During Iraqi prime minister's trip to Iran, the two countries emphasized on building a constructive relationship based on mutual respect and national interests.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Iran's supreme leader to Iraqi PM: Iran does not interfere in Iraq-US relations

Dubai’s Department of Health Tourism said it is preparing to receive medical tourists once again months after borders were shut due to the global COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, according to officials.The announcement came during a virtual seminar on Wednesday aimed at highlighting the preparations of the health and medical tourism sector to receive tourists from all over the world.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The virtual session was attended by a number of officials and leaders in the tourism and health sectors in Dubai, including members from a group of private hospitals affiliated with the membership of “Dubai Health Experience.”Stakeholders reviewed the plans pursued by the UAE to make Dubai a preferred destination for medical tourism in light of the current global pandemic in addition to the strategic measures taken by the concerned authorities to ensure the safety of patients and medical tourists alike.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) clarified that the recurrence of the novel coronavirus and the low frequency of infection enhances the hospitals’ capacity to devote their efforts in resuming the provision of regular medical services and conducting surgical operations.Read more:Coronavirus: Dubai’s Emirates to resume flights to Seychelles after COVID-19 shutdownCoronavirus: UAE to open registration for COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials nationwideCleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi uses robot surgeons to treat cancer patients“Dr. Marwan al-Mulla, Executive Director of the Health Regulatory Sector at the Dubai Health Authority said during his talk at the virtual symposium that the world is facing an unprecedented health crisis that has cast a shadow over various sectors, including medical tourism,” read a statement from the Emirates News Agency (WAM).“Today, however, we are beginning the rapid return after overcoming the challenge, and thanks to the tremendous efforts made by government agencies to confront the coronavirus pandemic and reduce its repercussions,” WAM cited al-Mulla as saying.Last month, DHA announced that it will gradually begin resuming non-urgent healthcare services and will continue to treat coronavirus patients efficiently.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Dubai prepares to resume medical tourism sector

Years of civil war have torn Yemen apart..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Can an environmental catastrophe in Yemen be averted?

While the Egyptian and Ethiopian dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam has high stakes for local stability, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are well-positioned to play a leading role in mediating the conflict..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Deadlock on the Nile

Prof. Gabriel Barbash has been tapped to save Israel from disaster
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israel’s coronavirus ‘czar’?

Oman is increasingly looking to its Arab Gulf neighbours for financial recourse as its economic crisis worsens, although some analysts believe Muscat may choose to borrow from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) instead..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Oman eyes GCC, IMF help amid economic struggles

It’s as if the organizers don’t realize that their actions make it impossible for them to convince anyone on the Right of their cause.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Are Israel's anti-Netanyahu protests actually working?