Topic: Middle East

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Hugo Chavez: 10 outrageous things he said about the US

Hugo Chavez, whose death was announced Tuesday, will be remembered worldwide as much for what he said as for what he did during his 14-year rule of Venezuela. From the vitriolic to bizarre, here is a list of 10 outrageous comments he made about the “Yankee empire” and its leaders.
2013 Oscar-inspired dishes

The Academy Awards are right around the corner! What better way to cheer on the Best Picture nominees than by cooking a dish inspired by your favorite film?
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The Monitor's top 11 US stories of 2012

From storms to politics, the year was a wild ride. What are the most meaningful US stories of 2012? Here's the Monitor's list, in roughly chronological order.
Iran fires at US drone: the top 3 pressing questions

Iranian military forces fired at a US Predator drone for the first time ever earlier this month, the Pentagon acknowledged this week. It’s a revelation that has raised a host of questions for the US military. Here are the top three.
War with Iran? 5 ways events overseas could shape Obama's second term.

The threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program is the most urgent example of the foreign-policy challenges that face President Obama in his second term. Here are four others.

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Turkey, Kurds disagree over who was behind Paris killings

Kurdish rebels are pointing fingers at Turkish nationalists, but Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan said the killing of three Kurds in Paris yesterday was likely a result of internal feuding.
Tanzania withdraws bid to sell 'legal ivory;' Kenyan poachers kill 12 elephants (+video)

Conservation groups rebuff Tanzania's bid to sell $55 million in ivory and downgrade elephants' endangered status. But Kenya's largest massacre of elephants Jan. 5 points to the difficulties of ending poaching.
The Monitor's View: Cry for food in Syria may be opening for peace

The UN warns it cannot feed some 1 million displaced Syrians, many in war zones with few bread supplies. A global response to this humanitarian crisis might help diffuse differences over political solutions.
Hillary Clinton given helmet as joke (+video)

Clinton given helmet? Yes, Hillary Clinton was given a gag gift – a regulation white Riddell football helmet emblazoned with the State Department seal – upon her return to work after a month-long absence.
Backchannels In Egypt a new cabinet, but same old IMF problem

A day after President Mohamed Morsi reshuffled Egypt's cabinet, an IMF representative was in Cairo to discuss a $4.8 billion loan. But the cost of that needed cash appears steep.
IMF arrives in Egypt in effort to head off currency crisis

Leading bank HSBC said that a $4.8 billion International Monetary Fund loan is 'the only thing' preventing Egypt from a currency crisis brought on by post-revolution political upheaval.
Who faces tougher nomination: John Brennan at CIA or Chuck Hagel at defense?

Early Monday afternoon, President Obama will nominate John Brennan to head the CIA and Chuck Hagel to be secretary of defense. But both Hagel and Brennan may face an uphill nomination process.
Terrorism & Security Assad speech dismissed by opposition and allies

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad made a rare public speech yesterday that, outside the regime, is seen as offering nothing more than many more months of violence.
Turkey sees promise in pivoting north

With its attempts to join the EU stalled and its leadership role in the Middle East marred by Syria's conflict, Turkey is turning its attention to a less tumultuous border – the Black Sea.
Hagel may face opposition if nominated as defense secretary

Senators from both parties are predicting a difficult confirmation due to controversial statements the former Senator has made in the past.
Parents of journalist missing in Syria make public plea for his release (+video)

The parents of James Foley, age 39, who was kidnapped Syria while on assignment as a videographer for Agence France-Press have had no news of their son in six weeks. In 2012, 28 journalists were killed in Syria.
Change Agent Former Islamist seeks to turn the tide of religious extremism in Pakistan

Maajid Nawaz has founded Khudi, the first social movement in Pakistan to challenge extremist religious ideas and instead promote democratic culture among youths.
Opinion: Outrage over India gang rape shows the power of human dignity

The gang rape and death of a young woman in India has ignited outrage at sexual violence against women and girls in India and at corrupt police. Reactions to dehumanization and humiliation can spur movements for political and social change, as seen in Egypt and Tunisia.
Energy Voices Unconventional wisdom: 5 possible energy surprises for 2013

Cobb lists potential surprises in the energy world that conventional wisdom has judged rather unlikely to happen in 2013.
Opinion: In 2013, nothing more important than protecting hopes for democracy

The world faces serious issues in 2013, including debt and climate change. But nothing is more important to international stability and human progress than the aspirations of people upending authoritarian rule in pursuit of self-government. A look at three cases: Egypt, Myanmar, Malawi.
Focus Obama's pivot to Asia? Middle East will still demand attention in 2013.

The popular unrest of the last two years has left the Middle East volatile as 2013 kicks off.
General Norman Schwarzkopf, Desert Storm commander, dies at age 78

General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, who had an illustrious military career which included many high-profile commands, died Thursday of complications from pneumonia.
Russia urges Damascus to talk with Syrian opposition

Russia, Syria's biggest international supporter, is leaning on President Bashar al-Assad to begin a dialogue with the Syrian opposition and take steps toward ending the conflict.
The Monitor's View: Egypt's big lesson in democracy

Egypt adopted a postrevolutionary constitution this week. But the Arab nation has only begun to understand that democracy isn't only majority rule.
Focus In 2013, possibilities for stability from Somalia to South China Sea

Policymakers in many of the world's hot spots have a common New Year's wish: for unity to usher in and consolidate political and economic stability.
Syrian conflict threatens to fracture Iraq

Semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan and the central Iraqi government are on a collision course as the Kurds increasingly side with the Syrian opposition and Baghdad stands by the Assad regime.
Chuck Hagel: why his candidacy for Defense post is losing altitude

Critics of Chuck Hagel's potential candidacy have focused on remarks he made years ago about Israel, Iran, and Hamas. Some even called him anti-Semitic, a charge branded as outrageous, even by other critics.
Terrorism & Security UN envoy tries to revive Syria peace plan

The plan from UN special envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, is unlikely to gain traction without more concessions to the Syrian opposition.
Assad sends envoy to Moscow for talks on ending Syria's conflict

The Syrian senior diplomat is expected to discuss the UN mediator's proposals for ending the conflict. Russia, meanwhile, has signaled growing acceptance of President Assad exiting power.
Les Miserables reviews: What makes the movie different from the stage show?

Les Miserables reviews: British director Tom Hooper says the movie provides emotion via close ups. Les Miserables made its English language debut 27 years ago.