Topic: Middle East

Featured

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.

All Content

Panama arrests former CIA station chief sought by Italy in rendition case

Robert Lady was the CIA station chief in Milan when wanted Egyptian cleric Nasr was pulled from the streets there and sent back to Egypt where his lawyer says he was tortured.
Palestinians: Israel must agree on borders

Kerry has been shuttling for months in search of a formula to allow resumption of talks for the first time since 2008. Israeli settlements remain at the heart of the deadlock.
John Kerry nudges Middle East peace process: Could he be getting somewhere?

Secretary of State John Kerry, in his sixth trip to the Middle East this year, is meeting with Arab League leaders who are behind a renewed version of a 2002 Arab peace initiative with Israel.
Human toll of Syria's civil war echoes Rwandan genocide, says UN

Approximately 5,000 Syrians are dying each month, and an average of 6,000 people flee the country every day, UN officials reported Tuesday. Since the war began, nearly 93,000 people are dead, and 1.8 million have fled.
Opinion US must not miss new opportunity to engage with Iran

For 30 years, the US and Iran have squandered engagement opportunities. President Obama – especially as US officials meet with allies in Brussels today to discuss next steps in nuclear negotiations with Tehran – should avoid a redux with Iran’s President-elect Hassan Rouhani.
Olive Press A different worry in the Mideast: 'Have you seen my sheep?'

I could understand the toothless Bedu lady's concern. Three lost sheep meant the ovine equivalent of up to $600 lost among the rocky crags of this central Lebanon wilderness.
In Gear Gas prices could soar in August. Here's why.

Motorists could see gas prices rise by 25 to 30 cents per gallon next month-- well before the uptick we expect in September and October. Gas prices typically rise in the fall, but rocketing oil prices and a drop in gold could push the increase earlier, some analysts say.
Opinion For Obama, Bush, Reagan, no vacation from politics

President Obama doesn’t have his own ranch or summer compound as a vacation retreat, so he stays in rental properties, which seem high-end. Obama has also spent much less time on vacation than his predecessor. In truth, presidents don't get a real break from their job – or from politics.
Global Viewpoint Healing Egypt: Three steps to unify a divided nation

The uprising of millions of Egyptians since June 30 has led to sharp polarization. Growing up in Egypt, I never saw the country as divided as it is today. Efforts to rebuild the nation must focus on justice, reconciliation, and inclusiveness.
Drone carrier landing: Navy successfully completes unmanned carrier landing (+video)

Drone carrier landing: The landing of the X-47B experimental aircraft means the Navy can move forward with its plans to develop another unmanned aircraft that will join the fleet alongside traditional airplanes to provide around-the-clock surveillance while also possessing a strike capability.
Beirut bombing targets Hezbollah and its Syrian mission

The Shiite militant group has been waiting for retaliation in Lebanon for its role fighting alongside the Syrian regime.
Egypt ousts Mursi, creating dilemma for West

Egyptians elected Mohamed Mursi as president in a vote held just a year ago. On Wednesday, the country's military overthrew his government. Many celebrated his departure, while others worried about the transition away from a democratically-elected government.
Energy Voices Why oil prices rise on Egypt unrest (+video)

Oil prices spiked above $102 a barrel Wednesday as protesters poured into the streets of Cairo and the Egyptian military ousted President Mohammed Morsi. Egypt is critical to regional oil transportation and has investors worried that protests could spread elsewhere in the region.
Energy Voices Fourth of July travel: Gas prices drop for Independence Day (+video)

Fourth of July celebrations just got a bit more festive with a recent drop in gas prices. If it lasts much beyond the Fourth of July will depend on turmoil in Egypt and across the Middle East, the economy, and especially hurricane season.
Why Russia evacuated its naval base in Syria

Now that Russian ships can stop in Cyprus, having personnel in Syria isn't worth the risk.
Opinion The two-state solution for Israel and Palestinians needs a big boost

Those on the extremes of the Palestinian and Israeli conflict don’t see a two-state solution as viable – or preferable. Secretary of State John Kerry and those in the center with practical ideas about how to achieve two peaceful states must strengthen their voices.
Jon Stewart in Cairo isn't just about laughs (+video)

American comedian Jon Stewart sat down with Bassem Youssef, the host of Egypt's most popular satire show, last night, swapping jokes but also concern about free speech in Egypt.
Kerry and 'Friends of Syria' to meet in Doha

The meeting will address arming Syrian rebels and a stalled peace effort. Lots of supporters of rebels will be there, but key backers of Syria's government, like Russia, won't.
Energy Voices The future of natural gas is the car?

Rising use of natural gas in the transportation sector will offset a slowdown in other areas, says the International Energy Agency in a new report. But don't expect natural gas vehicles to dominate roadways anytime soon.
Israel has struck energy gold offshore. Now what?

Israel has long bemoaned its lack of natural resources in the oil-rich Middle East. With the discovery of offshore natural gas fields, it faces big economic decisions.
Backchannels What's Obama's strategy for Syria?

Go figure.
Energy Voices The consequences of 'extreme energy'

Proponents of fracking, the Keystone XL pipeline, and deep-offshore production all say that these are just other forms of 'oil' and 'clean-burning natural gas,' without explaining that these forms of 'extreme energy' have significantly worse impacts on the environment, Michael Klare, a professor of peace and world security studies at Hampshire College, says in an interview with OilPrice.com.
The Monitor's View Brazil protests in a global trend

The Brazil protests follow those in Turkey and India, all three developing countries with established democracies. While the sparks for the protests differ, the theme is the same: Fix democracy; don't replace it.
'G7 plus one'? Isolated Russia holds line on Syria.

The G8 summit ended today with Russia far from agreement with the West over how to resolve the Syrian civil war. Russian experts say the rift is probably permanent.
The Monitor's View Iran election's surprise winner

The unexpected victory of Hassan Rohani In Iran's presidential election confirms his hint that legitimacy lies with the people, not the turbaned cleric elite.