Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu party, is one of Israel’s most popular and controversial politicians. In May 2016, Mr Lieberman was appointed defence minister by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he agreed to join the governing coalition. The deal was enough to prompt Moshe Yaalon, a senior member of Mr Netanyahu’s Likud […]

ISTANBUL (REUTERS) – President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said recordings related to the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, which Turkey has shared with Western allies, are “appalling” and shocked a Saudi intelligence officer who listened to them, Turkish media reported on Tuesday (Nov 13). Khashoggi, a critic of de facto Saudi ruler Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was […]

NASSIB, SYRIA (AFP) – Near the recently reopened border with Jordan, former Syrian rebel fighter Bahaa al-Masri sells date-filled pastries and sesame biscuits to Jordanians flocking across the frontier to snap up bargains. Syrian regime forces retook control of the Nassib border crossing from rebels in July, and last month reopened it after a three-year […]

The conference on Monday will be attended by representatives from major Libyan stakeholders and international powers. Palermo, Italy – Libya’s rival factions and key international players will meet in the Italian city of Palermo on Monday amid United Nations-led efforts to re-ignite a stalled political process and set the stage for general elections. The meeting will […]

WASHINGTON (REUTERS) – The United States is halting refueling of aircraft from the Saudi-led coalition engaged in Yemen, the United States and Saudi Arabia said on Friday (Nov 9), ending one of the most divisive aspects of US assistance to the Saudi war effort. Saudi Arabia, in a statement released by its embassy in Washington, […]

JERUSALEM (REUTERS) – Israeli police on Thursday (Nov 8) recommended bribery charges against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s lawyer and five other suspects in a US$2 billion (S$2.7 billion) sale of German Thyssenkrupp submarines to Israel. Mr Netanyahu was questioned by police in the investigation but, in a statement announcing its conclusion, police reiterated that the […]

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has picked five members of his cabinet from over 15,000 online applicants. Last month he opened up the recruitment of ministers to the public by setting up an online portal for applications. Prospective ministers were invited to attach a CV and evidence that they meet the requirements. The names […]

SANAA (AFP) – Yemen’s rebel chief vowed on Wednesday (Nov 7) he would never surrender to Saudi-backed forces, as international aid groups appealed for safe passage for civilians caught in the flashpoint port of Hodeida. After six days of intense battles that have left 200 combatants dead, pro-government forces pressed even closer to the heart […]

Abdel-Malik al-Houthi said he will not surrender as pro-government forces advance towards a key port city. The chief of Houthi rebels in Yemen has said he will “never surrender” to Saudi-backed pro-government forces as a fierce battle for control of a key port city deepens the humanitarian crisis. “Does the enemy think that penetrating this […]

Israel’s leaders often refer to their country being in a “tough neighbourhood” but recently there have been some extraordinary signs of friendliness with parts of the Arab world. Late last month, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife met the Sultan of Oman on a surprise, eight-hour visit – the first of its […]