Iran has signed a $16.6 billion deal for 80 Boeing passenger jets and claims to be close to another for dozens of Airbus planes. It’s Tehran’s biggest package of firm contracts with Western companies since Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution. The Airbus deal, which is expected to involve a first batch of 50-60 jets, should be […]
Iran signs order for 80 Boeing jets Read More »
Middle East, USASyrian government forces now control more than 95 percent of Aleppo, the Russian Defence Ministry was quoted as saying on Monday. It follows sweeping advances in what was the rebel-held east of the city, with reports that opposition fighters have been subjected to the heaviest bombardment in days. The districts of Sheikh Saeed and Karam
Aleppo ’95 percent under Syrian government control’ Read More »
International, Middle EastNetanyahu: ‘various ways’ I can work with Trump to roll back Iran nuclear deal (JNS.org) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has “about five” ideas in mind for how to roll back the Iranian nuclear deal once President-elect Donald Trump takes office. “There are ways, various ways of undoing [the deal],” Netanyahu said in
Middle East Roundup: December 12, 2016 Read More »
Middle EastIran”s defense minister on Sunday warned that if U.S. President-elect Donald Trump”s policies lead to a war in the Middle East, it would result in the destruction of Israel. “Even though a businessman, the assistants that … (Trump) has chosen may map a different path for him, and this has led to unease, particularly among
Iran warns: ‘Zionist regime’ would be destroyed in a war Read More »
Middle East, USAThe Palestinian Authority (PA) is interested in coming to an understanding with the outgoing administration of U.S. President Barack Obama that would avoid an American veto of a UN Security Council resolution that the PA intends to introduce in January, PA officials and Western diplomats told Haaretz on Saturday. The resolution would be critical of
PA trying to convince Obama not to veto UN resolution Read More »
Middle East, USAIn a Channel 2 interview at the Saban Forum, Jewish American journalist Thomas Friedman, who is also a senior commentator for the New York Times, spoke to journalist Dana Weiss regarding President-elect Donald Trump’s presidential victory. Have you gotten used to the idea of President Donald Trump? I fully recognize he won, he won fair
Journalist is ‘disappointed, concerned, but still believes’ Read More »
Middle East, USADozens of people have been killed and more than 160 wounded in two explosions near a football stadium in Istanbul, according to Turkey’s interior minister. One of blasts is understood to have hit directly outside the Vodafone Arena, while a suspected suicide bomber struck in the adjacent Macka park. The twin attack came two hours
Dozens killed in explosions near Istanbul football stadium Read More »
Middle EastMore than 4,000 Islamic State (IS) group militants have regrouped and launched a second attack to try to recapture the ancient city of Palmyra, rights monitors and Russian authorities said on Sunday. “Despite heavy losses in manpower and equipment, the terrorists are trying as hard as possible to secure a foothold inside the city,” the
Battle for Syria’s Palmyra rages as IS group launches new assault Read More »
Middle EastA bombing at Cairo’s largest Coptic cathedral has killed at least 25 people and wounded nearly 50 others. Most of the victims are reported to have been women and children. The explosion took place during a packed Sunday morning mass in a chapel adjourning St Mark’s. The cathedral is the main headquarters of Coptic Christians
Cairo attack: 25 dead, dozens wounded in Coptic cathedral bombing Read More »
Middle EastIstanbul (dpa) – Turkey’s government presented Saturday a draft constitution which proposes granting sweeping powers to the presidency, an office held by long-time leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a move critics warn would weaken checks and balance and democracy. The draft bill was presented to the speaker of parliament in Ankara, CNN Turk reported, after
Turkey presents draft constitution bill that would empower Erdogan Read More »
International, Middle EastSantos collects Nobel Prize in Oslo for deal with FARC Quotes anti-war song by Bob Dylan, 2016 literature winner Hopes Colombian deal can inspire peace talks elsewhere Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said an accord to end a 52-year civil war with Marxist rebels was a “ray of hope” for solving conflicts from Syria to
Colombian Nobel Prize winner says a “ray of hope” for Syria, Sudan Read More »
International, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual ArtsDecember 9 is the anniversary of one of those epochal events that shaped the modern world. The fall of Jerusalem, in 1917, during World War I. A Christian-led army — the British — took charge of the Holy City for the first time since the Crusades. Their defeat of the Ottoman Turks opened up the
Carrying what they can, thousands of people are continuing to flee from their homes in the embattled eastern neighbourhoods of the city of Aleppo in Syria. What Russia says The Russian Defence Ministry, quoted by the Interfax news agency, says more than 20,000 civilians have left eastern Aleppo on Saturday. The Ministry also says more
Syria: exodus continues from embattled Aleppo Read More »
International, Middle EastIn 60 Minutes interview, Israeli leader acknowledges relations with Obama have not always been smooth, though he insists it was never personal By Times of Israel staff Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to CBS’s 60 Minutes in an interview set for broadcast on December 11, 2016 (CBS screenshot) US President-elect Donald Trump feels “very warmly”
Netanyahu: Trump feels ‘very warmly’ about Israel, Jews Read More »
Middle East, USA