U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says Syrian President Bashar al-Assad can demonstrate the seriousness with which he has accepted a U.N. peace plan by withdrawing troops from civilian areas of Syria. President Assad on Tuesday agreed to the plan brokered by former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Secretary Clinton says President Assad’s acceptance of the More »
PlacesSATIRE: Top Ten Greatest Quotes by Arab Dictators
During this time of profound change in the Arab World, we thought we’d take a look at some of the most – how shall we say – bold, megalomaniacal, delusionary quotes from Arab leaders who have met untimely ends – or whose ends are imminent. If you know of any other famous quotes, More »
DIPLOMATIC NOTE: Assad Motives Questioned as Damascus Agrees to Annan Peace Plan for Syria
Having secured President Bashar al-Assad’s agreement to a peace plan for Syria, U.N./Arab League envoy Kofi Annan says “implementation will be key” to ending the uprising and enacting political reforms in Damascus. The six-point plan calls for a U.N.-monitored ceasefire, access for humanitarian aid workers, and an inclusive, Syrian-led political transition to a democratic, multi-party More »
Annan: Syria Accepts Peace Plan
International peace envoy Kofi Annan says Syria has accepted his plan to end violence in the country. A spokesman for Annan said Tuesday Syria’s response came in a letter to the U.N.-Arab League envoy. Annan met with Chinese officials Tuesday in Beijing, including Premier Wen Jiabao, as China pledged to support his mediation efforts. The plan More »
#AmnestyInternational : Executions Up in #Iran , #Saudi , #Iraq , Fueling Global Increase
Amnesty International says a marked rise in executions in Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq last year was enough to fuel an overall global increase in the use of the death penalty last year. Where do you stand on the death penalty? Vote and comment below. In a new report on capital punishment around the world, the More »
Annan Presses China on Syria Peace Plan
International peace envoy Kofi Annan is meeting with Chinese officials in Beijing as he tries to secure further support for his proposal to end violence in Syria, after winning the full backing of Russia. The U.N. and Arab League envoy visited China’s Foreign Ministry Tuesday, and is scheduled to meet with Premier Wen Jiabao later More »
FILL THE BLANK: My Life In #Kuwait Would Be Better If _______
Middle East Voices is trying a new approach to engage Kuwaitis and help shape our future coverage of issues that matter to Kuwaitis. We have a simple approach: FILL THE BLANK. Today’s question: My Life In #Kuwait Would Be Better If _______ Here’s how it works: - By using the Disqus comment fields below, type in your thoughts on More »
Israelis, Iranians on Facebook: Make Peace, Not War
Amid the drumbeat of war between Iran and Israel, an Israeli couple has launched an online peace campaign in an effort to reach out to Iranians and say “no” to a military conflict. Forty-one-year-old graphic designer Ronny Edry and his partner, 36-year-old Michal Tamir, launched the initiative last week by posting pictures of themselves with More »
WHITE HOUSE INSIGHT: Obama Discusses Iran, Mideast Tensions Impact on Gasoline Prices
More than three weeks after Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Barack Obama sat down to discuss strategy on the Iranian nuclear issue, there are fewer U.S. headlines (though perhaps not in Israel) about potential military action against Iran’s nuclear sites. As the White House always reminds reporters, and as President Obama has More »
UN-Arab League Envoy Annan Presses Russia on Syria
International peace envoy Kofi Annan is trying to garner support from Russia to help stop bloodshed in Syria during the crackdown on an anti-government uprising. It’s top news across Russia. Kofi Annan, the United Nations and Arab League special envoy, met in Moscow with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev as parts of efforts to end Syria’s year-long More »
Islamists Gain Majority on Egypt Constitution-Drafting Panel
Egyptian Islamists have won a majority of seats on a 100-member panel assigned with drafting a new constitution that secular and liberal groups fear will boost the role of Islam in society. Egypt’s official MENA news agency published the names of the panel members on Sunday, a day after they were selected in a joint More »
VIEWPOINT: The Kurdish Minority and the Future of Syria
The Kurdish minority in Syria comprises nearly 3 million people, about 12% of the population, the largest ethnic minority in the fragmented country. Yet, much of the literature relating to the Kurds in Syria refers to them as the “silent minority,” “the newly-discovered minority,” “the forgotten people,” terms which somehow tend to downgrade their More »
US to Offer Temporary Protective Status to Syrian Visitors
Arab American activists are welcoming news that the United States will grant special status to Syrians currently in the United States. Today, U.S. Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano approved the submitted Request for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syrian nationals. This means that Syrians in American will be allowed to remain beyond their current More »
When Will Saudis Give Women the Car Keys?
Of the many rights women are denied in Saudi Arabia, probably the most publicized outside of the kingdom is that Saudi men forbid women to drive cars. Women who get behind the wheel are arrested. Some of their behind-the-wheel protests have gone viral on YouTube and become staples on social media platforms. Some women have More »
EU Imposes Fresh Sanctions on Syria, as Violence Continues
The European Union has decided to impose new sanctions on the inner circle of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, as fresh clashes broke out across the country. European foreign ministers meeting in Brussels say they will impose a travel ban and asset freeze against several members of the president’s administration and family, including his British-born wife, More »
Clinton to Approve Military Aid to Egypt
A State Department official says the U.S. is set to release $1.3 billion in annual military aid to Egypt, despite concerns that it is not making sufficient democratic reforms. The official, who declined to be identified, says Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will announce Friday that Washington has decided to waive a legislative requirement making More »
A New Era? Saudis to Send Women to London 2012
After negotiations with the International Olympic Committee, it appears that Saudi Arabia will send its first female competitors to the London 2012 Olympics in July. Is this the beginning of a new era or just a token response to outside pressure? Saudi Arabia is one of three nations in the Olympic movements that have not More »
Nothing Comes Between Iranians And Their Satellite Dishes — Not Even The Police
For years now, the authorities in Iran have tried to crack down on the use of satellite dishes, which give Iranians access to foreign channels. The dishes are banned in the Islamic republic. Police officers spend a considerable amount of time searching for them, dismantling them, and confiscating them. (Video of one such “dismantling.”) But it More »
