Middle East

Info on Middle East

Middle East[132]
Bahrain[408]
IRAN[188]
IRAQ[17]
ISRAEL - Politics[1629]
Jordan[59]
Kuwait[17]
Lebanon[275]
Oman[44]
Palestine - Politics[322]
Qatar - Politics[578]
Saudi Arabia[345]
SYRIA[2364]
TURKEY - Politics[3840]
UAE[215]
Yemen[1044]

Hot Topics

Former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad stands in front of a blue background wearing a grey suit, he is looking away from the camera

The Fall of Bashar al-Assad – A Turning Point for Syria

Gripped under brutal dictatorships for decades, the Assad regime fell in less than two weeks. Assad's regime killed, tortured, dispossessed, and exiled millions of its people. Bashar was stripped of his power by rebel forces, an offshoot of al-Qaeda, as Syrians rejoiced in the streets. There are many opposition forces in and outside of the country, and the implications for Russia, Iran, Israel, and the U.S. remain to be seen. In a country where 90% of the population lives below the poverty line, there is much hope for a future of freedom and greater autonomy.

The Fall of Bashar al-Assad – A Turning Point for Syria

Six you men stand on top of a destroyed building, one of them is holding the yellow fllag of Hezbollah

Hezbollah - Militant Group Backed by Iran

Hezbollah are a Shiite Muslim Political Party & Militant Group in Lebanon who are funded almost entirely by Iran. They operate in total opposition to Israel and resist all forms of Western influence. They have a history of carrying out terrorist attacks andas such many countries have labelled them a terrorist organisation. Their long-standing alliances with Iran and Syria has morphed Hezbollah into a formidable military force, one which could standup against Israel. The group displayed support for the Hamas terror attack on Israel this October, however, has denied involvement with both planning and on the ground attacks. If the Hamas – Israel war continues to escalate, Hezbollah has said that further support will be provided. Due to their military strength, this would come at a tremendous human cost.

Hezbollah - Militant Group Backed by Iran

Image of Israeli and US flags with President Joe Biden signing document in background.

Biden - Netanyahu meeting

The meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Joe Biden comes at a time of great political turmoil in Israel, with massive protests against government plans to overhaul the judicial system, a move seen as damaging to true democracy. It will be their first meeting since Netanyahu took office last year as part of a hard-right government. Israeli immigrants in the US and American Jewish communities are demonstrating to express their dissatisfaction with Netanyahu's actions.

Biden - Netanyahu meeting

Image of protesters in the Turkish area of Akbelen who are campaigning against massive logging by the coal industry. They stand in a long line on an open field holding a large red banner with many trees in the background. The sign says 'Akbelen ormanini vermeyecegiz'

Akbelen Forest Protests in Turkey

The ecological destruction in Akbelen forest by the coal mining industry has been taking place for 40 years. After achieving some success to halt the large-scale felling of trees in recent years, new coal expansion has been approved. Activists from local villages have responded with a series of campaigns and protests only to be met by violence by the military who are protecting the operations of coal company Yeniköy Kemerköy Energy.

Akbelen Forest Protests in Turkey

Thousands of protesters line the streets at night in Israel demonstrating against Bibi's and Yariv Levin's plans to suppress the powers of the Supreme Court

Israel Judicial Crisis 2023 – Reforms and Protests

Israels right-wing and ultra-religious government has passed reforms stripping the Supreme Court of their power to shut down key governmental decisions by declaring them unreasonable. In this blatant attack on democracy, thousands of protesters have taken to the streets to demand the reforms be scraped, and for the resignation of Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Demonstrators are being supported by opposing political rivals, the Israeli military, and top business and legal figures.

Israel Judicial Crisis 2023 – Reforms and Protests

Protesters at Gezi Park in Istanbul Turkey hold a larg white banner which says 'Boyun Egme'. They are holding banners and waving flags.

10th Anniversary of the Gezi Park Protests

One of the largest anti-government mass movement events in Turkey began in 2013. Originally started by a few hundred who objected to the building of artillery barracks on one of the few remaining green spaces in Istanbul. Events soon spiralled into thousands of Turkish protesters who united to stand against larger issues in the country such as repression, unlawful punishments, police brutality, exploitation, and the authoritarian regime. 10-year commemorative events have been met with hostility and many have already been detained.

10th Anniversary of the Gezi Park Protests

Portrait of the Turkish President Erdoğan. He wears a black suit with a blue striped tie and a small pin of the red Turksih flag on his lapel.

Turkish Elections 2023

In one of the most important elections of the year, we see President Erdoğan fighting to maintain his 20 years of control against key rival Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. The election will be held on May 14, to a backdrop of growing dissatisfaction, economic downturn, rising inflation, and the deaths of more than 50,000 during the mismanaged earthquake back in February. With citizens desperate for change, Kılıçdaroğlu promises to restore democracy, judicial independence, and deport millions of refugees. Many Turkish people view another win by Erdoğan as huge loss for democracy.

Turkish Elections 2023

2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake montage displaying the epicentre of the Earthquake, the destruction that followed and the many victims left homeless

Turkey-Syria Earthquakes

Two lethal earthquakes struck southern Turkey and western Syria, causing widespread damage and deaths in the region. In Turkey, many poorly constructed buildings collapsed, leaving thousands of people trapped under the rubble and many more at the mercy of the cold winter. In Syria, still suffering from the wounds of 12 years of civil war, the quake came at a very vulnerable time, when the population was already suffering from food shortages, economic collapse, vulnerable infrastructure and a recent cholera outbreak.

Turkey-Syria Earthquakes

Iranian woman with long flowing hair holds a hijab in her fist - the hair reflects the Iranian flag with the protest slogan: Women, Live, Freedom!

Mahsa Amini and Iran Anti-Regime Protests

Protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini whilst under arrest for violation of the strict hijab law continue to rock Iran and the world. Demonstrations against mandatory hijab use soon evolved into demands for greater freedoms, women's rights, and against the controversial morality police and harsh Iranian regime. Now being labelled the Iran Revolution, the government has responded with widespread internet blackouts, tear gas, and gun fire. 185 people have already lost their lives as Iranians desperately fight for massive governmental change.

Mahsa Amini and Iran Anti-Regime Protests

Can Israel really annex the West Bank?

Tensions regarding the West Bank have existed since 1967. In September 2019, Prime Minister Netanyahu announced his plan to annex the area – breaking international law. We cover the effects on Palestinians, the potential area mapped out, the reactions of various countries around the world, and everything else you need to know.

Can Israel really annex the West Bank?

9 years and counting of civil war in Syria

Originally stemmed from discontent with the Syrian government in 2011, the Syrian Armed Forces, ISIL, and many other rebel groups have created a humanitarian crisis of disastrous scale. Foreign involvement has complicated matters further, crime has taken over, ancient heritage sites destroyed, and 3.8 million have been made refugees. Will Syrian’s ever find peace?

9 years and counting of civil war in Syria

Male protesters looking serious holding wooden placards against the war in Yemen

Humanitarian crisis in Yemen

Since 2015, a civil war has raged in Yemen over the official governance of the country. As a consequence, 13 million Yemeni civilians are facing starvation. The war has destroyed civilian areas, and killed thousands – controversially with bombs provided by the US and UK. With no viable water supply, agriculture has collapsed, and health has deteriorated rapidly.

Humanitarian crisis in Yemen

Lebanese Protests

In an inspiring demonstration of unity, thousands of Lebanese have been protesting in the country's major cities, since the government announced a tax on social media apps. A proposal that was abandoned in a few hours, but the protests had already focused on deeper issues, such as political corruption and the country's high level of indebtedness. Demonstrations continue, even after the Prime Minister's resignation, as people demand more in-depth change.

Lebanese Protests

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