GCC

Middle East Monitor | – – Millions of children are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance in Yemen, UNICEF’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa said in a press conference Sunday in Jordan’s capital Amman. “More than 11 million Yemeni children are today in acute need of humanitarian assistance. This number makes […]

GCC

Kuwait, Terrified of Gulf Depression, Frantically Mediating Saudi-Qatar Crisis

contributors

Nicolai Due-Gundersen | (The Conversation) | – – A blockade against Qatar by its Gulf neighbours is now in its fifth month. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates severed socio-economic ties with Qatar as punishment for its alleged support of terrorism and interference in their affairs. As well as hurting Qatar’s economy, […]

Arab World

Is the Gulf Crisis bringing Iraq back into Arab World?

contributors

Mustafa Habib | Baghdad | ( Niqash.org ) | – – Countries like Saudi Arabia are showing new willingness to open diplomatic channels with Iraq. Motivations include a military they now respect, opportunities for reconstruction and countering Iranian influence. Iraqi diplomats have had a busy month. There have been dozens of officials from Arab countries […]

GCC

What impact will Saudi-Qatar Struggle have on Palestinians?

contributors

By Israa Khater | ( OpenDemocracy.org ) | – – No conflict in the Middle East spares the Palestinians, and the recent crisis in the GCC is no exception. Following the escalation of the GCC crisis and the deteriorating relationship between Qatar and the Gulf Triad (Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain), along with Egypt, […]

Authoritarianism

Saudi Bloc: Qatar’s Al Jazeera can Stay, it Just has to Report as We Say

contributors

TeleSur | – – Al Jazeera said it rejects any “external intervention” and reiterates its “independence and professional editorial stance.” The four Arab countries currently boycotting Qatar are set to drop their demand that the Al Jazeera Media Network be shut down, a United Arab Emirates minister said. The closure of the Qatar-based broadcaster and […]

censorship

UN: Saudi Bloc attempt to close Al Jazeera is attack on Freedom of Expression

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Reuters reports that U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, is “extremely concerned by the demand that Qatar close down the Al Jazeera network, as well as other affiliated media outlets.” The statement was released by UNCHR spokesman Rupert Colville. Colville added: “Whether or […]

censorship

Turkey’s Erdogan: Saudi demand he close Qatar base is ‘Disrespectful’

contributors

TeleSur | – – Erdogan told journalists after Eid al-Fitr prayers that “It (the list of demands from Qatar’s neighbors to lift the ban) is a breach of Qatar’s sovereignty rights.” On Sunday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan declared that he supported Qatar’s response to a list of demands issued by the Arab states that boycotted […]

Donald Trump

How Long can Qatar defy its powerful neighbors? It depends on Trump

contributors

By Nader Habibi | (Conversation) | – – The recent decision by half the nations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and a few other countries to isolate fellow member Qatar came as a surprise to many – though perhaps it shouldn’t have. Nearly all of Qatar’s residents live in its capital, Doha. Doha skyline […]

Climate Change

Why Saudi Extremism, Instability is an Argument for EVs, Wind and Solar Energy

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Saudi Arabia has gotten too big for its britches, and the oil-producing Middle East is turning even more unstable. Not to mention that global warming is getting worse and worse because of burning fossil fuels like petroleum. And it is your fault. If you are an […]