West Asia highly mistrusts US ‘commitment’ to democracy, economic development: Poll

An overwhelming majority of citizens in West Asia and North Africa say they do not believe Washington is serious about helping the economic and political situation of the region

Bahraini spiritual leader: Elections might reinforce dictatorship under guise of democracy

The exiled spiritual leader suggested that a choice lies between free elections that represent the will of the people, or a boycott of the ballots

The Reconquest: In 2022 elections, an Algerian Islamophobe wants to purge France from ‘the Muslim peril’

An Algerian Jewish ‘demonizer’ of Arabs and Islam is the new political protagonist electrifying France’s 2022 presidential elections

From democrat to dictator to diplomat: Western media’s shifting narratives on Erdogan

Over 20 years of Erdogan's rule, the western media narrative has shifted from calling him a 'reformer' to labelling him a 'dictator.' Now, with the Turkish president's unexpected electoral comeback, western media's tone has softened yet again. 

Times of Israel publishes, promptly deletes piece calling for ‘obliteration of Palestine’

The inflammatory post is indicative of increasing calls in Israeli society to repeat the massacres and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians seen during the ‘Nakba’ 75 years ago

Sudan: The new geopolitical battlefield between east and west?

The potential outbreak of a civil war sparked by a factional fight within Sudan's military government poses a destabilization threat beyond the nation's borders – into Africa, West Asia, and the emerging multipolar order. This suits the west just fine.

Will Turkiye’s elections impact its place in a multipolar world?

An opposition victory in upcoming elections could 'westernize' Turkiye's foreign policy and disrupt Ankara's delicate balancing act in the new multipolar order.

The role of UK intelligence services in the abduction, murder of James Foley 

An investigation into British and American collusion with the terror groups that kidnapped and murdered western hostages in Syria.

The BBC’s abysmal coverage of Qatar’s World Cup

The British state-owned broadcaster’s refusal to show Qatar’s Opening Ceremony reeks of hypocrisy

Can Syria ever forgive Qatar?

While, one by one, regional states are restoring relations with Syria, Qatar will likely be the last welcomed back in Damascus

Saudi Arabia sentences activist to 18 years in prison

Muhammad al-Jedaei was initially detained in 2019, with the Saudi Court of Appeals extending his sentence on 31 August, during a period of crackdowns on individuals who oppose the kingdom

Peace with Syria: The final piece in Turkey’s foreign policy puzzle

Ankara has managed to reset relations with several neighbors, yet normalization with Damascus has remained the most elusive, until recently. Why now? And what will it take?

Hamas return ticket to Damascus won’t come cheap

The Palestinian resistance movement’s complicated relationship with Syria is headed for a reset, but it won’t be on their terms.

The unholy alliance: Hindutva and Zionism

The ideologies of Hindutva and Zionism have taken centre stage in India and Israel’s apartheid-based policies. They have a lot in common, probably more so than their supporters would like.

Bahrain king orders largest cabinet reshuffle in history of kingdom

The reshuffle comes after exiled Bahraini spiritual leader Ayatollah Isa Qassem urged citizens to boycott the elections only if they are held in a way that undermines the will of the people

Bahrainis to defy ban on Friday prayers in Diraz for second week in a row

Bahrain's ruling authorities banned Friday prayers at the main mosque in Diraz in 2016, a move criticized for silencing political dissent from the pulpits of mosques

Vote count ongoing in Lebanon one day after critical elections

Hezbollah and the Lebanese Forces have both claimed major gains in parliament ahead of the release of official results

Participation down as polls close across Lebanon

Citizens took to the polls for the first time since the start of what the World Bank describes as the world's worst economic crisis in 150 years

Lebanon votes in first polls since economic collapse

Lebanon's complex ‘confessional' power-sharing system sees the 128 parliament seats divided into two groups – 64 Muslims and 64 Christians

‘Mutually Assured Development’: a winning formula for Iran-Saudi rapprochement

Restoring diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia will not only benefit both countries economically, but can help stabilize global oil prices and end the war in Yemen.

An Emirati Trojan horse in Turkey

Erdogan welcomed MbZ with open arms and gained $10 billion for it; chump change for the Emirati crown prince who is on a quest to reshape West Asia

As Turkey spars with its western bride, the east nudges closer

Turkey averted yet another clash with western allies last weekend, but for how long can it endure the abuse before it makes a sharp turn east?

Turkey’s existential choice: BRI or bust

Turkey may be where east meets west, but it can no longer afford to straddle two opposing geoeconomic agendas vying to define West and Central Asia's development. Ankara must choose, and soon.

The Pashtun will outlast all empires, but can they hold Afghanistan’s center?

'An empire within an empire,' the Pashtun are essential to understanding the complexities of Afghanistan as a nation-state today. What is the 'Pashtun universe,' and why will they always outlast those who try to govern them?