World Bank approves loan to support Lebanon’s wheat imports

The Islamic Republic of Iran has previously offered to provide the crisis-hit nation with wheat to avert a food crisis

Syria boosts grain imports from Russia-annexed Crimea

Ukraine claims that the grain headed for the war-torn country has been ‘stolen’ from Crimea by Russia

Afghanistan requests import of oil and wheat from Russia

Afghanistan is looking to boost its trade ties with Moscow after years of not doing so under the former US-backed administration

Lebanon extends credit line for wheat at last minute to avert crisis

The release of funds comes days after the bread-making industry announced there was no wheat left in storage and their factories had stopped producing bread

Oxfam: Palestinian wheat stocks could soon run out due to the Ukraine crisis

The Palestinian Authority imports 95 percent of the wheat sold in the occupied territories, but has no storage facilities

Lebanon’s wheat reserves empty due to manufactured crisis

A multitude of avoidable circumstances have led to the lack of wheat supplies in Lebanon, forcing bakers to shut down operations

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.

Russian envoy to Afghanistan alleges US support for ISIS-K

As the Taliban government seeks improved relations and trade with neighboring countries, including Russia and China, ISIS-K attacks continue to de-stabilize the country

Lebanon refutes claim of ‘stolen grain’ as Ukraine seeks to confiscate vital cargo

A Ukrainian judge has ordered the seizure of the Syrian ship's cargo, with the ruling highlighting that Kiev is ready to 'negotiate' with Beirut for the release of the much-needed grain

‘Ukrainians offer no evidence’ says Lebanese customs official over allegedly looted Syrian ship cargo

The Ukrainian accusation has caused a 'huge ruckus' at the highest levels of Lebanon's government

Yemen’s Ansarallah launches ‘food missiles’ to help starving people in Hodeidah: Report

Between eight to ten rockets containing food are launched into the city of Al-Durayhimi on a daily basis, amounting to 2,500 rockets since 2018

UN leader warns of looming global food shortages

West Asia has been hardest hit by the fallout of western sanctions imposed on Russia, with Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan all facing severe food shortages

Rights group sounds alarm over unprecedented food crisis in West Asia

The conflict in Ukraine and western sanctions on Russia have exacerbated a global supply crisis that was set off by the COVID-19 pandemic

Ukraine war triggers food security crisis in Arab world and beyond

Russia and Ukraine supply most of West Asia and North Africa’s wheat, which is the integral ingredient in the region’s most critical food staple

Lebanese economy minister meets with Turkish, Indian ambassadors to discuss looming crisis

With at least 60 percent of its wheat imports coming from Russia and Ukraine, the Levantine nation is facing a food crisis

Afghanistan seeks boost in energy ties with Russia

In September 2022, Afghanistan signed its first major international agreement to import Russian fuel and wheat

EU prosecutors grill Lebanon’s finance minister over central bank corruption

Youssef Khalil claimed that during his nearly 30-year tenure at the central bank he was unaware of any corruption or embezzlement of public funds

France to press fraud, money laundering charges against Lebanon’s cenbank chief: Report

Riad Salameh faces money laundering charges in Lebanon and several European countries

Lebanon’s cenbank chief grilled by EU prosecutors, denies embezzling public funds

Riad Salameh, who the UN says is guilty of human rights violations for his role in creating Lebanon's economic crisis, claims to be the victim of political persecution

From Russia with Love: Su-35s to Iran will strengthen defense ties

Iran's possible purchase of Russian fighter jets would further solidify the existing strategic partnership between Moscow and Tehran, and impact their global power competition with the west.

Iran’s revolution at 44: A struggling economy with big potential

Forty-four years on from the Islamic Revolution, Iran boasts a more diversified economy, advances in technology, and major development milestones - despite decades of western sanctions aimed at hindering such progress.

EU inspectors launch probe against Lebanon’s central bank chief

According to European judicial documents, since 2002, Riad Salameh embezzled hundreds of millions in public funds using a shell company registered in the Virgin Islands

US court ruling opens door for Lebanese banks to be prosecuted on foreign soil

Lebanon's financial institutions have evaded any responsibility for their role in the crisis gripping the nation, and have instead placed the burden on regular citizens

France investigates paramour of Lebanon’s central bank chief for money laundering

Riad Salameh has avoided detention throughout the past year thanks to the protection afforded to him by high officials and by the US ambassador to Lebanon

‘Not a choice, but necessity:’ Iran, India recalibrating ties amid geopolitical shifts

Following a drop in trade brought on by US sanctions, New Delhi and Tehran - boosted by their mutual strong relations with Moscow - are set to revamp ties in a new era of Eurasian multipolarity. 

Germany, France ask to bypass Lebanese judges ‘impeding’ corruption probe into central bank chief

Riad Salameh faces money laundering and embezzlement charges in France, Germany, Luxembourg, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, and Lebanon

Climate change could displace millions from West Asia and North Africa: Report

Egypt will host the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 27) from 6 November to 18 November in Sharm El Sheikh

Mustafa Al-Kadhimi: The Iraqi PM who did nothing

Following his meteoric rise in Iraqi politics, what has been the legacy of Mustafa al-Kadhimi, and whose interests did he really serve?

Lebanon’s central bank chief guilty of embezzling millions in public funds

Official documents show Riad Salameh laundered millions using real estate owned by shell companies linked to his close relatives, and did so with full impunity from other central bank authorities

Over 200 oil tankers escorted out of Syria by US troops within two days

Syria currently relies on Iranian fuel shipments to meets its energy demands, as the nation's vast oil fields remain under the control of US occupation troops