Apr 7Yemen’s Hadi steps down after 10 years as ‘temporary’ presidentAfter months of apparent deadlock, the last few days have brought tentative signs of a shift in Yemen’s seven-year conflict. On Friday Hans Grundberg, the UN’s special envoy, announced that the protagonists had agreed to a two-month ceasefire. The truce, which came into force on Saturday, was the first since…Yemen5 min read
Feb 21Kuwait’s law against ‘imitating the opposite sex’ is ruled unconstitutionalHuman rights organisations have welcomed a decision by Kuwait’s constitutional court last week which overturned a law criminalising “imitation of the opposite sex”. Amnesty International hailed the ruling as “a major breakthrough for transgender rights in the region” and Human Rights Watch described it is a positive step, adding that…Kuwait4 min read
Jan 31Academic publisher removes conspiracy theorist’s chapter from new bookA new book containing a chapter by a prominent defender of Syria’s Assad regime has been withdrawn from sale, the publisher confirmed today. The Research Handbook on Political Propaganda comprises 29 chapters by a variety of academic authors. …Syria2 min read
Jan 29Covid-19 infections reach new peak in Middle East but rate of increase is slowingRecord numbers of Covid-19 infections have been reported in the Middle East and North Africa this week — for the third week running. However, this week’s increase is smaller than in the previous two weeks, suggesting the sudden spike caused by the Omicron variant may not last very long. Official…Covid 192 min read
Jan 15Covid-19 infections soar to record levels in Middle EastRecord numbers of Covid-19 infections have been reported in the Middle East and North Africa this week. Official figures show more than 570,000 new cases during the last seven days — indicating that the Omicron variant is now spreading rapidly in the region. Among the 20 countries monitored, nine show…Covid 191 min read
Jan 2Covid infections show sharp upturn in Middle EastCovid-19 cases are rising again in the Middle East and North Africa. Last week’s daily average of new infections across the region was running almost 50% above the previous week’s figure. Among the 20 countries monitored, 13 reported increases and in six of those the week-on-week rise was more than…Covid 191 min read
Dec 27, 2021Man arrested in France on suspicion of sending chemical weapons supplies to SyriaA man suspected of supplying equipment to the Syrian army — including components that could be used in the manufacture of chemical weapons — has been arrested in the south of France after arriving there for a holiday, French media reported on Sunday. The man has not been officially named…Syria2 min read
Dec 23, 2021How a book about propaganda succumbed to a pro-Assad propagandistThe Research Handbook on Political Propaganda is a new book described by its publishers as “a crucial resource for both scholars and students”. Optimistically priced at £195 ($258), it has 29 chapters by different authors presenting academic studies of propaganda in a variety of countries. There is one chapter, though…Syria4 min read
Dec 20, 2021Mystery of Abu Dhabi’s ‘magnetic’ Covid detectorsOn Sunday the Gulf emirate of Abu Dhabi began using a new Covid-19 “scanning” system to check people arriving by road from neighbouring Dubai. The system is a local invention and if it lives up to the claims made by its supporters it could revolutionise testing methods. Known as Exponential…Abu Dhabi3 min read
Dec 17, 2021The British MP who became Saudi Arabia’s most devoted supporterDaniel Kawczynski is the member of parliament for Shrewsbury in England, though he is jokingly known as the member for Riyadh. “I feel passionately about Saudi Arabia,” he told the House of Commons during a debate in 2011. …Saudi Arabia6 min read
