Since the moment Barack Obama took office, he has made a concerted effort to speak directly to the Muslim world. Even his inauguration address sent a new and different message from the United States: “To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect,” he said on January 20, standing in front of a changed nation
Tag Archives: hezbollah
Generals held in Hariri killing walk free
Four generals held without charges since 2005 in connection with the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri were freed Wednesday on orders from the U.N.
Israeli FM questioned in bribery probe
A day after he assumed his new job, controversial Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Thursday endured more than seven hours of questioning by police in a long-standing probe over business dealings. Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said National Fraud Investigation Unit officers queried Lieberman “under warning” on suspicion of bribery, money laundering, fraud, and breach of trust
Israeli foreign minister spurns Annapolis peace process
Israel’s new hard-line foreign minister immediately distanced himself Wednesday from the 2007 relaunch of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians adopted by his predecessor, Tzipi Livni. Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the far-right Yisrael Beytenu movement, said the Annapolis agreement was never adopted by Israeli’s government and is not binding.
Bomb threat looms over Lebanese villagers
Diab Diab lost an eye and part of a leg trying to clear unexploded bombs from the fields of southern Lebanon.
UK lawmakers aim to ‘force’ Hamas talks
A group of British politicians is trying to force the government in London to talk to Hamas, the militant Palestinian movement considered a terrorist organization by the United Kingdom, one of the politicians told CNN. Baroness Jenny Tonge, a member of the House of Lords, met the political leader of Hamas, Khaled Meshaal, in Syria along with other British politicians on Saturday, she said.
Analysis: Engaging Syria carries potential risks, rewards
The practice of dealing with your enemy has a name; it’s called realism.
U.S., Syria find ‘common ground’ in diplomatic talks
The United States and Syria found a lot of "common ground" on which to cooperate in the Middle East, the State Department’s top Middle East official said after talks in Damascus. But envoy Jeffrey Feltman on Saturday warned to “keep expectations in check” as Washington and Damascus re-engage after several years of strained relations.
Nationalist could be Israel’s next foreign minister
Israeli media are buzzing with reports that right-wing nationalist Avigdor Lieberman may become Israel’s next foreign minister. The appointment of Lieberman, a polarizing figure in Israeli politics, could complicate the stalled peace talks with the Palestinians. It could also further strain relations between Israel and moderate Arab countries
Clinton warns of Iranian threat to Europe, Russia
Iran poses a threat to Europe and Russia, both from Tehran’s direct efforts and its support of terrorist groups, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday. The Tehran government is intent on interfering in the Middle East, she told reporters aboard her flight to Brussels from the region