middle east

The Messiah Wars: How Israel and Iran's Visions Shape Middle Eastern Politics

In the high-stakes chess game of Middle Eastern politics, a hidden force drives both Israel and Iran toward an eerily similar endgame, an unshakable belief that history is hurtling toward a divinely orchestrated climax. On one side, Israel’s religious circles whisper about the long-awaited Messiah, a figure destined to restore their ancient ...

Syria's New Rulers Urge Russia to Fix Past Mistakes

Syria's new leadership on Wednesday urged Moscow to "address past mistakes" during talks with visiting Russian officials -- the first since former president Bashar al-Assad, a Kremlin ally, was toppled last month. The visit came with Russia keen to secure the fate of two military bases in Syria and after Russian President Vladimir Putin denied ...

Syria: Senior Russian Officials In Damascus For The First Time Since The Fall Of Assad

Two senior Russian officials met new government leaders in Damascus on Tuesday, a first since the fall of the Kremlin's ally, ex-president Bashar al-Assad, in December. Moscow wants to keep its two major military bases in Syria. Quoted by the Russian press agencies, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said that he and his delegation had ...

Israel Ends All Relations with UNRWA, Citing Security Concerns

Israel will cease all contact with the UN's Palestinian relief agency UNRWA and any other body acting on its behalf, its UN envoy said Tuesday, after repeatedly accusing the organization of undermining its security. UNRWA's offices and staff in Israel play a major role in the provision of healthcare and education to Palestinians, but ...

US Senate Confirms Pete Hegseth as Pentagon Chief

The US Senate narrowly confirmed former Fox News co-host Pete Hegseth as Pentagon chief on Friday, despite allegations of alcohol abuse, sexual misconduct and other fears about his ability to lead the world's most powerful military. Three Republican senators voted against Donald Trump's pick as secretary of defense, resulting in a 50-50 tie that ...

Saudi Diplomat Visits Lebanon, Signals Renewal of Regional Relations

In a significant diplomatic move, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud concluded his visit to Baabda, where he met with newly elected President Joseph Aoun. This visit marks a historic moment, as it is the first time in 15 years that a high-ranking Saudi diplomat has visited Beirut. Strengthening Ties with Lebanon During his visit, ...

Eastern Patriarchs: The Challenge of Unity

The unity of Christians has never been more vital amid the evolving realities of the Middle East. The “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity,” observed from January 18 to 25, offers a timely opportunity to reaffirm this essential mission. This annual tradition boasts a complex history. It originated from the 19th-century ecumenical movement aimed ...

The New Middle East: A Struggle Between Two Visions

Over the past 80 years, the Middle East has consistently defied the predictions of analysts and commentators. The impulsive decisions of individual autocrats, and the complex interplay of geopolitics, wealth, religion, and great-power rivalry have made the region uniquely vulnerable to rapid and often catastrophic upheavals. We can cite countless ...

The Trump Team Takes Shape: Part 2 – Nominations Not Subject to Senate Confirmation

In the United States, the Constitution mandates that certain presidential appointments receive Senate approval through a confirmation vote. A new president is tasked with filling over 1,200 positions within the Executive Branch, subject to the Senate’s advice and consent, according to the Center for Presidential Transition. These appointments ...

Cyprus tourist arrivals topped four million in 2024

Cyprus tourist arrivals exceeded four million for the first time last year despite devastating wars in the nearby Middle East, official figures showed on Friday. Tourism Minister Costas Koumis called the figures a "historic achievement" with income expected to exceed three billion euros for the first time. But he warned that the island, which ...

The Trump Administration and the Challenge of Multiple US Presidential Envoys to the Middle East

As the second Donald Trump administration begins its term, it is poised to tackle significant global challenges, particularly in the Middle East. The conflict dynamics are in constant flux between escalation and de-escalation, which brings ongoing concerns about the potential for costly US intervention. Recent surveys by the Council on Foreign ...