North Korea Qualifies for 2010 World Cup

Staff / Truthdig Jun 19, 2009 After an uninspiring scoreless draw with fellow autocratic state Saudi Arabia, it seems that North Korea's football (soccer) team has managed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The qualification raises the possibility of a cup confrontation with South Korea -- or even the U.S. -- next summer. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Death Penalty Keeps U.S. in Bad Company

Staff / Truthdig Mar 24, 2009 Here's a list of countries where you don't want to find yourself when it comes to human rights: Saudi Arabia, Iran, China, Iraq, Pakistan and the good ol' US of A Those six states execute more of their citizens than any others, according to Amnesty International's latest tally The U is the fourth-worst offender. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Saudi Woman, 75, Faces Lashing for Letting In Delivery Men

Staff / Truthdig Mar 12, 2009 For the crime of receiving two unrelated men in her home, a 75-year-old Saudi woman has been sentenced to 40 lashes and four months behind bars. Once again, a nation that is both one of America's closest allies and brutally oppressive of women finds itself in an awkward light. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Sizing Up the Damage in Gaza

Staff / Truthdig Jan 19, 2009 Now that the war in Gaza has ground to a halt, local and international groups are assessing the needs of tens of thousands of embattled and displaced Palestinians, some of whom have gone for many days without water or power, and are preparing to send aid as soon as possible. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Pirates Hijack Saudi Oil Tanker

Staff / Truthdig Nov 18, 2008 A huge Saudi-owned oil tanker, the Sirius Star, was seized by pirates on Saturday as it headed toward the U.S. with 2 million barrels of oil and 25 crew members on board. The tanker is now on its way to Somalia. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Oil Mania

Marie Cocco / Truthdig Jun 24, 2008 There's nothing like the Saudi version of straight talk to put in perspective the tongue-twisting of American politicians. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Two Mideast Peace Stories, for a Change

Staff / Truthdig May 24, 2008 The Mosaic Intelligence Report looks at two welcome developments in the Middle East: On Wednesday, Israel and Syria said they had begun indirect talks in Turkey, the first confirmation in eight years of negotiations between the long-time enemies. On that same day, the Gulf state of Qatar scored a diplomatic coup by pulling off a deal intended to end Lebanon's protracted crisis. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Paying for War at the Pump

Robert Scheer / Truthdig May 21, 2008 What's it got to do with the price of gas? Would some reporter with access to the Republican presidential candidate please ask John McCain why he wants to continue President Bush's Mideast policy when it has proved so ruinous for American taxpayers? Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Iran Wins in Lebanon

Staff / Truthdig May 19, 2008 Hezbollah was the obvious winner of the recent fighting in Lebanon, but the conflict reflected a broader trend in the Middle East. For all of President Bush's bluster, Iran is stronger and more influential than when he took office. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Saudi Arabia Thinks Big

Staff / Truthdig Mar 21, 2008 The House of Saud clearly takes a top-down approach to ruling. Under mounting pressure from the West to confront religious fundamentalism, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Religious Affairs plans to retrain some 40,000 imams. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Iran’s President Is Smiling — Mosaic Tells Us Why

Staff / Truthdig Mar 8, 2008 This week's Mosaic Intelligence Report from Link TV takes a look at Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to Iraq, where he was greeted with smiles and red carpets, and explains how Ahmadinejad has "outmaneuvered" President Bush everywhere in the Middle East (except Israel). Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Saudi Court Punishes Rape Victim

Staff / Truthdig Nov 16, 2007 A Saudi woman has been sentenced to 200 lashes and six months in jail by an appeals court because she was riding in a car with a man when she was attacked and gang-raped by seven men. It is forbidden in Saudi Arabia for unmarried men and women to be together. She was 19 at the time of the attack. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )