Middle East

No, Thank You — Don’t Come Again

Staff / Truthdig Sep 12, 2011 Moqtada al-Sadr, who is either the sharpest thorn in the side of US forces in Iraq or the linchpin of an Iraqi parliament frequently on the verge of coming apart -- or both -- has ordered his followers not to attack U troops in order to make sure the occupiers leave as quickly as possible. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Documents Show Close CIA Relationship to Gadhafi Regime

Staff / Truthdig Sep 4, 2011 The CIA had a close relationship with Libyan intelligence under the regime of Moammar Gadhafi, according to documents seized from Libyan intelligence headquarters. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Turkey Ousts Israeli Ambassador

Staff / Truthdig Sep 3, 2011 Turkey downgraded its diplomatic ties with Israel on Friday, announcing that the Israeli ambassador is no longer welcome and that it would sever military ties between the two countries. (more) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

EU Slaps a Ban on Syrian Oil

Staff / Truthdig Sep 3, 2011 The European Union announced Saturday that it is banning purchases of Syrian oil, a first for Europe, which had thus far avoided targeting Syrian industry as a method to stem the government violence there. (more) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Israeli Army Trains Settlers to Confront Palestinian Protesters

Staff / Truthdig Aug 30, 2011 Fearing a mass uprising if Palestinians win statehood in the U.N. next month, the Israel Defense Forces are training settlers in the West Bank and equipping settlement security personnel with tear gas and stun grenades. The IDF is also designating a point for each settlement at which soldiers are free to shoot at the legs of protesters. (more) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Gadhafi’s Wife and Children Flee to Algeria

Staff / Truthdig Aug 29, 2011 Moammar Gadhafi’s wife, two sons, a daughter, and a number of grandchildren escaped Libyan rebels and entered Algeria on Monday, according to the Algerian Foreign Ministry. His location, as well as the whereabouts of his other sons, remain unknown. (more) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

The View From a Libyan Hospital

Staff / Truthdig Aug 26, 2011 The morgues in Tripoli hospitals are overflowing with dead bodies, and doctors in just one hospital said they have been treating more than 500 patients a day for gunshot wounds. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Moammar and Leezza Sittin’ in a Tree

Staff / Truthdig Aug 26, 2011 An album filled with photos of former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was discovered in the seized compound of embattled Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi. In a 2007 interview, he referred to Rice as "my darling black African woman" and gave her the pet name "Leezza." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Reports of War Crimes as Tripoli Fighting Continues

Staff / Truthdig Aug 26, 2011 Libyan rebels control most of Tripoli, yet fighting continues in the capital amid reports of possible war crimes by both sides. One doctor told a BBC reporter that some rebel bodies delivered to his hospital had bullet holes in the back of their heads and wounds that indicated torture. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Retaliatory Attacks Between Israel and Gaza Continue

Staff / Truthdig Aug 25, 2011 Nine Palestinians died and 29 were wounded in a series of Israeli airstrikes that began Wednesday and continued Thursday. The air raids were in retaliation for a recent terrorist attack that killed eight Israelis and for continuing rocket fire over the Israel-Gaza border. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Syrian Cartoonist Attacked in a Warning to Dissidents

Staff / Truthdig Aug 25, 2011 Pro-Assad gunmen severely beat a popular Syrian political cartoonist Thursday, breaking both his hands as a warning to anti-government protesters that dissent is not welcome. (more) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Rebels Break Into Gadhafi’s Main Tripoli Compound

Staff / Truthdig Aug 23, 2011 Libyan rebel soldiers are said to have forced their way into Moammar Gadhafi's military compound in Tripoli after fighting back soldiers who remained loyal to the dictator. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )