Middle East

Palestinian Authority Cuts All Ties With U.S. Over Trump’s ‘Peace Plan’

Eoin Higgins / Common Dreams Feb 2, 2020 The Trump proposal effectively allows Israel carte blanche to continue the occupation and theft of Palestinian land. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Iraqi Blocs Choose New PM-Designate After Weeks of Jockeying

QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA and SAMYA KULLAB / The Associated Press Feb 1, 2020 Former communications minister Mohammed Allawi is selected to replace outgoing Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Syrian Troops Capture Key Town in Rebel-Held Idlib Province

ALBERT AJI and BASSEM MROUE / The Associated Press Jan 29, 2020 The offensive, part of a Russian-backed military assault, is displacing hundreds of thousands who are fleeing to safer areas. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Palestinians Call on World to Reject Trump ‘Peace’ Deal

Julia Conley / Common Dreams Jan 28, 2020 Opponents decry the plan as little more than a distraction from the domestic scandals of the U.S. president and Israeli prime minister. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Trump Unveils Controversial Peace Plan for the Middle East

MATTHEW LEE and ARON HELLER / The Associated Press Jan 28, 2020 The president, with Netanyahu at his side, details the proposal to create a state of Palestine while ceding major West Bank blocs to Israel. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Fighting Rages as Libya Force Pushes Toward Key Western City

SAMY MAGDY / The Associated Press Jan 26, 2020 The cease-fire further crumbles as militias loyal to commander Khalifa Hifter advance on Misrata in clashes with Tripoli government allies. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Pakistan Is Cleaning Up Trump’s Mideast Mess

Zubeida Mustafa / Truthdig Jan 24, 2020 From Iran to Afghanistan, Pakistan’s role in dialing back U.S.-created tensions has been vital—but it won’t be for free. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Trump to Announce Peace Plan Giving Israel ‘Everything It Wants’

Eoin Higgins / Common Dreams Jan 24, 2020 The president's "deal of the century" meets nearly all of Benjamin Netanyahu's demands without formally recognizing a Palestinian state. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Paul Krugman in Imperial Fantasy Land

Jacob Bacharach / Truthdig Jan 14, 2020 The New York Times columnist insists that Donald Trump is an aberration. It’s an argument that ignores centuries of American history. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Defying Police, Iranians Protest Over Plane Shootdown

JOSEPH KRAUSS and JON GAMBRELL / The Associated Press Jan 12, 2020 Videos posted online showed protesters in Tehran shouting anti-government slogans. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Under Pressure, Iran Admits It Shot Down Jetliner by Mistake

NASSER KARIMI and JOSEPH KRAUSS / The Associated Press Jan 11, 2020 The admission raises the question about why it didn't shut down airspace amid fears of "all-out conflict" with U.S. over missile strikes. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Trump Ups Iran Accusations: Four U.S. Embassies Targeted

BEN FOX / The Associated Press Jan 10, 2020 Just hours earlier, the Secretary of State had said the U.S. didn’t know when or where attacks might occur. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )