Middle East

Gadhafi Not About to Leave Libya

Staff / Truthdig May 31, 2011 Russian President Dmitry Medvedev recently joined the chorus of outsiders urging Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to give up, but that suggestion isn't hitting home with Gadhafi, according to yet another head of state, Jacob Zuma. The South African president returned from a visit to Tripoli with the news that Gadhafi isn't planning to go anywhere anytime soon. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

U.K. Cheers On Arab Spring While Training Its Opponents

Staff / Truthdig May 29, 2011 Just days after the British government pledged $181 million in grants and loans to foster economically viable democratic transitions in Egypt and Tunisia, a Freedom of Information Act report confirmed that British military personnel are training the same Saudi security forces that were used to crush recent popular uprisings in Bahrain (more) . Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Russia Changes Stance on Libya

Staff / Truthdig May 28, 2011 An unexpected voice is joining the international chorus urging Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to leave On Friday, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced that he would use his country's solid rapport with Libya to encourage Gadhafi to finally . Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Abandon Ship and/or Yemen

Staff / Truthdig May 26, 2011 The United States is evacuating "certain non-emergency personnel" from Yemen and encouraging other Americans to leave the country while they still can The State Department cites "terrorist activities and civil unrest" in its most recent travel warning Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh refuses (more). Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Syria Turns Facebook on Protesters

Staff / Truthdig May 23, 2011 Syrian authorities are busy proving Julian Assange right as they use what he called "the most appalling spying machine that has ever been invented" to keep tabs on their country's digital dissidents. (more) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Syrian Revolt: 900 Dead and Counting

Staff / Truthdig May 22, 2011 The number of people killed in the current Syrian uprising soared above 900 on Saturday when security officers fired on a crowd marching in memory of others lost to state violence during the two-month struggle. (more) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Going After the Mini-Mubaraks

Staff / Truthdig May 22, 2011 Journalist, blogger and activist Hossam el-Hamalawy passionately urges his fellow Egyptians to make their social and political revolution into an economic one. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Obama’s Big Middle East Speech Will Avoid a Big Issue

Staff / Truthdig May 18, 2011 While the White House is promising that President Barack Obama's big Middle East speech on Thursday will make news, Obama will avoid the biggest story this week: the inflamed Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which claimed a few more lives Sunday. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Israel Opens Fire on Protesters (Video)

Staff / Truthdig May 15, 2011 As many as 13 are dead and scores more injured after Israeli forces shot at protesters Sunday Crowds gathered near the borders of Gaza, Lebanon and Syria to condemn the founding of Israel Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said of the dead, "Their blood will not go to waste" (more)As many as <a href="http://www. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Blackwater Founder Builds Secret Army for UAE

Staff / Truthdig May 15, 2011 Erik Prince, founder of Blackwater (now Xe Services), the world’s most notorious private military contractor, is discreetly training an 800-man army capable of defending infrastructure, suppressing rebellions and battling regional state enemies for the UAE. (more) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Palestinians Offer First-Ever Corporate Bonds

Staff / Truthdig May 13, 2011 Following a possible 10-day freeze on revenue collected on Palestinian goods that pass through Israel’s ports and airports, a Palestinian investment firm has issued the territory’s first-ever corporate bonds, which Palestinian leaders and businesses hope will strengthen the local economy. Above, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Ahmadinejad May Be a Quitter

Staff / Truthdig May 9, 2011 Mahmoud Ahmadinejad considers resigning his post as president of Iran; Google Maps will let users inside buildings; and Bill Gates dips his mouse into American education. These discoveries and more after the jump. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )