Middle East

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 )

16 Killed in Iraq Prison Revolt

Staff / Truthdig May 8, 2011 A rebellion that caused the deaths of six guards and 10 inmates at a prison in Baghdad was sparked when a detainee accused of leading a deadly attack against a Christian church seized an officer's pistol early Sunday morning. (more) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Violence Threatens Egypt’s Post-Revolution Efforts

Staff / Truthdig May 8, 2011 Egypt's transitional government has called an emergency meeting after violence believed to be sectarian broke out in a neighborhood near Cairo and left 10 people dead, hundreds injured and a church destroyed by fire. (more) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

EU to Place Sanctions on Syria

Staff / Truthdig May 7, 2011 The European Union agreed to impose sanctions on Syria next week in response to the Assad regime's latest violent crackdowns, which have killed as many as 16 protesters. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Libyan Rebels to Receive Financial Aid

Staff / Truthdig May 6, 2011 Members of the international community say Libyan rebels in Benghazi will receive some portion of the $2 billion to $3 billion they have requested to pay for the labor, food, medicine and other supplies needed to maintain a resistance to Col. Gadhafi's forces over the coming months. (more) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )