Middle East

Bin Laden Thought About Re-Branding Al-Qaida

Staff / Truthdig Jun 24, 2011 A letter found in Osama bin Laden's Pakistan compound details his concerns about the name al-Qaida and the organization's ability to galvanize Muslims with a shorthand moniker that just means "the base" (originally it was "the base of holy war"). It is unknown to whom bin Laden's public relations missive was directed. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

At Least 23 Killed in Trio of Explosions in Baghdad

Staff / Truthdig Jun 24, 2011 On Thursday, 23 people were reported killed and at least 82 wounded in a series of three bombs that detonated in a crowded market in south Baghdad, according to the BBC. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Assad Arranges Rallies in Praise of Regime

Staff / Truthdig Jun 21, 2011 Tens of thousands of Syrians took to the streets in support of President Bashar al-Assad in demonstrations across the country Tuesday, many at the behest of the government and their employers. (more) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Tunisian Court Finds Former President Guilty of Financial Crimes

Staff / Truthdig Jun 21, 2011 He wasn't present to hear the verdict in person, but Monday a local court found Tunisia's deposed president, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, guilty of embezzlement and making personal use of public funds, according to The New York Times. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Meet the New Face of Al-Qaida

Staff / Truthdig Jun 16, 2011 Ayman al-Zawahri is the new leader of al-Qaida, according to a statement attributed to the group's leadership. Zawahri, the "obvious choice," says the BBC, was a top lieutenant of Osama bin Laden. The 60-year-old native of Egypt is believed to be hiding out somewhere in the notorious Af-Pak hinterlands. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Joblessness Hangs at 45% in Blockaded Gaza

Staff / Truthdig Jun 14, 2011 In findings that can hardly be expected to generate Palestinian good will for Israel, a five-year Israeli blockade on Gazan exports has contributed heavily to the joblessness of nearly half the population and a sharp decline in real wages, according to a U.N. report. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Iraq: The Case of the Missing $6.6 Billion

Staff / Truthdig Jun 13, 2011 Benjamin Franklin may be one of the most wanted men in Iraq right now, as the country's officials threaten to take the Pentagon to court to recoup some $6.6 billion in cash airlifted from the U.S. in 2004 for the purpose of Iraqi reconstruction. (more) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Palestinian Unity Hits a Bump in the Road

Staff / Truthdig Jun 13, 2011 Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas recently decided to get over their differences and work together, but that's easier negotiated than done. Hamas quickly rejected Fatah's nominee for prime minister of an interim government, the pro-Western, U.S.-educated Palestinian politician Salam Fayyad. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Kurds Want to Give Turkey a Taste of Spring

Staff / Truthdig Jun 9, 2011 Turkey is no Libya or Syria in terms of repression, but the country has a few million disgruntled Kurds who would like more autonomy One Kurdish political leader is threatening civil disobedience (more). Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

U.S. Presses Covert Airstrikes in Yemen

Staff / Truthdig Jun 9, 2011 Following Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's emergency departure for medical treatment last week, the U.S. government has taken advantage of the resulting power vacuum to resume covert fighter jet and drone attacks that have killed civilians and suspected terrorists alike. (more) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Yemen’s President Hit Hard by Rocket Attack

Staff / Truthdig Jun 8, 2011 Friday's attack on Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's palace in his country's capital city of Sanaa took a bigger toll than previously reported, as the news emerged Tuesday that it wasn't clear when he'd be able to return to office given the gravity of his injuries. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

You Can’t March if You’re Dead

Staff / Truthdig Jun 6, 2011 For the second time in three weeks, Israeli forces opened fire on pro-Palestinian protesters, killing as many as 20 (that figure comes from Syrian television by way of the BBC, and is disputed by Israel)uk/news/world-middle-east-13660311" title="opened fire">opened fire on pro-Palestinian protesters, killing as many as 20. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )