Middle East

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 )

U.S. Dismisses Iraq Request to Work on a Troop Withdrawal Plan

SAMYA KULLAB and QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA / The Associated Press Jan 10, 2020 Meanwhile, thousands of Iraqi anti-government protesters call on both Iran and America to leave the country. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

U.S. Blames Iran for Ukrainian Jetliner Downing, Pledges Probe

NASSER KARIMI, JOSEPH KRAUSS and ZEKE MILLER / The Associated Press Jan 10, 2020 Canadian, Australian and British leaders announce similar intelligence conclusions about the deaths of all 176 people on board. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Iran Should Be Applauded for Its Restraint

Maj. Danny Sjursen / Truthdig Jan 9, 2020 There's no justification for Qassem Soleimani's assassination, and if we avoid another war in the Middle East, we'll have Tehran to thank. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Trump Says Iran Appears to Be ‘Standing Down’ After Airstrike

ZEKE MILLER and DEB RIECHMANN / The Associated Press Jan 8, 2020 The president indicates he won't respond militarily after missile strike on Iraqi bases in which no one was harmed, tells of new sanctions. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Trump’s Apologists on the Left Never Had an Excuse

Andrew O'Hehir / Salon Jan 7, 2020 As a candidate in 2016, he praised war crimes and expressed a desire to commit some of his own. No one can claim surprise or betrayal now. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )