Middle East Aggregator

Farewell, and We'll see you soon!

2008-06-11T14:52:00.001-04:00

As many of you may have noticed, the Aggregator has been slow to update over the past few days. This is because I am in the process of moving, and Stephen is touring Israel/Palestine on an academic...

Olmert 'wants Lebanon talks'

2008-06-10T13:42:00.001-04:00

The Israeli prime minister has suggested that peace talks should be opened with Lebanon, following the resumption of negotiations with its neighbour Syria. "Just as we started talks with Syria, I...

Gaddafi rejects Mediterranean bloc

2008-06-10T13:41:00.001-04:00

Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader, has opposed the proposal of a so-called Mediterranean Union. Gaddafi said at a mini-summit of North African and Syrian leaders on Tuesday that it would harm...

Hamas members killed in Gaza raid

2008-06-10T13:39:00.001-04:00

Three members of Hamas's armed wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, have been killed in an Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip, Palestinian officials say. Health officials said at least four other...

BBC uncovers lost Iraq billions

2008-06-10T13:38:00.001-04:00

A BBC investigation estimates that around $23bn (£11.75bn) may have been lost, stolen or just not properly accounted for in Iraq. For the first time, the extent to which some private contractors...

European Leaders Support Bush on Iran Sanctions

2008-06-10T13:36:00.001-04:00

Opening a farewell tour of Europe, President Bush won European support on Tuesday to consider additional punitive sanctions against Iran, including restrictions on its banks, if Iran rejects a...

Al-Maliki's Balancing Act Leaves Iran Cool

2008-06-10T13:35:00.001-04:00

As Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki sought to alleviate neighbouring Iran's increasing concerns about a security deal between his country and the United States, he strove to keep a delicate...

US: Iraq security pact can be finalized in July

2008-06-10T13:34:00.001-04:00

The U.S. State Department's top Iraq adviser said Tuesday he believes an agreement to establish a long-term security relationship between Iraq and the United States will be completed by the end of...

Conference seeks cash and progress for Afghanistan

2008-06-10T13:33:00.001-04:00

Donor states, military powers and regional players will be seeking a more effective strategy for Afghanistan's development and security as well as pledging funds at a conference in Paris on Thursday....

Turkish PM: court must explain headscarf ruling

2008-06-10T13:32:00.001-04:00

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday the Constitutional Court must explain its decision to overturn a government-led reform allowing students to wear Muslim headscarves at...

Will it be 'Obama's war'?

2008-06-10T13:31:00.001-04:00

Senator Barack Obama has repeatedly assured the public that, if elected to the presidency, he will withdraw US troops from Iraq, and in a manner more cautious than the way in which the US went in....

Most Israeli ministers support Gaza military operation

2008-06-10T13:30:00.003-04:00

A majority of Israeli ministers on Tuesday voiced their support for launching a military operation in the Gaza Strip, while some others expressed their readiness to accept a serious truce with...

Guantanamo inmates suffering mental damage: report

2008-06-10T13:30:00.001-04:00

Over two-thirds of the detainees in the Guantanamo Bay prison are suffering from or at risk of mental problems because they are kept isolated in small cells with little light or fresh air, according...

Qaeda groups active in Gaza after year under Hamas

2008-06-10T13:29:00.001-04:00

A year after Hamas Islamists seized control of the Gaza Strip, Abu Hafss is waiting impatiently to see a sword remove the hand of a thief or a woman stoned to death for adultery. "Hamas does not...

Survey of Israelis�?? Attitudes Toward Politics Finds Disgust and a Growing Apathy

2008-06-10T13:27:00.003-04:00

A third of Israelis expressed feelings of nausea, revulsion, depression or despair when asked what they felt or thought about the word �??politics,�?? according to a new survey. Another third said...

Applying Iraq�??s Lessons in an Afghan Village

2008-06-10T13:27:00.001-04:00

United States marines pushed the Taliban out of this village and the surrounding district in southern Helmand Province so quickly in recent weeks that they called the operation a �??catastrophic...

U.S. Official Cites 'Hardening' of Iraqi Detainees

2008-06-10T13:25:00.001-04:00

U.S. combat commanders are currently sending about 30 prisoners a day to the main U.S.-run detention centers in Iraq, with more of the detainees likely to be held for longer periods as security risks...

POLITICS-US: Pledging Allegiance to AIPAC

2008-06-10T13:20:00.001-04:00

With the Iranian nuclear "threat" in the crosshairs, discussion of Palestinians or a Syrian-Israeli detente was virtually non-existent. But then again, one should not expect many overtures for peace...

Iraqi artifacts return to Baghdad

2008-06-10T13:18:00.001-04:00

The Iraqi antiquities department has taken delivery of 11 ancient ceremonial seals that were looted after the US-led invasion of the country in 2003. Originally from the national museum, the...

Iraq troops decision 'this year'

2008-06-10T13:04:00.001-04:00

The final withdrawal of British troops from Iraq could be announced by the end of the year, the BBC has learned. Discussions have begun about pulling forces out if the security situation continues...

Family of captured Israeli soldier receives letter

2008-06-10T12:59:00.001-04:00

The family of Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier abducted by militants in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, received a hand-written letter from him, Israeli officials said on Monday. Shalit, then 19,...

Pentagon blocked Cheney's attack on Iran

2008-06-10T12:54:00.001-04:00

Pentagon officials firmly opposed a proposal by Vice President Dick Cheney last summer for airstrikes against the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) bases by insisting that the administration...

Syrian anthem played for Lebanese

2008-06-09T12:33:00.001-04:00

Saudi Arabian football authorities are investigating an error that led to the Syrian national anthem being played before a match against Lebanon. Several Lebanese players were visibly angry when the...

Death sentence for Yemen 'rebel'

2008-06-09T12:32:00.001-04:00

A court in Yemen has sentenced one man to death and jailed 13 others for forming an armed group. Defendants were convicted of having links with Shia rebels, who have been involved in fighting with...

Deaths in Algeria bus station blast

2008-06-09T12:30:00.001-04:00

A bomb has exploded at a bus station in a town east of the capital Algiers, killing 20 people, Reuters news agency, quoting a security source, says. The bomb went off on Monday in Bouira, some 120km...