In a change of tone, Syria’s new leader urges US to pressure Israel for withdrawal
Julani’s appeal comes as Syria signals a shift in its diplomatic tone. Maher Marwan, Damascus’ new governor, told NPR that...Geostrategy
UN: Israel’s strikes on Gaza hospitals may constitute war crimes, urges independent probe
The UN's 23-page report, "Attacks on Hospitals During the Escalation of Hostilities in Gaza," documented 136 strikes on 27 hospitals...Geostrategy
Algeria eyeing entry into Russia-linked BRICS group
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has suggested that his country, Africa's largest natural gas exporter, could join the BRICS economic group...Tebboune's comment of joining BRICS came after Russian President called on BRICS leaders to move towards "formation of a multipolar system of inter-government relations"
The President participated in a BRICS virtual summit at the end of June, when Putin called on leaders of the group to cooperate in the face of "selfish actions" from the West
August signing of Chad peace plan expected in Qatar: sources
Qatar seeks to hold a ministerial summit in early August to seal an accord between Chad's military government and opposition...The Gulf state's mediators will meet with rebel negotiators this week in a bid to sway holdout groups
Diplomats monitoring the talks say there has been progress and a majority of groups have agreed to sign an accord
US envoy pushes Lebanon-Israel talks over maritime dispute
US envoy Amos Hochstein arrived in Beirut Sunday to push talks to resolve a bitter maritime border dispute between Lebanon...Hochstein met with Lebanon's Energy Minister Walid Fayad on Sunday, and is scheduled to meet with President Michel Aoun and prime minister Najib Mikati the following day
The maritime border dispute between Lebanon and Israel escalated in early June, after Israel moved a production vessel to the Karish offshore field, partly claimed by Lebanon
Yair Lapid urges UN to disband rights panel investigating Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Sunday upped pressure on the United Nations to disband a commission investigating Israel, appealing...The Commission of Inquiry (COI) investigating abuses in Israel and the Palestinian territories was created by the UN Human Rights Council last year
Commission chief defended Kothari's comment and said it reflected the "commission's disappointment with the continued lack of cooperation" from Israel with its investigation
Moqtada Sadr urges more protests as supporters occupy parliament
Powerful Iraqi Shiite preacher Moqtada Sadr Sunday urged other factions to support a protest that has seen his followers occupy...Nearly 10 months after elections, the oil-rich country is still without a new government due to the repeated failure of negotiations and the resignation last month of Sadr's bloc
Sadr's bloc emerged from elections in October as the biggest parliamentary faction, but still far short of a majority
“US lives in solipsistic fantasies”
Diminished leverage in the Gulf region makes Washington a less compelling partner than it once was, says Chas W Freeman,...Diminished leverage in the Gulf region makes Washington a less compelling partner than it once was, says Chas W Freeman, Former US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
West Asia is a region in which abundant policy failures offer a veritable cornucopia of insights into warfare and diplomacy, the former diplomat highlights
Israel deducts Palestinian tax money over militant support
The sum withheld, around $176m, would balance the amount the Palestinian Authority paid to the families of militants as financial...Israel collects around $190m a month in customs duties levied on goods destined for Palestinian markets that transit through Israeli ports. It transfers the funds to the PA.
When Israel began implementing the law in 2019, the Palestinians in protest refused to receive all funds for eight months.
Grain silos damaged in 2020 Beirut port blast partially collapse
Parts of Beirut's grain silos collapsed on Sunday, just days before the second anniversary of a catastrophic explosion at the...The silos damaged days before the second anniversary of a catastrophic explosion at the Lebanese capital's port that ravaged the stores and parts of the city.
The structure had absorbed much of the impact of the blast on August 4, 2020 at Beirut's port that killed more than 200 people and injured more than 6,500.
First grain cargo ship could leave Ukraine port Monday, says Turkey
A spokesman for the Turkish presidency said there was a "high probability" that a first ship carrying Ukrainian grain could...The resumption of exports was discussed in talks between the Turkish and Ukrainian defense ministers
A Joint Coordination Centre is charged with controlling Ukrainian grain exports via the Black Sea
Saudi Arabia, Poland sign agreement on air transport
Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Poland to organize the operational framework...From the Saudi side, Ali Rajab, Executive Vice President at GACA -Economic Policies & International Cooperation signed the MoU
From the Polish side, Piotr Samson, President of the Polish Civil Aviation Authority inked the pact in Warsaw
