Tag: Middle East

An Iraqi Kurdish woman casts her ballot during the referendum on independence from Iraq in Irbil, Iraq, Monday, Sept. 25, 2017. Iraqi Shiite lawmaker Hakim al-Zamili, says parliament has approved several tough measures in response to the Iraqi Kurds' contentious vote on independence from Baghdad. The referendum on independence is non-binding, but it has strained tensions with Baghdad and regional powers. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)

Beltway Confidential

Iranian leaders are quietly panicking over the Kurdish referendum

Michael Rubin · September 25, 2017 3:16 pm

A street vendor sells Kurdish flags and pro-independence items in central Irbil, 217 milesnorth of Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017. Iraq's Kurdish region will vote on Monday's referendum for Kurdish independence, a vote dismissed as illegal and destabilizing by the central government and the international community. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)

Beltway Confidential

Will the Kurdish referendum be followed by Christian and Yezidi referenda?

Michael Rubin · September 24, 2017 9:27 pm

Democracy, freedom of speech, religious freedom, equality, these are all values that are very dear. (AP Photo/Balint Szlanko)

Beltway Confidential

Is Kurdistan about to take its first step toward independence?

JP Carroll · September 22, 2017 4:01 am

National security adviser H.R. McMaster said while the Trump administration is interested in renegotiating parts of the Iran nuclear deal, including the term, expiration, and details about the country's ability to develop some ballistic missiles, it is just as focused on how Iran can help the Middle East by becoming a stable nation. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

H.R. McMaster: Trump focused on Iran’s ‘destabilizing activity,’ not just the nuclear deal

Anna Giaritelli · September 21, 2017 11:50 am

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani addresses the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

Iran President Hassan Rouhani: ‘Rogue newcomers’ in the Trump administration shouldn’t destroy nuclear deal

Anna Giaritelli · September 20, 2017 4:27 pm

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Beltway Confidential

At the UN, Israel sets red lines for Iran

Tom Rogan · September 20, 2017 4:21 pm

President Donald Trump listens during a meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II at the Palace Hotel during the United Nations General Assembly, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump promises to ‘devote everything’ to brokering Mideast peace deal

Gabby Morrongiello · September 20, 2017 3:30 pm

Trump and the emir of Qatar, along with several top U.S. and Qatari officials, gathered for a bilateral meeting at a private hotel outside the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

National Security

Trump vows at UN to solve ‘problem’ of Saudi-led blockade of Qatar

Melissa Quinn · September 19, 2017 9:15 pm

If Israel truly wants to support the Kurds, then Israeli leaders could counsel Kurds on tough choices taken by the nascent Jewish state decades ago. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu praises Trump’s UN speech as ‘courageous,’ ‘bold,’ ‘forthright’

Melissa Quinn · September 19, 2017 8:04 pm

In this April 17, 2016 file photo, a long-range S-300 missile system is displayed by Iran's army during a parade marking National Army Day, in Tehran, Iran. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File)

Why Iran’s nuclear program is a greater threat than North Korea’s

Shahriar Kia · September 19, 2017 4:01 am

Negotiations about a potential Middle East peace deal are still in the "very early stages," Brian Hook, director of policy planning at the State Department, told reporters. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

National Security

Trump administration aims to ‘avoid bumper stickers and slogans’ on Israel-Palestine peace deal

Sarah Bedford · September 18, 2017 10:23 pm

Hamas said it will accept new elections and a restored Palestinian unity government.

Beltway Confidential

The real reason Hamas is calling for elections

Tom Rogan · September 18, 2017 1:37 pm