Middle East news stories on Newser

Mitt and 'Bibi': Closer Than You Might Think

Neal Colgrass — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 16:05:17 CDT

Mitt Romney has a close ally in the Middle East—so close that the GOP contender defers to him on issues, chats with him in near-shorthand, and once offered him his Rolodex, the New York Times reports. Romney's friendship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dates back to the 1970s,...

Why Afghanistan Is a 'Fool's Errand'

Mark Russell — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 10:28:50 CDT

It's no surprise that US policies are failing in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, and around the region—they're completely missing what makes countries succeed, writes Thomas Friedman in the New York Times . The key, according to a new book, Why Nations Fail , is developing "inclusive" economic and political institutions. Inclusive systems...

Ahmadinejad: We Don't Give a Damn About West's Bombs

Neal Colgrass — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 13:34:46 CDT

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad lashed out at the West today in a televised speech, saying "the Iranian nation will not give a damn for [your] bombs, warships, and planes." Taking an apparent shot at President Obama, he added, "They say all [options] are on the table. Well, let them rot...

US, Israel Real Threats to Middle East Peace

Neal Colgrass — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 16:30:11 CST

President Obama isn't the only one worried about the drumbeat toward war with Iran. So is MIT professor Noam Chomsky, who argues that Iran's pursuit of nuclear power—and perhaps weapons—is a defensive posture against the region's two main aggressors, the US and Israel. "Concerns about 'the imminent threat'...

Madonna Fans in Israel: Don't Bomb Iran Before Show

Dustin Lushing — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:56:59 CST

Madonna is coming to Israel, and her hardcore fans there are begging the government to please hold off on a potential war with Iran, just at least until after Madonna's concert. The Israeli Madonna nuts are spreading the word through a Facebook group called "Bibi don't star a war with...

Obama: Israel Not Sure About Bombing Iran

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:36:34 CST

President Barack Obama said today he does not think Israel has decided whether to attack Iran over its disputed nuclear program, a standoff that has the Middle East on edge. The president sought to assure allies and foes alike that the United States was working in lockstep with Israel to...

Tourism Spikes Worldwide

Neal Colgrass — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:59:12 CST

The economic crisis, Japanese disasters, and the Arab Spring couldn't stop tourists from globetrotting last year, AFP reports. European tourism surged the most—6% higher than in 2010—helping to fuel an international rise of 4.4% that clocked 980 million travelers, according to a UN report. But tourists did...

Iran Arrests 'US Spies,' Short on Details

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 14:00:49 CST

Iran's intelligence minister says the country's secret services have arrested several people on charges of spying for the United States and seeking to undermine the March 2 parliamentary elections. Heidar Moslehi was quoted by state TV as saying that the suspects were in touch with their contacts outside the country...

Arab Body Calls for Pullout of Monitors in Syria

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 16:18:20 CST

A pan-Arab body called today for the immediate withdrawal of the Arab League monitors in Syria because President Bashar Assad's regime has kept up killings of government opponents even in the presence of the observers. The 88-member Arab Parliament said that Arabs are angered by the Syrian regime's ongoing killings...