Section: Non-Middle East media focused on Middle East
Ukrainian army reports gains in eastern Ukraine
Servicemen of Ukrainian volunteers battalion ‘Azov’ train at a base in Mariupol, Ukraine, on February 9, 2015. (EPA/Ivan Boberskyy) Donetsk, AP—Government forces on Tuesday reported a counter-offensive in rebel-held eastern Ukraine, while the rebels said they were successful in surrounding Ukrainian troops at a strategic railway junction....
Merkel, Obama try to bridge differences on arms to Ukraine
US President Barack Obama (R) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) pose for a photo op before their meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 9, 2015. (EPA/JIM LO SCALZO)Washington, AP—President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are trying for a public display of unity despite a potential split...
Leaders aim to hold Ukraine summit in Minsk this week
A pro-Russian rebel looks at the door of a house, with “There are people” written on it, in the eastern Ukrainian town of Vuglegirsk in the Donetsk region, on on February 7, 2015 (AFP PHOTO/ ANDREY BORODULIN)Munich, AP—The leaders of Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine aim to hold a summit in Minsk this week as they try to stem fighting in...
Assad is a delusional madman: Khalid Khoja
Khaled Khoja, new leader of the opposition Syrian National Coalition, speaks during a press conference in Istanbul, Turkey, 05 January 2015. (EPA) Istanbul, Asharq Al-Awsat—The president of the Syrian National Coalition Khalid Khoja said that opposition forces are not fighting Bashar Al-Assad and his regime, but its main backer Tehran, dismissing...
Merkel uncertain whether Ukraine talks will succeed
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (C) listen to French President Francois Hollande during a meeting to find a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, in Moscow, on February 6, 2015. (Reuters/Maxim Zmeyev) Munich, AP—German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Saturday it is uncertain whether a flurry of diplomacy...
German, French leaders take Ukraine peace plan to Moscow
Buildings and armored vehicles were destroyed during battles between separatist rebels and the Ukrainian army in Vuhlehirsk, Donetsk region, on February 4, 2015. (Reuters/Maxim Shemetov) Berlin, AP—French President Francois Hollande says all parties pushing for a new peace plan for eastern Ukraine see a ceasefire as the first step but must go...
Opinion: Iran must confront its past to move forwards
Over the past week the Iranian authorities have marked the 36th anniversary of the Khomeinist revolution by deploying the heaviest propaganda artillery at their disposal. The official narrative is that Iran, under its “Supreme Guide,” has the most perfect political and economic system known to mankind since the advent of Islam fifteen centuries...
German, French leaders take new Ukraine peace plan to Kiev, Moscow
A Ukrainian tank is transported to the front line near the eastern Ukrainian town of Debaltseve, on February 5, 2015. (REUTERS/Gleb Garanich)Paris and Kiev, Reuters—The leaders of Germany and France announced a new peace plan for Ukraine on Thursday, planning to fly together to Kiev and Moscow with a proposal to resolve the conflict that could be...
NATO meets to approve strengthening forces in eastern Europe
NATO defense ministers met at the organization’s headquarters in Brussels on February 5, 2015. (Reuters/Francois Lenoir) Brussels, Reuters—NATO defense ministers met on Thursday to sign off on a network of command centers in eastern Europe to rapidly reinforce the region in the event of any threat from Russia, as well as a new regional...
Taiwan plane cartwheels into river after take-off, killing at least 16
Rescue personnel remove an injured passenger from a TransAsia ATR 72-600 turboprop plane that crash-landed into a river outside Taiwan’s capital Taipei in New Taipei City on February 4, 2015. (AFP Photo/Sam Yeh) Taipei, Reuters—A TransAsia Airways plane with 58 passengers and crew on board cartwheeled into a river shortly after taking off...
