Afghanistan Archives - Arab Digest

Putin powers ahead in the Middle East

4 June 2021Hugh MilesPodcastsAfghanistan, Chechnya, Gaza, Israel, Jordan, Libya, Palestine, Russia, Syria, Turkey, UAE, Yemen

Arab Digest · Putin powers ahead in the Middle East

The Middle East’s Heroin Tracks

5 May 2021William LawArab Digest EmailAfghanistan, Hezbollah, Iran, Iraq, IS, Jordan, Kurds, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE

Heroin mostly enters the Arab world from Afghanistan via Iran enroute to markets in Europe. Arab countries close to the main smuggling routes are the most impacted by the trade. The Syrian war has led traffickers to re-route heroin shipments via the Black Sea and Africa.

Pivoting Away

4 May 20211 June 2021William LawArab Digest EmailAfghanistan, China, Iran, Iraq, Israel, JCPOA, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE, USA, Yemen

With the US pivoting to Asia, the actions of regional players may be the key to helping to stabilise the Middle East.

Et tu, Bahrain?

14 September 2020William LawArab Digest EmailAfghanistan, Bahrain, Israel, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Sudan, UAE, USA

Bahrain’s decision to follow the UAE in normalising relations with Israel may be another “stab in the back” for the Palestinians; but it is also a timely reelection boost for Donald Trump.

Qatar banks on soft diplomacy

10 September 2020William LawArab Digest EmailAfghanistan, Covid-19, Israel, Qatar, UAE, USA

In hosting Afghan peace talks and supporting Gaza in its battle with Covid-19, Qatar is scoring points with the US and Israel.

The Eid – cricket queers the pitch

3 June 2019Oliver MilesArab Digest EmailAfghanistan, Islam, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Syria, Turkey, UAE, Yemen

Festival marking end of Ramadan probably 5 June. Long holidays, traditional family celebrations, a travel boom. Clash with the cricket World Cup. Multiple wars continue.

ISIS: what now?

3 November 2017Oliver MilesArab Digest EmailAfghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, IS, Kurds, Libya, Saudi Arabia, USA, Yemen

Outlook for the Islamic “state” bleak as a state, but cheap wins globally. Failed or predatory states fertile ground for ISIS and al-Qaeda.

Women’s Rights in the Middle East and North Africa

6 October 20176 October 2017Hugh MilesArab Digest EmailAfghanistan, Algeria, Iran, Israel, Morocco, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Turkey

New e-book chapter examines various phases of women’s quest for rights and equality in the MENA region and compares their situation to their peers elsewhere.

The costs of war

14 October 2016Oliver MilesArab Digest EmailAfghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, USA, Yemen

Unending wars over fifteen years have created anarchy in the Middle East. Escalation. The US role and the costs.

Refugees

23 September 2016Oliver MilesArab Digest EmailAfghanistan, China, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, USA

Two refugee conferences in New York. Pledges fall far short of need. MENA region more than half the world problem. Present global refugee regime not fit for purpose.