Afghanistan Archives - Arab Digest

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.

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.

GITMO still in business

17 August 2016Oliver MilesArab Digest EmailAfghanistan, UAE, USA, Yemen

Release to the UAE of 15 Guantánamo prisoners leaves 61. Party politics mean GITMO likely to remain open at the end of Obama’s term with some 40, a gift to anti-US propaganda. A stain on the USA.

Syria: IS surrounded at Manbij

16 June 2016Hugh MilesArab Digest EmailAfghanistan, Iraq, IS, Kurds, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, Turkey

Yesterday’s post noted progress made against IS in Fallujah, and referred to urgent UN appeals for humanitarian assistance to Iraqis. In northern Syria, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has made a similar call, requesting international aid for those fleeing the fighting with IS in Manbij.