Mayoral elections do not go Erdoğan’s way, his first experience of the tendency of the democratic pendulum to swing. A test for Turkish democracy.
Articles tagged: ‘Qatar’
Iraq’s delicate balance
Posted onThe IS threat justifies US military presence in Iraq – just. Sectarian violence down.
First EU/Arab league summit
Posted onEU/Arab summit large and unwieldy, at best a useful opportunity for top level networking. #url#
Sudan protests – catch and release
Posted onSudan – mainly non-violent protests continue almost daily. Government hot and cold. Major peace agreement for CAR initialled in Khartoum.
Lebanon’s Discontent
Posted onLebanon – still no government. Protests grow at failure of the political class. Competing Qatari and Saudi offers of financial support do not solve the problem.
Qatar: plain sailing
Posted onNo resolution of the Qatar vs. four dispute – propaganda continues. Qatar surviving well. US talks up the need for unity. Active foreign policy continues.
Sudan – sustained protests
Posted onSudan – three weeks of protests more widespread and numerous than previously. Teargas and live ammunition cause some casualties but protests continue.
GCC – still standing
Posted onGCC summit in Riyadh solves no problems but keeps the show on the road. MBS turns up at last.
Khashoggi: Trump speaks
Posted onTrump declares the US a steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia. Increased resistance from Congress. Wider still and wider.
Mawlid
Posted onMawlid popular holiday, widely celebrated by both Sunnis and Shia but condemned by some including Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The Prophet’s Birthday (al-Mawlid al-Nabawi, or simply Mawlid) is celebrated in the month of Rabi’ al-awwal, by Sunnis usually on the 12th and by Shia on the 17th. There is some flexibility as the precise date is not recorded. This year 12 Rabi’ al-awwal coincides with 21 November, and in most Arab and Muslim states Mawlid will be today or tomorrow, though the celebrations begin the night before. In some countries …