Middle East
UK documentary exposes Saudi role in global terror operations
By Jean Shaoul, 5 April 2016
The Saudi ruling family spent $70 billion exporting its particularly repressive form of Islamism through books, the media, Islamic welfare institutions and charities.
Military chiefs seize on Brussels attacks to send more US troops to Iraq
By Thomas Gaist, 29 March 2016
More than four years after the official end of the US occupation of Iraq, and with a current presence of some 5,000 troops, military leaders are calling for additional military assets.
Historic city of Palmyra falls to Syrian government forces
By Thomas Gaist, 28 March 2016
The renewed push by the Syrian military, aided by Russian air cover, followed last week’s visit of US Secretary of State John Kerry to Moscow.
Hundreds of US Marines provide combat support as Iraqi forces advance toward Mosul
By Thomas Gaist, 25 March 2016
Two weeks after secretly deploying to northern Iraq, US Marines are pounding Iraqi villages in support of an Iraqi government offensive overseen by US advisors.
Arson attack on witness to murders in Palestinian village of Duma
By Jean Shaoul, 23 March 2016
The fire was clearly aimed at intimidating the witnesses in the forthcoming trial.
The terror bombings in Brussels
By Alex Lantier, 23 March 2016
This horrific attack targeted innocent people in no way responsible for the imperialist wars that have devastated the Middle East.
Teachers take strike action against Palestinian Authority
By Jean Shaoul, 12 March 2016
The strike by thousands of teachers over miserable pay, one of the largest mass strikes ever seen in the West Bank, has been met with repression from the Palestinian Authority.
Washington steps up threats over Iran missile tests
By Bill Van Auken, 11 March 2016
While the tests by Iran do not violate the nuclear accord, Washington sees them as an intolerable affront to its drive for hegemony.
US generals push for more troops in Iraq, Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 10 March 2016
In congressional testimony, a top commander made clear that the US intervention is aimed not merely at ISIS, but at Iran and Russia as well.
Syria fighting continues into third day of US-Russian “truce”
By Thomas Gaist, 29 February 2016
US war planes continue to strike targets throughout large areas of the country, while American commandos organized offensive operations by an array of proxy forces.
More than 100 killed in ISIS suicide bombings in Syria
By Niles Williamson, 22 February 2016
The devastating attacks in Homs and Damascus came just hours after US Secretary of State John Kerry announced a tentative ceasefire, for the second time in two weeks.
Saudi Arabia cancels $3 billion grant for French military aid to Lebanon
By Kumaran Ira, 22 February 2016
Saudi Arabia’s decision to halt military aid to Lebanon points to escalating tensions across the Middle East unleashed by the war drive in Syria.
Egypt: Italian student tortured to death
By Johannes Stern, 17 February 2016
Evidence is mounting that the Egyptian military used bestial methods to torture student and journalist Giulio Regeni to death.
Syria fighting escalates as ceasefire deadline approaches
By Bill Van Auken, 16 February 2016
The intensifying clashes on the Syrian-Turkish border have placed the five-year-old conflict in Syria on a hair trigger for provoking a global confrontation.
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
12 February 2016
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New York Times vents recriminations over Syria debacle
By Bill Van Auken, 9 February 2016
Roger Cohen’s hysterical column expresses rage within sections of the military and intelligence apparatus over the fate of the US regime-change operation.
Geneva talks begin as US-backed war in Syria expands
By Bill Van Auken, 2 February 2016
The opening of the talks was overshadowed by a vicious bombing attack on a Shia shrine outside the Syrian capital of Damascus.
Netherlands to begin bombing Islamic State in Syria
By Josh Varlin, 2 February 2016
Prime Minister Rutte’s announcement of the decision to begin bombing ISIS in Syria marks a dramatic escalation of the Netherlands’ involvement in the US-led campaign.
Europe joins the economic “gold rush” to Tehran
By Peter Symonds, 30 January 2016
Iranian President Rouhani’s trip to Europe signals that Iran is wide open for foreign investors following this month’s lifting of international sanctions.
On eve of Syria “peace talks,” Washington threatens escalation across region
By Bill Van Auken, 25 January 2016
Top US officials have declared that they are prepared to seek a “military solution” in Syria, put “boots on the ground” in Iraq and launch another US-NATO war in Libya.
Turkish invasion threat escalates Syrian conflict
By Bill Van Auken, 22 January 2016
The reports of Turkish incursions into northern Syria come amid heightened tensions between Ankara and Moscow.
“Staggering” violence in Iraq: The legacy of US war and occupation
By Bill Van Auken, 21 January 2016
From January 1, 2014 through October 31, 2015, the UN recorded at least 55,047 civilian casualties, while warning that the real toll could be much higher.
Iran releases US sailors in run-up to nuclear sanction relief
By Bill Van Auken, 14 January 2016
The incident served to highlight the deep divisions within the US political establishment over the nuclear deal.
US Navy vessels impounded in Iranian waters
By Keith Jones, 13 January 2016
US Republicans seized on yesterday’s incident to repeat their charge that Obama is “appeasing” Tehran and demand a renewed campaign of economic sanctions and military threats against Iran.
Turkey and Western powers escalate war rhetoric in response to Istanbul attack
By Thomas Gaist, 13 January 2016
Tuesday’s suicide attack in the heart of Istanbul has provoked an outburst of war threats and moralizing from the Turkish and NATO elites.
Israel’s shoot-to-kill policy against Palestinians
By Jean Shaoul, 12 January 2016
Around 46 Palestinians have been killed during demonstrations and clashes with the security forces by a single shot to the head or chest.
US-armed Saudi coalition cancels ceasefire, renews military onslaught in Yemen
By Thomas Gaist, 6 January 2016
The US government has helped coordinate the Saudi-led war against Yemen, which has already killed thousands of civilians and reduced large sections of the population to starvation.
US threatens new sanctions on Iran
By Peter Symonds, 4 January 2016
Washington’s threat is particularly provocative as it came just days after Tehran fulfilled a key aspect of last July’s nuclear deal—to ship its enriched uranium to Russia.
US-backed Iraqi forces recapture Ramadi from ISIS
By James Cogan, 29 December 2015
Amidst boasting by Iraqi Prime Minister of the “liberation” of Ramadi, even the sanitised media footage shows scenes of utter devastation.
US air strike kills 12 Iraqi civilians
By Bill Van Auken, 23 December 2015
The latest death toll from the US bombing campaign came as Iraqi troops and militias entered the ISIS-held city of Ramadi.
Canadian Special Forces battle ISIS militants as calls grow for expanded war
By Roger Jordan, 21 December 2015
Canada’s media is becoming increasingly shrill in its demand that Trudeau renege on his election pledge to recall Canada’s fighter jets from the Iraq-Syria war.
UN resolution papers over deep divisions on Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 19 December 2015
The resolution adopted Friday left open the future of Assad and the distinction between opposition and terrorist groups.
Obama vows expanded war in Syria
By Joseph Kishore, 15 December 2015
In remarks at the Pentagon, President Obama sought to counter his critics within the political establishment by vowing to escalate US military operations in Syria.
Syria claims US airstrikes targeted government forces
By Thomas Gaist, 8 December 2015
Reports of the first direct US strikes against Syrian government forces come as hundreds of Turkish forces massed in Iraq in defiance of Baghdad’s call for their withdrawal.
The new imperialist carve-up of the Middle East
By Joseph Kishore, 7 December 2015
The reasons presented to the public for the rapid escalation of war in Syria have little to do with the strategic discussions taking place in top ranks of the military and the intelligence agencies.
Israel: Netanyahu capitalises on Paris bombings
By Jean Shaoul, 19 November 2015
Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu is using the terrorist attacks in Paris to ramp up tensions in pursuit of Israel’s geostrategic interests.
Turkey after the elections
By Peter Schwarz, 7 November 2015
Erdoğan’s AKP government is a regime of crisis. The wars carried out by the US and its imperialist allies have shattered the social and political structures of the entire region.
Israel: Racist mob lynches migrant as violence intensifies
By Jean Shaoul, 21 October 2015
Ultra-nationalist Jewish politicians have encouraged the mobilisation of vigilante groups and fascistic mobs that go on the rampage while the police stand and watch.
Obama backs Israeli crackdown in Jerusalem
By Patrick Martin, 17 October 2015
Israeli security forces have killed 37 Palestinians since October 1, mostly teenage youth shot down for throwing rocks at Israeli police and soldiers.
Unifor demands NDP keep silent on Canada-Saudi Arabia arms deal
By Carl Bronski, 13 October 2015
The opposition parties’ unwillingness to attack the government over the Saudi arms deal demonstrates their fear of raising any issue which could endanger Canada’s alliance with the US.
Israeli forces step up repression in Jerusalem, West Bank
By Jean Shaoul, 10 October 2015
Nearly 2,000 Palestinians have been wounded in dozens of violent clashes with Israeli troops, police and settlers over the past week.
Obama-Putin meeting highlights crisis of US policy in Syria
By Barry Grey, 30 September 2015
The twists and turns of US policy reflect massive contradictions in Washington’s Middle East agenda and fierce divisions within the foreign policy and military-intelligence establishment.
Poll shows 81 percent of Syrians believe US created ISIS
By Bill Van Auken, 18 September 2015
Half of those surveyed oppose US airstrikes, and only 21 percent believe their lives are better now than before the Western-orchestrated civil war in Syria.
In wake of bloody factory bombing
Saudi Arabia and UAE prepare for major US-backed ground offensive in Yemen
By Niles Williamson, 1 September 2015
Five months of airstrikes, facilitated by US military intelligence and logistical support, have been supplemented by a growing ground invasion by Saudi and UAE military forces.
Mass protests against failing infrastructure shake Lebanon
By Jean Shaoul, 1 September 2015
Protests demanding the treatment of uncollected trash also express opposition to Lebanon’s endemic corruption and its sectarian system of government.
Yemen faces humanitarian crisis as US-backed assault continues
By Niles Williamson, 20 August 2015
Reports released this week document the devastating impact of the Saudi-led onslaught on Yemen, which has killed hundreds of children and limited access to food, water and medicine.
New York Times uses rape allegations to promote a wider war in the Middle East
By Barry Grey, 15 August 2015
Rape was not a serious problem before Washington intervened to occupy Iraq and topple Saddam Hussein, overthrow and murder Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, and ignite a sectarian civil war in Syria.
Turkish government steps up repression of political opponents
By Halil Celik and Jean Shaoul, 12 August 2015
Police have violently broken up peaceful antiwar demonstrations, and the government has blocked more than 90 news websites.
Abadi announces reforms aimed at “decentralization” of Iraq
By Thomas Gaist, 11 August 2015
Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi’s political reforms are based on a strategy worked out in coordination with the Obama administration during the opening months of 2015.
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7 August 2015
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Over 450 civilians killed by US-led air strikes in Iraq and Syria
By Will Morrow, 5 August 2015
The real death toll is undoubtedly far higher, because the US and its allies cover up all evidence of civilian deaths.
Clashes erupt on West Bank after child is murdered by Zionist settlers
By Thomas Gaist, 1 August 2015
Friday’s arson attack bears the hallmarks of previous atrocities committed by religious nationalist forces.
The Iran nuclear pact and US imperialism’s drive for global hegemony
By Keith Jones, 21 July 2015
Obama’s “engagement” with Iran is a strategic bet that through a combination of pressure and inducements US imperialism will be able to harness Tehran to its predatory agenda.
UK defence secretary admits flouting parliamentary ban on military involvement in Syrian war
By Chris Marsden, 21 July 2015
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon used the parliamentary debate to propagandize for war.
UN Security Council approves pact on Iranian nuclear programs
By Peter Symonds, 21 July 2015
Despite the UN vote, the nuclear pact still faces concerted opposition in the US Congress and political establishment.
Iran signals closer collaboration with West
By Peter Symonds, 18 July 2015
While hardliners have expressed some opposition to this week’s nuclear agreement, significant layers of business are already positioning themselves for the lifting of sanctions.
Obama at the Pentagon: No end to ISIS war
By Thomas Gaist, 7 July 2015
Flanked by a phalanx of military officials and commanders, Obama outlined a perspective of endless war in Iraq, Syria and beyond.
Canada’s participation in US military-strategic offensives grows
By Roger Jordan, 7 July 2015
Ottawa is integrating Canada ever more fully into Washington’s main military-strategic offensives against Russia, China and the Middle East.
Egyptian air force bombs Sinai after heavy clashes with ISIS affiliate
By Thomas Gaist, 3 July 2015
The strikes left at least 23 dead, one day after heavy fighting in the peninsula between government troops and Islamist forces killed some 120 people.
Turkey, Jordan discuss moves to seize territory in Syria
By Thomas Gaist, 1 July 2015
Turkish and Jordanian military forces are on the brink of intervening in Syria to establish occupation zones in the northern and southern areas of the country.
Iran nuclear talks to go past June 30 deadline
By Keith Jones, 29 June 2015
The US is threatening to walk away from the talks unless Tehran capitulates to its demands for further sweeping concessions.
UN report details Israeli war crimes in Gaza
By Jean Shaoul, 24 June 2015
The UN commission recognised that the death and destruction carried out by Israel last year followed the atrocities of previous wars on Gaza and Lebanon.
As cease-fire talks in Geneva collapse
Renewed Saudi-led bombardment kills, wounds dozens of Yemeni civilians
By Thomas Gaist, 22 June 2015
Saudi and Gulf forces pounded targets across Yemen over the weekend after negotiations between Saudi and Houthi leaders ended without any deal on Friday.
The US arming of ISIS
By Bill Van Auken, 3 June 2015
Underlying the massive rearmament of ISIS forces with captured US weapons are the contradictory and vastly destructive policies pursued by US imperialism.
Pentagon chief hints at shift in US policy in war with ISIS
By Patrick Martin, 25 May 2015
In an interview with CNN, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said that the ISIS victory at Ramadi showed that Iraqi government forces did not have the “will to fight.”
The fall of Ramadi and the criminality of US imperialism
By Bill Van Auken, 20 May 2015
The threat of both a sectarian bloodbath and region-wide war is the byproduct of Washington’s predatory interventions in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabian monarchy calls for more executioners
By Niles Williamson, 20 May 2015
The US-backed kingdom is in desperate need of swordsmen as it is on pace to more than double the number of beheadings carried out last year.
Yemen war rages on through first day of humanitarian “cease-fire”
By Thomas Gaist, 14 May 2015
From the beginning, the Saudi-led bombing campaign in Yemen has been backed by the United States, which is determined to retain control over the geostrategically critical country.
Soldiers reveal Israeli war crimes in 2014 Gaza assault
By Jean Shaoul, 14 May 2015
A recent report alleges that the Israel Defence Force reduced whole neighbourhoods to rubble for no clear operational reason, just to “demonstrate presence in the area.”
The bin Laden assassination and the lies of the “war on terror”
By Patrick Martin, 13 May 2015
The latest exposure by Seymour Hersh dismantles the official story of the assassination of Osama bin Laden, exposing systematic lying by the US government and the media.
War in the Middle East, imperialism and the lessons of the Egyptian Revolution
By Johannes Stern, 9 May 2015
This speech was delivered by Johannes Stern, leading member of the Partei für Soziale Gleichheit in Germany, to the May 3 International May Day Online Rally.
Link to audio
Netanyahu forms far-right coalition government in Israel
By Jean Shaoul, 8 May 2015
Netanyahu’s maneuvers leaves him in charge of a fractious cabinet and subject to blackmailing by his partners in pursuit of their own interests.
Record number of internally displaced people globally in 2014
By Niles Williamson, 7 May 2015
A record 38 million people were displaced within the borders of their own country by ongoing conflicts through the end of 2014.
US-Al Qaeda offensive against Syrian regime
By Patrick Martin, 29 April 2015
An alliance of anti-Assad rebels, led by the al-Nusra Front, the Syrian branch of Al Qaeda, is armed with US-supplied TOW anti-tank missiles.
Australian government to share intelligence with Iranian regime
By Peter Symonds, 24 April 2015
The foreign minister’s mission in Tehran was to feel out the possibilities for Washington for greater collaboration with Iran in securing US interests in the Middle East.
White House and Congress reach deal over Iran nuclear talks
By Thomas Gaist, 17 April 2015
The Obama administration signaled approval Tuesday for legislation that would give Congress a role in the event that a deal is reached on Iran’s nuclear program.
Report documents carnage of US drone war in Yemen
By Niles Williamson, 17 April 2015
A report released this week documents nine separate instances in which workers, merchants, pregnant women and children were either killed or wounded by American airstrikes.
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17 April 2015
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Iranian regime cautiously embraces international nuclear deal
By Peter Symonds, 10 April 2015
Public criticism has been largely limited to the terms of the agreement, with no prominent figure calling for an end to the talks.
NDP opposes Canada’s role in Mideast war on tactical grounds
By Roger Jordan, 10 April 2015
The debate over Canada’s participation in the US-led war in the Middle East has once again demonstrated that the New Democrats are a pro-imperialist party.
Obama defends Iran nuclear pact as Pentagon prepares for war
By Bill Van Auken, 7 April 2015
The Pentagon tested a new “bunker-buster” bomb, the most destructive non-nuclear weapon it has, to ensure Washington is “able to provide military options for Iran.”
Iran nuclear deal: US prepares for new wars
By Peter Symonds, 6 April 2015
The agreement with Iran does not represent a US turn towards peace, but is aimed at buttressing Washington’s position as it plans for war with Russia and China.
Political crisis in Pakistan as Saudi Arabia demands it join war against Yemen
By Sampath Perera, 6 April 2015
Islamabad fears its participation in the US-backed war will intensify conflicts with its neighbor Iran while fueling sectarian tensions within the country.
Iran makes sweeping concessions to US in nuclear “framework” deal
By Keith Jones, 3 April 2015
Obama touted the agreement as a diplomatic coup for the US, while boasting that Iran has been brought to heel by the “toughest sanctions in history.”
Dozens of refugees killed in Saudi-led airstrike on Yemen
By Niles Williamson, 31 March 2015
Now in its sixth day, the Saudi-led, US-backed assault claimed the lives of at least forty people at a refugee camp in northern Yemen on Monday.
The war in Yemen and the American drive for global domination
By Niles Williamson, 28 March 2015
The United States is backing the Saudi-led assault in Yemen as part of a wider drive to dominate the Middle East, Eurasia and, ultimately, the entire world by means of military violence.
Saudi Arabia, Egypt prepare US-backed invasion of Yemen
By Niles Williamson, 27 March 2015
The State Department announced US “intelligence sharing, targeting assistance, and advisory and logistical support” for the Saudi-led invasion of Yemen.
Israeli settlers, soldiers attack Palestinians in East Jerusalem and Nablus
By Patrick Martin, 21 March 2015
The attacks signal a new offensive by settlers encouraged by the election victory of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition.
Right-wing Israeli parties begin talks on coalition
By Patrick Martin, 19 March 2015
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to head his fourth coalition government committed to the expansion of illegal settlements on the West Bank.
US intensifies pressure on Iran at nuclear talks
By Peter Symonds, 16 March 2015
US Secretary of State Kerry has made clear that the US will walk away from the negotiating table if Iran does not meet its demands.
With Senate letter, tensions mount over US policy toward Iran
By Bill Van Auken, 12 March 2015
The extraordinary intervention of Senate Republicans to derail any nuclear treaty with Iran is symptomatic of deep divisions within the US government.
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
6 March 2015
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Obama administration bows to Israel on eve of speech by Netanyahu
By Bill Van Auken, 3 March 2015
The Israeli prime minister has organized a speech to the US Congress behind the back of the White House in a bid to scuttle a nuclear deal with Iran.
US-Iran negotiations inch toward a nuclear agreement
By Peter Symonds, 26 February 2015
The prospect of a deal has fuelled considerable tension between the US and its allies in the Middle East, particularly Israel.
In leaked recording, Egyptian minister calls for machine-gunning protesters
By Thomas Gaist, 25 February 2015
Mass protests could leave the US-backed Sisi dictatorship "helpless" unless they were crushed, Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim warned subordinates last year.
UN survey documents Israeli war crimes in Gaza
By Jean Shaoul, 18 February 2015
Israel’s war on Gaza last summer killed at least 2,205 Palestinians, including 540 children, according to UN estimates.
US threatens military intervention as UN warns of “disintegration” in Yemen
By Thomas Gaist, 14 February 2015
Comments from the top UN official and US politicians suggest that escalated military intervention in Yemen is imminent.
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
13 February 2015
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US closes diplomatic facilities in Yemen
By Thomas Gaist, 12 February 2015
US Special Forces operations and drone strikes will continue despite the closure of the American embassy, according to statements from the Pentagon.
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
6 February 2015
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