Asia

Russia nudges Syria to move on

Credit: Asia Times: The latest United Nations Security Council statement on Syria displays unanimity of opinion over the year-long crisis. The onus on the West now is to find a way to work with Russia rather than around Russia, which is taking a lead role in pressurizing President Bashar al-Assad. […]

Mullah Lavrov!

By TARIQ ALHOMAYED, ARABNEWS A dangerous statement, or gaffe, was made by the Russian Foreign Ministry, by its minister Sergey Lavrov, in which he said: “If the current Syrian regime collapses, some countries in the region will want to establish Sunni rule in Syria.” It is very strange that a […]

New Protests Test Saudi Monarchy’s Control

Credit: Stratfor: The Arabian Peninsula has not been immune to the wave of recent demonstrations in countries across the Middle East. Notably,protests have been ongoing in Saudi Arabia’s Shiite-concentrated Eastern Province for more than a year. Recently, however, unrelated demonstrations began in parts of the country where such unrest is […]

Iran’s nuclear claims test good faith

Credit: Asia Times: By Gareth Porter Iranian nuclear envoy Ali Asghar Soltanieh has gone public about the failed visit by the United Nations’ atomic energy agency last month after anonymous statements from the watchdog and Western capitals portrayed Tehran as uncooperative. His account presents fascinating detail that belies that charge. […]