Why does Russia support Syria and Bashar al-Assad and how has Vladimir Putin reacted to the UK airstrikes?
How did Russia and Putin get involved in Syria? The Soviet Union first gained influence in Syria during the 1970s by supplying aid and arms….
Dubai stocks dive to 27-month low on real estate woes
Dubai stocks hit a 27-month low on the back of sharp falls in the real estate market and a drop in liquidity levels. The Dubai…
Telegram shutdown sparks anger in Iran
Internet freedom has become a new political battlefield in Iran as a judicial order to block Telegram, a widely-used messaging application, has ignited anger among…
U.S. freezes funding for Syria’s “White Helmets”
Less than two months ago the State Department hosted members of the White Helmets at Foggy Bottom. At the time, the humanitarian group was showered…
The Need for a New Diplomatic Approach in Syria
Over the last seven years of the Syrian Civil War, perhaps the one thing all sides in the conflict can at least nominally agree upon…
IMF: Saudi Arabia Needs Oil at US$85 to US$87 a Barrel
In order to balance its state budget, Saudi Arabia needs oil prices to increase to roughly US$85 to US$87 a barrel, an International Monetary Fund (IMF)…
Saudi Arabia launches initiative to improve country’s lifestyle
Saudi Arabia plans to spend 50 billion riyals ($13.33 billion) by 2020 on an initiative to promote entertainment, health, sports and education as part of…
Turkish worker detained for crossing border with Greece
A Turkish municipal worker was detained in Greece on May 2 after he accidentally crossed the border, Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency has reported. Recep Gürkan, mayor of northwestern border province…
Change in Iraq mission could mean some 10th Mountain soldiers come home early
With the end of major combat operations against ISIS in Iraq, some soldiers with the 10th Mountain Division currently deployed there might be home before the end…
Ramadan school timings announced in Dubai
The KHDA has asked schools to halt all physical education classes during the Ramadan period. Students in Dubai will have shorter school days during Ramadan,…