Ian Black

Syria accuses Jordan of ‘playing with fire’

LONDON: Jordan is facing mounting tension with neighbouring Syria amid signs that it has moved to a more active role in support of the rebels fighting to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad’s government. Published 07 Apr, 2013 06:11am

Syrian opposition in disarray

Bashar al-Assad, it sometimes seems, is lucky in his enemies. Controversy and bitter recriminations have been raging in their ranks since the leader of the Syrian opposition coalition (SOC), Moaz al-Khatib, Published 10 Feb, 2013 03:11am

Tunisia’s democratic image tarnished

Tunisia provided the first spark of the Arab spring and became the poster child for its positive achievements: the overthrow of a dictator with relatively little bloodshed, an orderly transition, free elections and the rise of Published 08 Feb, 2013 11:05pm

Iran struggles to woo reluctant Egypt

LONDON: Forging better relations between Iran and Egypt is turning out to be harder than the Islamic Republic might have imagined after the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak — the biggest upheaval of the Arab Published 17 Jan, 2013 03:05am

UK, France ready to back Palestinian statehood at UN

LONDON: Britain is prepared to back a key vote recognising Palestinian statehood at the United Nations if Mahmoud Abbas pledges not to pursue Israel for war crimes and to resume peace talks. Published 28 Nov, 2012 12:08am

Saudi succession in the limelight

SAUDI-watchers and bloggers — and the official media — are having a field day over the appointment of the kingdom’s new interior minister, Mohammed Bin Nayef. Published 08 Nov, 2012 12:00am

Strained relations with the Gulf

BRITAIN’S relations with Saudi Arabia and other wealthy Gulf states are coming under strain because of mounting nervousness over the changes the Arab Spring has brought to the Middle East. Published 18 Oct, 2012 01:01am