Jun 06 Siding against ally Qatar, President Trump injects U.S. into Arab crisis By Josh Lederman, Associated Press President Donald Trump injected the U.S. into a volatile crisis among America's Mideast allies, siding with Saudi Arabia and other countries against Qatar in a dispute that threatens to disrupt efforts to defeat the Islamic State group and counter Iran. Continue reading
Jun 05 Watch 6:39 What's behind the dramatic diplomatic rift with Qatar? By PBS News Hour Political shock waves roiled the Persian Gulf, as Saudi Arabia and other Arab states cut all ties with Qatar, accusing the tiny oil state of supporting terror groups and embracing Iran. How did simmering tensions burst into full-on crisis for… Continue watching
Mar 21 Watch 5:46 What sparked a new carry-on electronics ban on some flights? By PBS News Hour Passengers flying out of 10 specific airports in the Middle East can no longer take large electronic devices in their carry-on luggage, according to a new rule from the Department of Homeland Security. The British announced a similar rule, but… Continue watching
Nov 30 Watch 9:00 Can a task force of foreign policy experts spark change in the Middle East? By PBS News Hour As chairs of the Middle East Strategy Task Force, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley are leading a bipartisan effort to stabilize one of the world's most volatile regions. Albright and Hadley join… Continue watching
Aug 16 Watch 6:28 With Gitmo on the path to closure, Obama approves major prisoner release By PBS News Hour On Monday, President Obama approved his largest single release of prisoners from Guantanamo Bay, reducing its population by 15 to a total of 61 -- roughly 25% the size when he took office. Closing the facility he called a “recruitment… Continue watching
Aug 16 15 detainees transferred out of Guantanamo, leaving 61 By Larisa Epatko The Pentagon announced Monday the transfer of 15 inmates out of the U.S. prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba -- its largest transfer yet from the controversial detention facility. Continue reading
Apr 21 In Saudi visit, Obama works to calm Gulf tensions with U.S. By Kathleen Hennessey and Adam Schreck, Associated Press RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- President Barack Obama strained to ease tensions with Persian Gulf allies Thursday, pledging U.S. help in confronting Iran and other security threats. Yet he failed to win the commitments he sought to boost economic aid to… Continue reading
Apr 01 How sending aid landed one Libyan family in prison By P. J. Tobia On his Shortwave podcast this week, P.J. Tobia reports on the story of one Libyan family, how they suffered under Muammar Qaddafi’s regime, and how after he was captured and killed, things got much, much worse. Continue reading
May 14 Obama convenes Camp David summit with Gulf state leaders By Julie Pace, Associated Press CAMP DAVID, Md. — President Barack Obama sought to reassure anxious Persian Gulf nations on Thursday that the United States is committed to their security, insisting a nuclear deal with Iran would not leave them more vulnerable. Continue reading
Feb 15 Top Muslim Brotherhood official sentenced to jail in Jordan By Carey Reed A Jordan court sentenced a top Muslim Brotherhood official to jail on Sunday for publicly criticizing the United Arab Emirates. Continue reading