The Middle East
Iran
Domestic operatives carried out cyberattacks on Iranian regime websites
Treadstone 71, a provider of cyber security consulting and training services, has published a new report on highly-publicized breaches of Iranian government websites and...
Democracy & Human Rights
Former UN judges, prominent jurists & politicians demand Iran’s leaders be held accountable for 1988 massacre
During an international conference on August 21, former UN Judges, renowned legal experts, and prominent politicians from the US, Europe, and Africa called on...
Democracy & Human Rights
The Iranian opposition issues an urgent call to action to prevent a political prisoner’s execution
This morning, Wednesday, July 19, 2023, a judge at Vakil Abad Prison in Mashhad, capital of the northeastern Razavi Khorasan Province, sentenced to death...
Albania
Iranians hold rallies to protest police raid on opposition’s Albania-based HQ
Protests were held outside Albanian embassies and consulates in at least ten cities on June 20th and 21st following a raid by police on...
Iran
Iran’s ruling mullahs have demanded that European governments crackdown on opposition groups
As European and Iranian officials actively work to reduce tensions, some diplomatic sources privately say that Tehran has demanded from France that it silence...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Belgium’s prisoner swap with Iran proves the EU is unwilling to punish state sponsors of terror
An Iranian terrorist, Asadollah Assadi, is heading home from Belgium just two years into a 20-year sentence. He is the beneficiary of the Islamic...
Democracy & Human Rights
EU parliamentarians, former world leaders demand policy changes, recognition of Iranian resistance
On May 24, dozens of members of the European Parliament held a meeting in Brussels to discuss prospective changes in policy toward the Iran....
Iran
Italian senators back Iran’s democratic opposition; call for immediate blacklisting of Revolutionary Guards
During a news conference held at the Italian Parliament on April 13, key lawmakers announced that a bipartisan majority of senators have officially backed...
Azerbaijan
The Iranian regime is becoming ruthlessly paranoid about ethnic Azeri demands for civil rights guarantees
Complete disregard for the well-being of Iran’s Azeri minority has sparked a wave of intense anger within the community.
Europe & Eurasia
Recovery from the disaster of the century needs more than a few months of international assistance
Two devastating earthquakes hit the Turkish-Syrian border on February 6. The epicenter of the first 7.7 magnitude quake struck 34 kilometers west of Gaziantep,...
Democracy & Human Rights
Opponents of ayatollahs vow Iranian women will transform the country into a democratic republic
Iranian opposition leader Maryam Rajavi say a democratic revolution is unfolding in Iran.
Rajavi was the keynote speaker of an international conference in Brussels on...
Morocco
Morocco is key to the EU’s Neighborhood Policy
Morocco has positioned and developed itself as an indisputable oasis of social and economic stability in a part of the world where such claims are few and far between; a fact that is not lost on many of Europe's politicians.
Democracy & Human Rights
Iranian diaspora’s push for democracy: Rejects the past, advocates for the future
In recent rallies and conferences, including in Paris, Berlin, London, Belgium, Oslo, Rome, Washington, DC and Toronto, Iranian expatriates and associated organizations have called...
Disasters and Reconstruction Initiatives
Turkey-Syria earthquake relief efforts spawn new diplomatic initiatives
With rescue efforts continuing after a devastating 7.8 Richter earthquake that took place on the Turkey-Syria border on February 6, survivors are miraculously still...
Democracy & Human Rights
Thousands of Iranians hold pro-democracy rally in Paris
On a cold and wintry day in Paris, some 10,000 supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, or NCRI, gathered to mark...
Democracy & Human Rights
NE Global interviews Iran’s Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi
Iranians have tried every other possible way to work for change, for many years. Those who thought they could reform the regime have continually been disappointed. Now they know that they have no other solution.
Energy
Is “cable diplomacy” shaping energy policy in the Mediterranean & Middle East?
The transition towards a carbon neutral economy has become a priority for many governments around the world. Using the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals...
Iran
Political prisoners in Iran do not bow to the absolute authority of the Supreme Leader
The legal system of the Islamic Republic is in no way compliant with the requirements of modern international laws or the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Iran
Ignored for too long, Europe should realize a democratic Iran is closer than ever
The unity of urban intellectuals and the more underprivileged sectors of Iranian society poses a unique challenge to the regime.
Iran
Iran’s protests underscore the strength and viability of a democratic alternative
The mullahs are struggling to maintain their hold on power. Western nations should support the people’s will by further isolating the regime, closing Iranian embassies and halting diplomatic relations. The clerical regime may have once seemed an immovable fixture of the Middle East landscape, but this isn’t the case any longer.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan’s opening of an embassy in Israel is a major tectonic shift on the regional geopolitical map
With the regional geopolitical situation as it is, and amidst pressure and threats on multiple fronts, Azerbaijan has responded with a key decision to bolster relations with a key ally by formally opening an embassy in Israel.
Democracy & Human Rights
We are fighting for the freedom of all Iranians. Where does Europe stand?
Western governments should recognize the Iranian people’s right to defend themselves, and they should isolate the regime completely.
Iran
Opposition leader tells Irish MPs Iran is going through a major transformative period
Iranian Resistance leader Maryam Rajavi met virtually with members of the Irish parliament on November 16, two months into the wave of protests that...
Newsletter
Helping women lead across the Mediterranean
Female unemployment rate remains well below the global average. More than half of working women are employed informally, with low-wage jobs and fewer rights than men.
Democracy & Human Rights
EU politicians slam Tehran’s sanctions targeting European supporters of Iran’s organized resistance
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, strongly condemned the Iranian regime’s decision on October 26 to sanction several MEPs, as well as...
Democracy & Human Rights
The Iranian people have committed to a revolution, so where is the West?
Huge changes have occurred in Iran's political landscape since the start of the protests two months ago. Western governments, however, need to unequivocally and immediately back the movement instead of playing lip-service to vague notions of solidarity and outrage.
Iran
British MPs urge UK govt to support Iran’s ongoing protest movement
More than a dozen British lawmakers met this week with the Iranian opposition leader Maryam Rajavi to discuss the ongoing protests in the Islamic...
Democracy & Human Rights
Ahead of EU ministerial meeting, lawmakers offer support for Iranian protesters’ right to resist
Ambassadors from the European Union's 27 members sent a unanimous signal on October 12 after coming to an agreement on a plan to impose...
Iran
European Parliament takes formal step towards showing solidarity with Iranian protesters
Following an invitation from the Friends of Free Iran intergroup of the European Parliament, the Iranian opposition leader Maryam Rajavi met several prominent EU...
Libya
Understanding Libya’s relentless destabilization
After leading a military coup in 1969, Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi cemented his rule over Libya for more than 40 years. A variety of different political ideologies—Pan-Arabism,...
Iran
Recurrence of uprisings in Iran highlights missing factor in Western policy
The Islamic Republic of Iran has been a uniquely difficult area for American and European foreign policy since the Islamist dictatorship was established in...
Finance
The Pandora Papers: Exposing Iran’s clandestine financial system
As the international community continues to coordinate a response to the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine, longstanding debates surrounding sanction efficacy and compliance have...
Morocco
EU says no to Western Sahara separatists; non-recognition policy remains unchanged
With top officials and heads of state gathering in Brussels for the opening of Thursday's EU-African Union Summit, the European Union released a key...
Libya
Who actually owns Libyan oil?
In the past the long-term export of petroleum products allowed Libyans to maintain a high standard of living for several decades, outpacing most African...
Azerbaijan
Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power breaks ground on first and largest wind project in Azerbaijan
The Azerbaijani Ministry of Energy and ACWA Power held a groundbreaking ceremony on January 14 for the 240 MW wind power plant with an...
Africa
TotalEnergies joins Masdar and Siemens Energy to develop green hydrogen
Dubai-based renewable energy major Masdar announced on January 19 that TotalEnergies is adding its expertise in the energy sector to a Masdar-led initiative focused...
Cyprus
Impact of high energy prices on industry in the East Med region
Europe is still roiling under the impact of high energy prices that do not seem to be going away any time soon. Dutch hub...
Archive
Support for frontline staff and volunteers is key to overcoming Europe’s fresh COVID onslaught
In many ways, Europe is far better placed to withstand its second pandemic winter. Though cases are surging across the continent and the new...
Archive
Oil climbs as OPEC+ may delay further supply recovery if there is a slump in demand
Oil prices climbed on December 3 after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and oil producing allies led by Russia, a grouping...
Archive
Masdar inks deal to develop Armenias largest solar power plant
UAE’s Masdar has signed an agreement with the Government of Armenia to develop a 200-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) plant. The Ayg-1 project will...
Archive
UAE, Kazakhstan to explore opportunities in the energy sector
Samruk-Kazyna, the sovereign wealth fund of Kazakhstan, said on December 1 it has signed a long-term strategic agreement with Abu Dhabi Development Holding Company,...
Libya
Instability in Libya is set to exacerbate Europe’s migrant crisis
At least four dinghies reached the shore at Dungeness in Kent on Sunday, carrying dozens of people desperate to reach Britain before worsening winter...
Analysis
The Second Karabakh War, one year later
One year after the end of the Second Karabakh War, the landscape in the South Caucasus has changed: both politically and physically. Against all...
Archive
Why it’s important to save the independent Kyiv Post
When I returned to Ukraine to work for the Kyiv Post, I had a vague plan to stay for three years. Two years of combing...
Archive
Uzbekistan plans to double energy production to 30 GW by 2030
Uzbekistan will announce three new international tenders, for the construction of over 400 kilometers of overhead power lines, and two other new tenders for...
Archive
Fearing recovery setback, OPEC+ sticks to plans to raise oil output gradually
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies led by Russia, a group so called OPEC+, dismissed demands from the United States...
Archive
Interview with Abdullah Muteb Alrasheed, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the Czech Republic
Abdullah Muteb Alrasheed is the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Czech Republic. Alrasheed studied at several prominent universities, including political...
Analysis
New political patterns in the South Caucasus
Developments in the South Caucasus continue to race ahead of Europe’s understanding of them. By the time an event has been noticed, recognized, digested,...
Archive
A dash of UK Hubris: Containing China
Hubris is a fickle emotion. Too much of it can be deadly, while too little of it can be crushing. A country with a...
Archive
Egypt, Cyprus and Greece ink deal to construct electricity interconnector
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el–Sisi met in Athens, Greece, on October 19 where they...
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