Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

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Joko Widodo, left, and Prabowo Subianto. (AP)

Indonesia’s democracy faces test as tally comes in

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Jul 20, 2014 | World

Jakarta, AP—After an ugly presidential election campaign, Indonesia is set to declare the winner on Tuesday—but that may not settle a simmering dispute between the two candidates, both of whom claim victory. Unofficial counts by eight polling agencies of the July 9...

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A vendor looks on as he sells dates at a market in Utaiqah neighborhood, south of Riyadh, on June 26, 2014.
(REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser)

GCC to launch consumer protection body in 2016: source

by Shuja Al-Baqmi | Jul 20, 2014 | Business

Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat—The planned Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) consumer protection commission will be launched in 2016, according to a source familiar with the situation who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat on the condition of anonymity. The GCC has moved to set up a...

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Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari speaks with US Secretary of State John Kerry (not seen) during a meeting in Baghdad, Iraq, on June 23, 2014.
(AP Photo/Brendan Smialowski, Pool)

Hoshyar Zebari: Either the political process succeeds or Iraq plunges into chaos

by Sawsan Abu-Husain | Jul 20, 2014 | Interviews

Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat—With Iraq’s Kurds set to nominate their candidates for the Iraqi presidency on Sunday, there are hopes of a breakthrough in negotiations to form a new government following legislative elections on April 30. Agreement on a prime minister, who...

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US Secretary of State John Kerry leaving a press conference after closed-door nuclear talks on Iran take place in Vienna, Austria, Tuesday, July 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)

Debate: Iran nuclear deal has a future

by David Patrikarakos | Jul 20, 2014 | Debate

So the interim nuclear deal reached between Iran and the P5+1 world powers, the UN Security Council powers and Germany, has been extended. In spite of last-minute efforts from international convoys fueled by hope and desperation in Vienna this weekend, it is now clear...

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European Union High Representative Catherine Ashton, left, and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, speak to the press after closed-door nuclear talks in Vienna, Austria, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)

Debate: Iran nuclear deal has no future

by Samih Maaytah | Jul 20, 2014 | Debate

When we talk about a possible agreement between Iran and the P5 +1, not only are we talking about a technical military agreement regarding the Iranian nuclear program, but we are also implicitly engaging with Iran’s expansionist ambitions, which are part and parcel of...