Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

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In this Aug. 23, 2004 file photo, former Palestinian security chief Mohammed Dahlan gestures prior to a meeting with leader Yasser Arafat at his compound in the West Bank town of Ramallah.(AP Photo/Nasser Shiyoukhi)

Hamas to blame for lack of Cairo mediation over Israeli airstrikes: Ex-Fatah head in Gaza

by Musaid Al-Zayani | Jul 12, 2014 | Middle East

Abu Dhabi, Asharq Al-Awsat—Hamas should renounce its ties with the Muslim Brotherhood to encourage Egypt to be more proactive in negotiating a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas militants, an exiled Gaza strongman and former Fatah leader told Asharq Al-Awsat. Mohamed...

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A Saudi woman looks at her mobile as she walks through a coffee shop in the capital Riyadh on June 17, 2013 AFP PHOTO/FAYEZ NURELDINE

Debate: Shura Council membership did not open new opportunities for Saudi Women

by Fahid Bin Suleiman Al-Shaqiran | Jul 12, 2014 | Debate

The problem facing women’s participation in national affairs relates to changing roles and ideas of personal status. I don’t think the entrance of women into the Shura Council truly fulfilled Saudi women’s ambitions. In truth, the struggle of women to play a full role...

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Saudi Shura Council. (Asharq Al-Awsat Photo)

Debate: Shura Council membership opened new opportunities for Saudi Women

by Hanan Bint Abdel-Rahim Al-Ahmedi | Jul 12, 2014 | Debate

I believe the decision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, to appoint a number of women to the Shura Council will positively affect the ability of women to compete in other fields, such as the planned elections to municipal counils....

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Bai Hassan oil refinery is shown in this June 19, 2014, photograph.
(EPA/STR)

Iraqi Kurds say seizure of Kirkuk oil fields to protect against ISIS

by Hamza Mustafa | Jul 12, 2014 | Middle East

Baghdad, Asharq Al-Awsat—The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has denied accusations that Peshmerga forces seizing two major oil fields in Kirkuk province is part of an attempt to put pressure on Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki after Iraqi Kurdish politicians...

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File photo of British Ambassador to Iraq Simon Collis.

UK Ambassador to Iraq: Sykes–Picot didn’t invent the differences in the Middle East

by Mina Al-Oraibi | Jul 11, 2014 | Interviews

London, Asharq Al-Awsat—Since taking on his position as the United Kingdom’s ambassador to Iraq in 2012, Simon Collis has witnessed increasing challenges to the political and security situation in Iraq. He is in consultation with Iraqi politicians on a daily basis as...