Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

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A file picture taken on September 15, 2014 shows French military support staff walking towards a Rafale fighter jet during at the Al-Dhafra base, about 32 kilometres south of Abu Dhabi. (AFP Photo/Taieb Mahjoub)

France says it launches first air strikes in Iraq

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Sep 19, 2014 | Middle East

Paris, Reuters—France said on Friday its jets had launched strikes inside Iraq for the first time since the country promised to join military action against Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) insurgents who have taken over parts of the country. “This morning...

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‘No’ supporters celebrate their win over the ‘Yes’ campaign at the Royal Highland center during the Scottish referendum in Edinburgh, Scotland, on September 19, 2014. (EPA/Andy Rain)

Scots reject independence in historic vote

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Sep 19, 2014 | World

Edinburgh, AP—Scottish voters have resoundingly rejected independence, deciding to remain part of the United Kingdom after a historic referendum that shook the country to its core. The decision prevented a rupture of a 307-year union with England, bringing a huge sigh...

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EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton (C) poses next to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (C-R) and the Iranian delegation after a ceremony at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, on November 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Keystone, Martial Trezzini)

Opinion: The Posse and the Iranian Fugitive

by Amir Taheri | Sep 19, 2014 | Opinion

As Iranian President Hassan Rouhani prepares to fly to New York, the buzz in his faction is that he will return with “another great diplomatic victory.” We heard the same tune last year when Rouhani paid his first visit to the Big Apple for the United Nations General...

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A Kurdish Peshmerga fighter takes his position behind a wall on the front line with militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), in Tuz Khurmato on Wednesday, June 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Peshmerga forces ready for anti-ISIS alliance

by Dalshad Abdullah | Sep 19, 2014 | Middle East

Erbil, Asharq Al-Awsat—Kurdistan’s Peshmerga Ministry formally announced its readiness to participate in the US-led international military alliance that is being formed to combat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Peshmerga...

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A general view shows damage in the Hammam Al-Nahasin bathhouse, dating back to the 13th century, in the old market of Syria’s northern city of Aleppo on February 22, 2014. (AFP Photo/Mahmud Al-Halabi)

Damascus bathhouses stand empty as conflict keeps bathers away

by Hisham Adra | Sep 19, 2014 | Lifestyle & Culture

Damascus, Asharq Al-Awsat—Ahmed works as a masseur at a Damascus hammam (bathhouse), and he and a tea boy—who insisted on serving us steaming cups of the beverage—are the last two workers to have remained at the premises. With an expression saddened by seeing the...