Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

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A member of the Al-Nusra Front sits in tank decorated with the Al-Nusra flag near Al-Zahra village, north of Aleppo city, November 25, 2014.
(REUTERS/Hosam Katan)

Syria’s war enters new year more fragmented than ever

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Dec 25, 2014 | Middle East

Beirut, Reuters— Deep into its fourth year of conflict, Syria looks less and less like a state than a patchwork of warring fiefdoms, making outside powers more reluctant to intervene even as it becomes more destabilizing for the region. The United States finally...

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Pope Francis speaks during a meeting with the media at the Pope VI hall, at the Vatican, Saturday, March 16, 2013. Source: AP Photo/Michael Sohn

Pope’s Christmas address condemns ISIS ‘brutal persecution’

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Dec 25, 2014 | World

Vatican City, Reuters—Pope Francis condemned the “brutal persecution” of minorities by Islamic State of Ira and Syria (ISIS) insurgents in his Christmas message on Thursday and urged people not to be indifferent to the suffering of so many around the...

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(AAA Photo)

Saudi Arabia announces 2015 budget

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Dec 25, 2014 | Business

Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat—Saudi Arabia announced its 2015 budget on Thursday, projecting spending of 860 billion riyals and revenues of 715 billion riyals, leaving a projected deficit of 145 billion riyals. The projected spending for 2015 is slightly higher than the...

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A member loyal to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) waves an ISIS flag in the Syrian city of Raqqa, on June 29, 2014. (Reuters/Stringer)

Syrian rebels increasingly joining ISIS: Coalition ambassador

by Fahd Al-Zayabi | Dec 25, 2014 | Middle East

Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat—Moderate Syrian opposition fighters are increasingly joining the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) for financial reasons, Syrian National Coalition representative to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Adib Al-Shishakli has warned. In...

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A supporter holds a poster of Tunisian presidential candidate Beji Caid El-Sebsi as he celebrates after the first results following the second round of the country’s presidential election, in Tunis, on December 21, 2014. (AP Photos/Hassene Dridi)

Opinion: Between Sebsi and Sisi

by Mshari Al-Zaydi | Dec 25, 2014 | Opinion

There are many exciting similarities between Tunisia and Egypt. The two countries have followed almost exactly the same course, from the chaotic bedlam of the Arab Spring to the almost similar surnames of their current presidents, Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Beji Caid...