Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Opinion: When Sanctions Hurt, Not Help

by Abdulrahman Al-Rashed | Oct 25, 2013 | Opinion

If the economic sanctions had not become unbearable, perhaps Iran would not have been forced to perform this political comedy, acting out its desire for reconciliation with the West and finding a solution to the nuclear issue. The economic repercussions of the...

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FILE – In this Sept. 10, 2013 pool-file photo, President Barack Obama addresses the nation in a live televised speech from the East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool-File)

Obama’s Real ‘Red Lines’ in Syria

by Mina Al-Oraibi | Sep 12, 2013 | Majalla Blogs

“The Assad regime does not have the ability to seriously threaten our military. Any other retaliation they might seek is in line with threats that we face every day. Neither Assad nor his allies have any interest in escalation that would lead to his demise. And...

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US Secretary of State John Kerry (C) arrives for a meeting with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to discuss the Syrian conflict in Geneva, Switzerland, 12 September 2013. (EPA/MARTIAL TREZZINI)

Diplomatic efforts intensify on corralling Syrian chemical arms

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Sep 12, 2013 | Middle East

Geneva/United Nations, Reuters—Diplomatic efforts to place Syria’s chemical weapons under international control intensified on Wednesday as Russia warned that a US strike could unleash extremist attacks and carry the country’s bitter civil war beyond...