Articles in this Cluster
15-05-2025
US President Donald Trump met with Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, a meeting considered unthinkable months ago. Trump said his administration is exploring normalizing relations with Syria after lifting a $10m bounty on Sharaa's head and US sanctions. Sharaa, formerly linked to al-Qaeda, has been trying to present himself as a president for all Syrians since taking power in December. The US decision has sparked celebrations in Syria, where 90% of the population lives in poverty, and may enable greater aid and investment. However, dismantling sanctions will take time and require commitment from the Trump administration. Trump expects something in return for full normalization, including Syria joining the Abraham Accords, a process of normalization with Israel.
15-05-2025
President Trump met with Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former Islamist militant with ties to al-Qaeda, in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant shift in the Syrian leader's fortunes. Trump announced the US would lift sanctions on Syria, giving them "a chance at greatness," and urged al-Sharaa to join the US-backed Abraham Accords to normalize ties with Israel. Al-Sharaa, who led the rebel forces that toppled Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, has installed himself as head of a government presenting itself as inclusive and democratic. The meeting was seen as a boost to Syria's efforts to rebuild ties with the West, which had been strained due to the country's civil war. Trump's decision to meet with al-Sharaa was criticized by some, given his past ties to extremism, but Syrian-American activist Mouaz Moustafa claimed al-Sharaa is "100% a changed man" focused on rebuilding the country.
15-05-2025
President Trump stated that Iran "cannot have a nuclear weapon" and expressed his desire to "make a deal" with Iran to wind down its nuclear program, but emphasized that Tehran must end its support for proxy groups in the region. Trump made these comments at a meeting with Gulf Cooperation Council leaders in Saudi Arabia, where he also met with Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa and agreed to lift yearslong sanctions on Syria. Trump's comments on Iran came as the US and Iran have engaged in four rounds of talks on Iran's nuclear program, with Secretary of Energy Chris Wright anticipating a deal by the end of the year. Trump then traveled to Qatar for a state visit, where he was greeted with a ceremonial welcome and met with Emir Sheikh Tamim Al Thani to discuss regional issues, including the Israel-Hamas war.
15-05-2025
Donald Trump's recent Middle East tour had more substance than initially reported, with significant diplomatic developments, including a historic meeting with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa and the lifting of US sanctions on Syria. The move aims to help the war-ravaged nation unify and alleviate humanitarian crises. Trump's decision has been praised by some, including former CIA director and US defense secretary Leon Panetta, and reflects a willingness to engage with leaders despite past differences. The US is also applying pressure on Iran to agree to nuclear program restrictions and has been discussing ways to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza with Qatari and Saudi officials. The Syria sanctions decision has opened gaps with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is increasingly at odds with Trump. While the move is seen as a significant gamble, it has the potential to tip the region's geopolitical balance and prevent further chaos in Syria.
15-05-2025
Former Trump national security adviser John Bolton believes President Donald Trump was too quick to lift sanctions against Syria after meeting with interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and explains his reasoning in an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper.
15-05-2025
President Donald Trump warned Iran in a speech in Saudi Arabia that it must choose between abandoning its nuclear ambitions or facing "maximum pressure." Trump said, "If Iran's leadership rejects the olive branch and continues to attack their neighbors, then we will have no choice but to inflict massive maximum pressure." He accused Iran's leaders of stealing their people's wealth to fund terrorism and accused them of dragging down the region. Trump expressed a willingness to make a deal with Iran and see Tehran prosper if they abandon their nuclear program.
15-05-2025
President Trump, speaking at the Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh, reiterated his desire to make a deal with Iran, stating that it must stop sponsoring terror and cease its pursuit of nuclear weapons. He also praised the Abraham Accords, a US-brokered agreement between the UAE, Bahrain, and Israel, and expressed his intention to add more countries to the accord. Trump also commented on Lebanon's "new chance for a future free from the grip of Hezbollah terrorists" and envisioned a Middle East that is a "thriving commercial, diplomatic and cultural crossroads".
15-05-2025
US President Trump is visiting the Gulf states and has declared it a "golden age of the Middle East". During his trip, he vowed to stop sanctions on Syria and expressed his desire for a nuclear deal with Iran. The visit is being discussed on the Sky News podcast "The World With Richard Engel And Yalda Hakim", where correspondents share their insights on the trip and other regional developments, including a fragile ceasefire between India and Pakistan and a search for American hostages killed by ISIS in Syria.
15-05-2025
US President Donald Trump is on a Middle East trip, visiting Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar and meeting with regional leaders in Abu Dhabi. He signed a $96 billion deal with Qatar for the purchase of up to 210 American-made Boeing planes, despite initially claiming the deal was worth $200 billion and included 160 jets. Trump received an opulent welcome in Qatar, with a motorcade escorted by Tesla Cybertrucks and a tea ceremony with the Qatari Emir. The trip has yielded several economic deals, including defense agreements and a joint declaration of cooperation between the US and Qatar. The Qatari Prime Minister downplayed a luxury jet gift to Trump, calling it a "government-to-government transaction" still under legal review.
15-05-2025
US President Donald Trump's plan to accept a $400m luxury Boeing 747-8 jet from Qatar's royal family has sparked widespread criticism across the US political divide. Both Trump's opponents and supporters have expressed concerns, with some labeling the deal a "bribe" or "grift." The Qatari royal family plans to gift the plane to the US Department of Defence to be used as part of the Air Force One fleet, with the White House stating it will be transferred to Trump's presidential library after his term. Critics point to Qatar's alleged ties to terrorism and argue that the gift is not without strings attached, despite the White House claiming it is a government-to-government transaction. The deal has raised ethical concerns, with some questioning whether it breaches the US Constitution's clause preventing officials from accepting gifts from foreign states.
15-05-2025
Boeing has secured a deal with Qatar for up to 210 jets, worth $96 billion, described by the White House as the aircraft maker's "largest-ever" widebody order. The deal includes 130 of Boeing's 787 Dreamliner jets and 30 of its 777-9s, with options for an additional 50 Dreamliners and 777X. The order comes as US President Donald Trump visited Qatar, where $243 billion in economic deals between the US and Qatar were announced. The deal is seen as a boost to Boeing, which has faced challenges including a decline in orders and a strike last year.
15-05-2025
The US State Department has approved a potential sale of over $1.4 billion in helicopters and F-16 fighter jet parts to the United Arab Emirates, ahead of President Donald Trump's visit to the country. The proposed sale includes $1.32 billion for CH-47F Chinook helicopters and $130 million for F-16 parts. The UAE has pledged to spend $1.4 trillion in US investments over the next decade. Some Democrats have expressed concerns over the sale, citing the UAE's business dealings with Trump and its alleged involvement in war crimes.
15-05-2025
Israel has issued a major evacuation order for Palestinians sheltering in Gaza City, warning of "intense strikes" ahead, despite concerns from local authorities and aid agencies that thousands of civilians are sheltering in the area. The order includes buildings such as the Islamic University, Al-Shifa Hospital, and former schools, which Israel alleges are being used by Hamas as "command and control centres". Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has spoken out against expanding the military campaign, citing humanitarian concerns and the risk of famine in Gaza, where 2.1 million Palestinians are at "critical risk" of food insecurity. Israel has denied starving Gaza, but the UN and aid agencies have expressed alarm at the humanitarian situation. A US-sponsored ceasefire proposal is being considered, but Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to expand the military offensive.
15-05-2025
Satellite images show that Israel is constructing large sites in Gaza, potentially to be used as distribution centers for humanitarian aid as part of a new plan. The plan, backed by the US, involves private companies and Israeli forces managing aid distribution, but has been rejected by UN agencies, which say it contradicts humanitarian principles. The sites are being built in southern and central Gaza, with new roads and staging areas constructed in recent weeks. Humanitarian sources say at least four centers will be built in southern Gaza and one in the north. The UN has warned that Gaza's 2.1 million population is at "critical risk" of famine due to Israel's suspension of food and medicine deliveries in March. Critics, including Oxfam, describe the plan as a "farce" and say it will not address Israel's strategy of using starvation as a weapon of war.
15-05-2025
Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least 60 people, including nearly two dozen children, on Wednesday, despite mounting pressure from US President Donald Trump for a ceasefire. The strikes came a day after the Trump administration brokered a deal with Hamas to release American hostage Edan Alexander, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the offensive until Hamas is defeated. Netanyahu faces increasing pressure from the US and international community, with French President Emmanuel Macron denouncing Israel's blockade on Gaza as "a disgrace" and warning of a potential famine. The war in Gaza has killed nearly 53,000 Palestinians and displaced 90% of the population, with international experts warning of a humanitarian crisis.
15-05-2025
Former Hamas hostages are urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Donald Trump, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to secure the release of remaining captives held by Hamas, even if it means halting military operations, after the recent release of American Israeli Edan Alexander. A letter signed by 65 survivors of Hamas captivity calls on the leaders to seize the "historic momentum" and negotiate a comprehensive deal to free the remaining hostages. On October 7, 2023, Hamas took 251 hostages, including 12 American citizens, and while some have been released or recovered, many remain in captivity.
15-05-2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to use "full force" against Hamas in the coming days to "complete" the fight and destroy the terror group. He made the remarks while visiting Israel Defense Forces reservists, stating that eliminating Hamas and freeing the remaining 58 hostages held in Gaza "go hand in hand." Netanyahu said there may be a temporary ceasefire but Israel will not stop the war until Hamas is defeated. His comments came as US Special Envoys met with hostage families and traveled to Doha for ceasefire talks, and as US President Donald Trump began a Middle East trip to discuss ending the war in Gaza.
15-05-2025
Dozens of people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, including at hospitals, as the UN Security Council is urged to "prevent genocide". On Wednesday, at least 53 people were killed in strikes on homes in northern Gaza's Jabalia area, including 22 children. The Israeli military had warned residents to evacuate due to Hamas infrastructure in the area. On Tuesday, nine missiles hit the European Hospital in southern Gaza, killing at least 16 people, with Israel claiming it targeted a "Hamas command centre" beneath the hospital. The UN's top humanitarian official accused Israel of "deliberately and unashamedly" imposing inhumane conditions on Palestinians by blocking aid to Gaza. The strikes have killed over 60 people in 24 hours, with many more injured, and have drawn international condemnation, with Gazan officials accusing Israel of targeting journalists and civilians.
15-05-2025
A U.S.-backed foundation, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, established with support from the Trump administration, announced it is ready to distribute aid in Gaza and has reached agreements with Israel to begin operations by the end of the month. The foundation aims to create an alternative aid system to end Israel's two-month blockade on food and fuel deliveries, which has raised concerns about famine. Israel has agreed to allow aid into Gaza while the foundation sets up distribution sites and will permit the establishment of sites in more locations. The plan involves creating distribution zones serving several hundred thousand Palestinians, with the foundation expecting to provide over 300 million meals in the first 90 days. However, some aid groups and the U.N. have raised concerns about the plan's feasibility, potential displacement of civilians, and vulnerability to looters.
15-05-2025
Gal Dalal's 24-year-old brother, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, was taken hostage by Hamas during the Nova music festival attack on October 7. Gal, who escaped, fears for his brother's safety as Israeli bombing intensifies in Gaza, and is holding onto hope that his brother is still alive. A propaganda video released by Hamas in February showed Guy, and Gal has been keeping hope alive with the support of his family. Gal is pinning his hopes on a deal brokered by former President Trump to free the hostages, and said his family's love for Guy is what he hopes will "save him right now."
15-05-2025
Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old American-Israeli hostage held captive by Hamas for over 580 days, was released and reunited with his family. His mother, Yael Alexander, described the emotional reunion, saying "time stood still" and that every minute of his captivity was a "battle between hope and despair." Edan faced daily fear, hunger, and poor living conditions while being held in underground tunnels. His family is calling for the release of the remaining hostages and thanked President Trump for his role in Edan's release. Edan is recovering in a Tel Aviv hospital and is expected to return to his home in New Jersey soon.
15-05-2025
Russia has released a list of officials attending Ukraine peace talks in Turkey, but President Vladimir Putin is not among them, indicating he may not attend. The Russian delegation will be led by Vladimir Medinsky, a hard-line aide to Putin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed willingness to negotiate in any format, but criticized Russia for prolonging the war. Former US President Donald Trump, who is pushing for peace talks, has decided not to attend, but will send Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other envoys instead. The talks are set to begin on Thursday in Istanbul amidst a backdrop of ongoing conflict and diplomatic pressure on Russia.
15-05-2025
Ukrainian front-line soldiers are cautiously optimistic about recent direct talks between Russia and Ukraine, the first in three years, with some hoping it could be the "beginning of the end" of the war. However, others are skeptical, believing Russia will not stop if Ukraine gives up territory and that concessions will only lead to further aggression. The soldiers have witnessed the devastating consequences of the war, with hundreds of thousands killed, and are determined to defend their land. The war has taken a heavy toll on Ukraine, with widespread destruction and loss of life, and many are mourning the loss of loved ones. Families of fallen soldiers, like Yana Stepanenko, whose son was killed in combat, are struggling to come to terms with the loss and are uncertain about the prospects of peace.
15-05-2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend peace talks on the war in Ukraine in Istanbul on Thursday, with his aide Vladimir Medinsky leading the Russian delegation instead. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had called for Putin's attendance, stating he would attend if Putin did, but now appears unlikely to do so. The talks, scheduled for Istanbul's Dolmabahce Palace, will be closed to the press. US President Donald Trump, who had hinted at attending if Putin were there, will also not be present, with the US instead sending a high-level delegation led by Marco Rubio to meet Nato foreign ministers and discuss the war.
