NEWS | Al Bawaba

Iraqi Shiite fighters from the Iran-backed Hezbollah brigades take part in a military parade to mark the pro-Palestinian Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day in Baghdad, May 2020 /AFP

When Soft Power is Not Enough: Why Iran’s Influence in Iraq Remains Fragile

Nicholas Pritchard

Since the fall of the Ba’athist regime in Iraq after the US invasion, Iran has displayed a flexible foreign policy initiative towards its neighbours. In many ways the strategy reflected other instances of Iranian influence,

A police van drives out of a detention centre while allegedly transporting people who were jailed to different terms for participating in recent rallies of opposition supporters, who accuse strongman Alexander Lukashenko of falsifying the polls in the presidential election, in Minsk on August 12, 2020. Sergei GAPON / AFP

Police Arrest More Than 2,000 Amid Protests in Belarus

More than 2,000 more people were detained during the ongoing protests in Belarus over the past day, pushing the total number of arrests to over 5,000, the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday. The most massive

The vaccine trial is being carried out in Brazil in partnership with Brazilian Research Institute Butanta. SILVIO AVILA / AFP

Russia Starts Producing COVID-19 Vaccine in 2 Weeks

Initial batches of Russia’s coronavirus vaccine rolling off production lines within as soon as two weeks will be earmarked for immunizing doctors before going to the general public, the country’s health minister said Wednesday. Vaccine

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) greets Isabel Aarts in her stroller during a campaign stop on August 11, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Stephen Maturen / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar Emerges Victorious in Minnesota Primaries

Voters in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Connecticut and Vermont cast votes in primary contests on Tuesday to determine final races for November as Georgia held a pair of runoff contests from its June primary. Minnesota Rep. Ilhan

Protests over the Rabaa Massacre in Cairo (AFP / File)

Seven Years on Egypt Remembers The Rabaa Massacre With 817 Dead

Aug. 14 marks the seventh anniversary of a peaceful sit-in in Cairo’s Rabaa Square by hundreds of supporters of President Mohamed Morsi, protests that ended in a deadly crackdown. The massacre came weeks after Morsi

Beirut

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a Defense Council video-conference on Niger at the Fort de Bregancon, southern France on August 11, 2020. Armed forces from Niger and France have been deployed to pursue the gunmen who killed seven aid workers, mostly French citizens, and a leading guide in a Niger giraffe park considered one of the safer places in the vast West African country. On August 9, 2020, gunmen on motorcycles killed eight people including a group of French aid workers as they visited

Macron's Sincerity to Aid Lebanon is Not Genuine Analysts Say

Political analysts have cast doubt on the sincerity of French President Emmanuel Macron in his pledges of aid to Lebanon following a devastating blast in Beirut, saying Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron (C), flanked by French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (C,R) visits the devastated site of the explosion at the port of Beirut, on August 6, 2020 two days after a massive explosion devastated the Lebanese capital in a disaster that has sparked grief and fury. French President Emmanuel Macron visited shell-shocked Beirut on August 6, pledging support and urging change after a massive explosion devastated the Lebanese capital in a disaster that left 300,000 people

French FM Calls on Lebanon to Accelerate Formation of a New Cabinet

In this file photo taken on April 5, 2020 Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab speaks to the media outside the Beirut international airport. Diab was expected to announce his government's resignation on August 10, 2020 amid popular outrage over the deadly Beirut port explosion that has reignited angry street protests. ANWAR AMRO / AFP

Resignation of Diab’s Govt is a Defeat For Hezbollah

Karina Sukkar, a Lebanese architect and designer, stands the balcony of her damaged apartment overlooking the ravaged port of Lebanon's capital Beirut, in the neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael on August 9, 2020, in the aftermath of a colossal explosion that occurred days prior due to a huge pile of ammonium nitrate that had languished for years at a port warehouse. The huge chemical explosion that hit Beirut's port, devastating large parts of the Lebanese capital and claiming over 150 lives, left a 43-metre (141

World Leaders Offer Aid to Wrecked Lebanon But Say Reforms Needed For More Money

A man draped in a Lebanese flag reacts as he stands before the ravaged port of Lebanon's capital Beirut on August 9, 2020, in the aftermath of a colossal explosion that occurred days prior due to a huge pile of ammonium nitrate that had languished for years at a port warehouse. The huge chemical explosion that hit Beirut's port, devastating large parts of the Lebanese capital and claiming over 150 lives, left a 43-metre (141 foot) deep crater, a security official said. The blast Tuesday, which was felt acro

'Beirut Should Not Be Left Alone...' - Prince Hassan of Jordan

MENA Featured

Rumbling Mount Sinabung on Indonesia’s Sumatra island sends a column of volcanic materials as high as 16,400 feet into the sky (Twitter)

The large volcanic mount Sinabung has erupted in north Sumatra (Twitter)

Flight alert issued as Mount Sinabung erupts in Indonesia (Twitter)

Mount Sinabung, located in North Sumatra, was erupted (Twitter)

Mount Sinabung spews thick ash and smoke into the sky in Karo, North Sumatra (Twitter)

A villager cleans volcanic ash from his roof at Naman Teran village in Karo, North Sumatra, on August 11, 2020 a day after the eruption of Mount Sinabung (background). IVAN DAMANIK / AFP

A man cleans a car covered with ash following an eruption by Mount Sinabung at the Sukatepu village in Karo, North Sumatra, on August 10, 2020. Ivan Damanik / AFP

Farmers work on their farm covered with ash following an eruption by Mount Sinabung at the Sukatepu village in Karo, North Sumatra, on August 10, 2020. Ivan Damanik / AFP

A villager cleans volcanic ash from his plants' leaves at Naman Teran village in Karo, North Sumatra, on August 11, 2020 a day after the eruption of Mount Sinabung (background). IVAN DAMANIK / AFP

A woman rides a camel in November 1945, near Agadir. AFP

Moroccan goumiers (indigenous Moroccan soldiers who served in the French Army) parade on the docks, in October 1945, after disembarking the the French Navy light cruiser Duguay-Trouin in the port of Tangiers. AFP

People and officials, in which Moulay Hassan (L), future king of Morocco Hassan II, attend the ceremonies of commemorations marking the anniversary of the 11 November 1918 armistice, in November 1945, in Rabat, Morocco. AFP

Men load their luggage onto a van, in November 1945 in Agadir, Morocco. AFP

A teacher gives cakes to schoolgirls, in October 1945, in a school in Rabat, Morocco. AFP

Portrait of a young woman who went to fetch water in a wadi, in the Tafilalet region, southern Morocco, in October 1945. AFP

People hold Moroccan flags during a ceremony on the Grand Socco place, in October 1945 in Tangiers, Morocco. AFP

Muslim worshipers slaughter a sheep for the celebrations of the Eid-al-Adha, in November 1945 in Agadir, Morocco. AFP

A Moroccan goumier (indigenous Moroccan soldiers who served in the French Army) looks at a commemmorative plate, under a sign where is written "patrie", aboard the French Navy light cruiser Duguay-Trouin in October 1945, before disembarking in the port of Casablanca. AFP

Musicians play during a ceremony on the Grand Socco place, in October 1945 in Tangiers, Morocco. AFP

Riot police block an area during a protest of opposition supporters after polls closed in Belarus' presidential election, in Minsk on August 9, 2020. Siarhei LESKIEC / AFP

Riot police disperse protesters after polls closed in the presidential election, in Minsk on August 9, 2020. Siarhei LESKIEC / AFP

A woman with girls passes riot police officers guarding an area after polls closed in Belarus' presidential election, in Minsk on August 9, 2020. Sergei GAPON / AFP

Riot police detain a protester after polls closed in the presidential election, in Minsk on August 9, 2020. Siarhei LESKIEC / AFP

Riot police detain a group of demonstrators during a protest after polls closed in Belarus' presidential election, in Minsk on August 9, 2020. Sergei GAPON / AFP

Opposition supporters protest after polls closed in Belarus' presidential election, in Minsk on August 9, 2020. Siarhei LESKIEC / AFP

Demonstrators stand in front of riot police during a protest after polls closed in Belarus' presidential election, in Minsk on August 9, 2020. Sergei GAPON / AFP

Riot police block an area after polls closed in Belarus' presidential election, in Minsk on August 9, 2020. Sergei GAPON / AFP

A Lebanese protester throws a tear-gas canister back at security forces in downtown Beirut on August 8, 2020, following a demonstration against a political leadership they blame for a monster explosion that killed more than 150 people and disfigured the capital Beirut. JOSEPH EID / AFP

A Lebanese protester waves the national flag during clashes in downtown Beirut on August 8, 2020, following a demonstration against a political leadership they blame for a monster explosion that killed more than 150 people and disfigured the capital Beirut. ANWAR AMRO / AFP

A man poses for a picture with a cardboard cut-out of Hassan Nasrallah (L), the head of Lebanon's Shiite Muslim movement Hezbollah, and former Foreign Minister Gibran Bassil hung by Lebanese protesters in downtown Beirut on August 8, 2020, during a demonstration against a political leadership they blame for a monster explosion that killed more than 150 people and disfigured the capital Beirut. AFP

Lebanese protesters hurl rocks towards security forces during clashes in downtown Beirut on August 8, 2020, following a demonstration against a political leadership they blame for a monster explosion that killed more than 150 people and disfigured the capital Beirut. STR / AFP

This picture taken on August 8, 2020 shows an aerial view of the demonstration in downtown Beirut against a political leadership they blame for a monster explosion that killed more than 150 people and disfigured the capital Beirut. AFP

A topless protester wearing a gas mask uses a racket to volley back a tear gas canister during clashes with security forces in downtown Beirut on August 8, 2020, following a demonstration against a political leadership they blame for a monster explosion that killed more than 150 people and disfigured the capital Beirut. PATRICK BAZ / AFP

A Lebanese protester carries a wounded demonstrator away from clashes in downtown Beirut on August 8, 2020, following a demonstration against a political leadership they blame for a monster explosion that killed more than 150 people and disfigured the capital Beirut. JOSEPH EID / AFP

Lebanese protesters watch the flames inside the headquarters of the Lebanese association of banks in downtown Beirut on August 8, 2020, following a demonstration against a political leadership they blame for a monster explosion that killed more than 150 people and disfigured the capital Beirut. ANWAR AMRO / AFP

Lebanese protesters gather in the courtyard of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beirut on August 8, 2020, after they stormed the headquarters as anger exploded over a deadly blast that made hundreds of thousands homeless and shocked the world. STR / AFP

A Lebanese protester hangs a gallows in downtown Beirut on August 8, 2020, following a demonstration against a political leadership they blame for a monster explosion that killed more than 150 people and disfigured the capital Beirut. PATRICK BAZ / AFP

This picture taken on August 8, 2020 shows an aerial view of clashes between demonstrators and security forces, in downtown Beirut on August 8, 2020, following a demonstration against a political leadership they blame for a monster explosion that killed more than 150 people and disfigured the capital Beirut. AFP

Lebanese TV producer Tony Ahwaji sits injured on the balcony of his damaged apartment in the damaged neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael in the Lebanese capital Beirut on August 6, 2020, two days after a massive explosion shook the Lebanese capital. The blast, which appeared to have been caused by a fire igniting 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate left unsecured in a warehouse, was felt as far away as Cyprus, some 150 miles (240 kilometres) to the northwest. The scale of the destruction was such that the Lebanese capital resembled the scene of an earthquake, with thousands of people left homeless and thousands more cramming into overwhelmed hospitals for treatment. Patrick BAZ / AFP

A man sits inside his damaged house in the Lebanese capital Beirut on August 6, 2020, two days after a massive explosion shook the Lebanese capital. The blast, which appeared to have been caused by a fire igniting 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate left unsecured in a warehouse, was felt as far away as Cyprus, some 150 miles (240 kilometres) to the northwest. The scale of the destruction was such that the Lebanese capital resembled the scene of an earthquake, with thousands of people left homeless and thousands more cramming into overwhelmed hospitals for treatment. AFP

A woman sits amidst the rubble in her damaged house in the Lebanese capital Beirut on August 6, 2020, two days after a massive explosion shook the Lebanese capital. The blast, which appeared to have been caused by a fire igniting 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate left unsecured in a warehouse, was felt as far away as Cyprus, some 150 miles (240 kilometres) to the northwest. The scale of the destruction was such that the Lebanese capital resembled the scene of an earthquake, with thousands of people left homeless and thousands more cramming into overwhelmed hospitals for treatment. AFP

A woman sits next to a statue of Virgin Mary in her damaged house in the Lebanese capital Beirut on August 6, 2020, two days after a massive explosion shook the Lebanese capital. The blast, which appeared to have been caused by a fire igniting 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate left unsecured in a warehouse, was felt as far away as Cyprus, some 150 miles (240 kilometres) to the northwest. The scale of the destruction was such that the Lebanese capital resembled the scene of an earthquake, with thousands of people left homeless and thousands more cramming into overwhelmed hospitals for treatment. AFP

A man sits inside his damaged house in the Lebanese capital Beirut on August 6, 2020, two days after a massive explosion shook the Lebanese capital. The blast, which appeared to have been caused by a fire igniting 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate left unsecured in a warehouse, was felt as far away as Cyprus, some 150 miles (240 kilometres) to the northwest. The scale of the destruction was such that the Lebanese capital resembled the scene of an earthquake, with thousands of people left homeless and thousands more cramming into overwhelmed hospitals for treatment. AFP

A man stands in his damaged apartment in the damaged neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael in the Lebanese capital Beirut on August 6, 2020, two days after a massive explosion shook the Lebanese capital. The blast, which appeared to have been caused by a fire igniting 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate left unsecured in a warehouse, was felt as far away as Cyprus, some 150 miles (240 kilometres) to the northwest. The scale of the destruction was such that the Lebanese capital resembled the scene of an earthquake, with thousands of people left homeless and thousands more cramming into overwhelmed hospitals for treatment. PATRICK BAZ / AFP

Lebanese dietitian Lama Mattar sits in her damaged bedroom in the damaged neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael in the Lebanese capital Beirut on August 6, 2020, two days after a massive explosion shook the Lebanese capital. The blast, which appeared to have been caused by a fire igniting 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate left unsecured in a warehouse, was felt as far away as Cyprus, some 150 miles (240 kilometres) to the northwest. The scale of the destruction was such that the Lebanese capital resembled the scene of an earthquake, with thousands of people left homeless and thousands more cramming into overwhelmed hospitals for treatment. PATRICK BAZ / AFP

Rose Ghoulam, 90-years-old, stands in her damaged house in the damaged neighbourhood Gemmayze in the Lebanese capital Beirut on August 6, 2020, two days after a massive explosion shook the Lebanese capital. The blast, which appeared to have been caused by a fire igniting 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate left unsecured in a warehouse, was felt as far away as Cyprus, some 150 miles (240 kilometres) to the northwest. The scale of the destruction was such that the Lebanese capital resembled the scene of an earthquake, with thousands of people left homeless and thousands more cramming into overwhelmed hospitals for treatment. ANWAR AMRO / AFP

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Rumbling Mount Sinabung on Indonesia’s Sumatra island sends a column of volcanic materials as high as 16,400 feet into the sky (Twitter)

The large volcanic mount Sinabung has erupted in north Sumatra (Twitter)

Flight alert issued as Mount Sinabung erupts in Indonesia (Twitter)

Mount Sinabung, located in North Sumatra, was erupted (Twitter)

Mount Sinabung spews thick ash and smoke into the sky in Karo, North Sumatra (Twitter)

A villager cleans volcanic ash from his roof at Naman Teran village in Karo, North Sumatra, on August 11, 2020 a day after the eruption of Mount Sinabung (background). IVAN DAMANIK / AFP

A man cleans a car covered with ash following an eruption by Mount Sinabung at the Sukatepu village in Karo, North Sumatra, on August 10, 2020. Ivan Damanik / AFP

Farmers work on their farm covered with ash following an eruption by Mount Sinabung at the Sukatepu village in Karo, North Sumatra, on August 10, 2020. Ivan Damanik / AFP

A villager cleans volcanic ash from his plants' leaves at Naman Teran village in Karo, North Sumatra, on August 11, 2020 a day after the eruption of Mount Sinabung (background). IVAN DAMANIK / AFP

A woman rides a camel in November 1945, near Agadir. AFP

Moroccan goumiers (indigenous Moroccan soldiers who served in the French Army) parade on the docks, in October 1945, after disembarking the the French Navy light cruiser Duguay-Trouin in the port of Tangiers. AFP

People and officials, in which Moulay Hassan (L), future king of Morocco Hassan II, attend the ceremonies of commemorations marking the anniversary of the 11 November 1918 armistice, in November 1945, in Rabat, Morocco. AFP

Men load their luggage onto a van, in November 1945 in Agadir, Morocco. AFP

A teacher gives cakes to schoolgirls, in October 1945, in a school in Rabat, Morocco. AFP

Portrait of a young woman who went to fetch water in a wadi, in the Tafilalet region, southern Morocco, in October 1945. AFP

People hold Moroccan flags during a ceremony on the Grand Socco place, in October 1945 in Tangiers, Morocco. AFP

Muslim worshipers slaughter a sheep for the celebrations of the Eid-al-Adha, in November 1945 in Agadir, Morocco. AFP

A Moroccan goumier (indigenous Moroccan soldiers who served in the French Army) looks at a commemmorative plate, under a sign where is written "patrie", aboard the French Navy light cruiser Duguay-Trouin in October 1945, before disembarking in the port of Casablanca. AFP

Musicians play during a ceremony on the Grand Socco place, in October 1945 in Tangiers, Morocco. AFP

Musicians play during a ceremony on the Grand Socco place, in October 1945 in Tangiers, Morocco. AFP

Riot police block an area during a protest of opposition supporters after polls closed in Belarus' presidential election, in Minsk on August 9, 2020. Siarhei LESKIEC / AFP

Riot police disperse protesters after polls closed in the presidential election, in Minsk on August 9, 2020. Siarhei LESKIEC / AFP

A woman with girls passes riot police officers guarding an area after polls closed in Belarus' presidential election, in Minsk on August 9, 2020. Sergei GAPON / AFP

Riot police detain a protester after polls closed in the presidential election, in Minsk on August 9, 2020. Siarhei LESKIEC / AFP

Riot police detain a group of demonstrators during a protest after polls closed in Belarus' presidential election, in Minsk on August 9, 2020. Sergei GAPON / AFP

Opposition supporters protest after polls closed in Belarus' presidential election, in Minsk on August 9, 2020. Siarhei LESKIEC / AFP

Opposition supporters protest after polls closed in Belarus' presidential election, in Minsk on August 9, 2020. Siarhei LESKIEC / AFP

Demonstrators stand in front of riot police during a protest after polls closed in Belarus' presidential election, in Minsk on August 9, 2020. Sergei GAPON / AFP

Riot police block an area after polls closed in Belarus' presidential election, in Minsk on August 9, 2020. Sergei GAPON / AFP

A Lebanese protester throws a tear-gas canister back at security forces in downtown Beirut on August 8, 2020, following a demonstration against a political leadership they blame for a monster explosion that killed more than 150 people and disfigured the capital Beirut. JOSEPH EID / AFP

A Lebanese protester waves the national flag during clashes in downtown Beirut on August 8, 2020, following a demonstration against a political leadership they blame for a monster explosion that killed more than 150 people and disfigured the capital Beirut. ANWAR AMRO / AFP

Lebanese protesters hurl rocks towards security forces during clashes in downtown Beirut on August 8, 2020, following a demonstration against a political leadership they blame for a monster explosion that killed more than 150 people and disfigured the capital Beirut. STR / AFP

This picture taken on August 8, 2020 shows an aerial view of the demonstration in downtown Beirut against a political leadership they blame for a monster explosion that killed more than 150 people and disfigured the capital Beirut. AFP

A Lebanese protester carries a wounded demonstrator away from clashes in downtown Beirut on August 8, 2020, following a demonstration against a political leadership they blame for a monster explosion that killed more than 150 people and disfigured the capital Beirut. JOSEPH EID / AFP

Lebanese protesters gather in the courtyard of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beirut on August 8, 2020, after they stormed the headquarters as anger exploded over a deadly blast that made hundreds of thousands homeless and shocked the world. STR / AFP

A Lebanese protester hangs a gallows in downtown Beirut on August 8, 2020, following a demonstration against a political leadership they blame for a monster explosion that killed more than 150 people and disfigured the capital Beirut. PATRICK BAZ / AFP

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