THE BRIEFING – January 2020
January 2020The turning of the year gives us two occasions to renew our hope for the world. Christmas, the first of these, reminds us that no matter what comes to pass, our hope is secure in Christ. New Year’s Eve, the second of these, is a moment to reflect on the year behind us and look forward to opportunities ahead. Just […]
THE BRIEFING – NOVEMBER 2019
November 2019Lebanon last month joined the wave of unrest that has swept across several countries that were barely affected by the 2011 uprisings. Some commentators are already talking about an “Arab Spring 2.” In reality, the protests are in many ways a continuation of the same anger with authorities and demands for change that we saw in 2011. Sadly, protests in […]
The Middle East Briefing – October 2019
October 2019One conflict has been averted and another ignited. The pace of events in the Middle East over the last 30 days has been rapid. Last month, we saw drone and missile attacks on refineries in Saudi Arabia. Although Yemeni Houthi rebels claimed responsibility, many saw the hand of Iran behind them. Observers worried that this would trigger the long-feared conflict […]
The Middle East Briefing – September 2019
September 2019Tensions between powerful Middle East rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran were catapulted to new levels when drones set two Saudi Arabian oil refineries ablaze (14 September). The resulting damage halved the Gulf kingdom’s oil output and reportedly cut world crude oil supplies by over five per cent. Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility, but the US blamed Iran for the […]
The Middle East Briefing – August 2019
August 2019A religious feast brought a temporary reprieve to conflict-ridden Libya, while political changes and protests dominated its North African neighbours. The region marked one of the two main Islamic holidays this month. Eid al-Adha marks Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, and Muslims celebrate either by slaughtering a lamb and distributing its meat to those in need or by donating […]
The Middle East Briefing – July 2019
July 2019Amidst heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf and political standoffs and transitions from Turkey to North Africa, the cause of persecuted Christians was remembered in Iraq and in a UK Foreign Office report. Sudan remained in the headlines as the first mass demonstrations were held since the massacre at a sit-in protest last month. Protesters again took to the streets […]
The Middle East Briefing – June 2019
June 2019Events in Sudan and the Gulf of Oman dominated headlines this month as the Middle East seemed set for a dangerous summer. Violence overtook months of peaceful protest in Sudan on 3 June. So-called Rapid Support Forces used live ammunition, severe beatings and rape to disperse a sit-in outside army headquarters in Khartoum. Two months before, pro-democracy demonstrators had succeeded […]
The Middle East Briefing – May 2019
May 2019New developments are taking us into some uncharted territories in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Yet the familiar cycles of violence and patterns of control prevail. The plight of Middle Eastern Christians has been highlighted this month by an interim report commissioned by the UK government, which warned that they face being “wiped out” from parts of […]