Events 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 […]
In a region of strong leaders and deep states, this month saw their power being shaken in scenes reminiscent of the “Arab Spring” of 2011. Away from the political fray, Christians journeying to Easter Day look to worship a leader whose power was demonstrated in loving sacrifice. Six Fridays of peaceful mass protests against ailing long-term President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of […]
The first ever visit by a Catholic Pope to the Arabian Peninsula gave an important boost to religious coexistence in the region this month. During a three-day trip to Abu Dhabi (UAE), Pope Francis met with the Crown Prince, took part in a two-day “Conference on Human Fraternity” attended by 600 religious leaders and opinion shapers, and led a mass […]
While calm is beginning to return to parts of the region, the challenges of rebuilding politically, socially and physically are deep. Meanwhile, key regional players like Saudi Arabia and Iran face new political and economic pressures that could restrain their influence. The year began with attempts by US defence staff and international allies to come to terms with President Trump’s […]
As we approach the end of 2018, we take our annual look back over the last twelve months. Two themes stand out: each year since the 2011 Middle East uprisings has seen new shifts of power and a crumbling of the old order, and every year the faithfulness of the region’s Church continued to inspire. One of the most striking […]
It has been a month of high pressure for two major players in the region – with Saudi Arabia facing diplomatic censure and Iran experiencing a new economic squeeze. The Christians of Egypt, meanwhile, were grieving after another terror attack that security forces were unable to prevent. The fallout from the brutal murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi continues. […]
Some of the tensions of the region found a focus this month in the stories of two individuals – a prominent journalist who vanished without trace and a Christian pastor, released after two years of detention. The disappearance of prominent Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, at his country’s consulate in Istanbul, set alarm bells ringing among Saudi allies over the direction […]
The United Nations has urged Syria, Russia and Iran to avoid a “humanitarian catastrophe” in Syria’s Idlib province as Syrian forces and allies are poised for an offensive on the country’s last remaining rebel stronghold. The latest stage in the Syrian war is about to start with an imminent military operation against the rebel held city of Idlib. Over 60 […]
Trade wars and new political tensions this month added to the challenges already faced by a region still blighted by warfare in Yemen and Syria. The nosedive of the Turkish lira that began in April accelerated this month as the US announced 50 per cent and 20 per cent taxes respectively on Turkish steel and aluminium products. Since the start […]
While voters in Turkey conferred sweeping new powers on President Erdogan, populations that feel left behind in Iraq and Morocco are demanding more attention from their political rulers A new chapter has begun in Turkey after President Erdogan won an historic presidential election with more than 52 per cent of the votes. Thanks to an alliance with the Nationalist Movement […]