Editor selections

Editor selections

Interviews Simonnet to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Understand Gulf States’ Concerns Regarding Iran Activities

Simonnet to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Understand Gulf States’ Concerns Regarding Iran Activities

The EU’s envoy to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday conveyed the bloc’s understanding of the concern Gulf States have towards Iranian activity in the region,…

Abdulhadi Habtor (Riyadh)
Features Lebanese Teachers Flee as Financial Crisis Builds

Lebanese Teachers Flee as Financial Crisis Builds

Sorbonne-educated Chryssoula Fayad spent nearly two decades teaching history and geography at Lebanon's elite French schools, ultimately heading departments. …

Asharq Al Awsat
Features Why Did Rome's Conference on Syria Ignore Conditions for Normalization, Reconstruction?

Why Did Rome's Conference on Syria Ignore Conditions for Normalization, Reconstruction?

Representatives of some countries participating in the ministerial meeting on Syria, which was held in Rome a few days ago, were unable to pass two conditions…

Ibrahim Hamidi (London)
Features Episode 5: Clinton Tried to Dissociate Assad from Iraq Bombing by Resuming Negotiations with Israel

Episode 5: Clinton Tried to Dissociate Assad from Iraq Bombing by Resuming Negotiations with Israel

In the second half of 1998, Syria was reassured by its “tutelage” over Lebanon on its western front and was testing secret channels with the new decision-maker…

Ibrahim Hamidi (London)
Features Episode 4: Assad Opened the Border with Iraq, Advised Saddam to ‘Remove The Pretexts’ to Avoid a US Strike

Episode 4: Assad Opened the Border with Iraq, Advised Saddam to ‘Remove The Pretexts’ to Avoid a US Strike

In the second half of 1996, Syrian President Hafez al-Assad’s objective was “to stop the overthrow of the Iraqi regime.” He focused his contacts for this…

Ibrahim Hamidi (London)
Features Episode 3: Chirac Asked Assad to Disarm Hezbollah In Exchange for Maintaining Presence In Lebanon

Episode 3: Chirac Asked Assad to Disarm Hezbollah In Exchange for Maintaining Presence In Lebanon

Asharq Al-Awsat reveals messages exchanged between then-Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and Syrian President Hafez al-Assad in the mid-1990s, which are part of…

Ibrahim Hamidi (London)
Features Episode 2: Saddam Proposed a ‘Secret Summit’ with Assad in 1996 to Confront ‘Israel’s Aggression’ against Lebanon

Episode 2: Saddam Proposed a ‘Secret Summit’ with Assad in 1996 to Confront ‘Israel’s Aggression’ against Lebanon

The first episode of the secret messages between Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and his Syrian counterpart, Hafez al-Assad, focused on the beginning of talks…

Ibrahim Hamidi (London)
Features Episode 1: Hafez al-Assad Cautiously Receives 1st Letter from Saddam, Tests him Before Replying

Episode 1: Hafez al-Assad Cautiously Receives 1st Letter from Saddam, Tests him Before Replying

In the mid-1990s, then-Iraqi President Saddam Hussein initiated two secret communication channels with his Syrian counterpart, Hafez al-Assad. But the latter…

Ibrahim Hamidi (London)
Arab World Lebanese Interior Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Fear Chaos, Further Deterioration of Security

Lebanese Interior Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Fear Chaos, Further Deterioration of Security

The deterioration of security and safety is another concern added to the Lebanese people’s massive financial, economic, social and political problems. …

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Features Alliances, Conspiracies Overshadowed the Letters between Assad, Saddam

Alliances, Conspiracies Overshadowed the Letters between Assad, Saddam

The relationship once shared between the late Syrian and Iraqi leaders, Hafez al-Assad and Saddam Hussein, can be described as both complicated and…

Ibrahim Hamidi (London)
Features US Aims to Discuss ‘Arab Normalization’ with Damascus at Rome Meeting

US Aims to Discuss ‘Arab Normalization’ with Damascus at Rome Meeting

In a surprise move, the United States has expanded the list of countries attending the ministerial level meetings on Syria to be held in Rome on Monday, to…

Ibrahim Hamidi (London)
Arab World Mossad Meetings with Hemedti Stir Anger in Sudan

Mossad Meetings with Hemedti Stir Anger in Sudan

Political sources in Tel Aviv revealed that the Israeli government had received angry messages from Sudan’s head of the Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al…