Iran
The EU imposed new economic sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program. India planned to cut oil imports from Iran next year. China, Iran’s largest customer, planned to maintain its imports.
Author Archives: CJ Radin
Syria
Government forces continued to fire SCUD-type ballistic missiles at rebel positions; they also began using cluster bombs. Residents began to flee Damascus.
Egypt
Demonstrations over Egypt’s new constitution turned violent. Supporters and opponents in Alexandria hurled stones, injuring 58 people. Police fired tear gas and wielded batons to separate the groups.
Syria
Rebels began an offensive to seize a strategic town in Hama province that lies along the main highway between Damascus and Aleppo. Government forces resumed launching SCUD missiles at rebel positions. Fighting subsided at a Palestinian refugee camp near Damascus.
Egypt
Egypt’s chief public prosecutor, appointed by President Morsi and forced to resign earlier this week by opposition protests, retracted his resignation. The controversy further heightens tensions between Muslim Brotherhood groups and the opposition ahead of Egypt’s second round of voting for a new draft constitution.
Iraq
Troops gone, US increasingly sidelined in Iraq
Syria
Syrian rebel infighting could take dangerous turn if Assad falls
Syria
Government forces conducted a broad offensive against rebels in the suburbs of Damascus. The UN estimated there would be 1 million Syrian refugees by mid-2013, and appealed for $1.5 billion in aid.
Egypt
US treads warily as political turmoil in Egypt drags on
Egypt
A top elections official overseeing the referendum on a draft constitution resigned. Islamist groups planned a mass protest ahead of the second round of the referendum this weekend.
Iran
Iran’s president said Western sanctions would not slow down its nuclear program. Iran’s nuclear chief said Iran would not stop enriching uranium to 20 percent. The US resumed efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear program.
Syria
Syrian rebels cut off Bashar al-Assad’s escape route
Syria
After days of heavy fighting, rebel forces took control of the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp south of Damascus. The government massed forces to retake the camp. Large numbers of Palestinian residents fled. Rebels made further gains in central Syria.
Egypt
Opponents resumed protests over a draft constitution. Egypt’s public prosecutor, appointed by President Morsi, resigned.
Syria
Saying neither side could win the conflict, Syria’s vice president called for a negotiated settlement. Both Turkey and Iran put forward plans to end the conflict. The government warned that the rebels may use chemical weapons and blame the attack on the government.
Egypt
Tunisia: Islamists lose popular trust
Tunisia
Tunisians, angry and betrayed, gather two years after uprising
Syria
Iran cautiously tests options in Syria beyond ally Assad
Egypt
Egypt’s judges moved to boycott the second round of voting in the constitutional referendum. Opposition leaders called for protests on Tuesday over alleged polling violations in the first round.
Syria
Jihadis bankroll aid efforts in Syria to win followers
Iran
Iran says oil revenues down by half
Syria
An Islamist rebel faction captured an infantry base in Aleppo. The air force bombed a Palestinian refugee camp. Iran called for a halt to violence. Lebanese Hezbollah leader Nasrallah said rebels in Syria would not emerge as the victors.
Egypt
In the first of two rounds of voting, Egyptians voted in favor of a new constitution pushed by Islamist factions. Egypt’s main opposition coalition alleged vote rigging.
Egypt
Referendum on constitution reveals a deeply divided Egypt
Afghan National Army prepares for overall security responsibility
Al Jazeera provides an update on the Afghan National Army’s preparations for its assumption of full security responsibility.
Syria
Rebel forces made gains in the northern area of Aleppo. Government troops assaulted a rebel-held area southwest of Damascus. US officials said Syrian government forces had loaded dozens of bombs and shells with chemical weapons.
Egypt
Egyptians went to the polls to vote for a new constitution. New Islamist groups are emerging in Alexandria, including Hazemoun, the Third Islamist Current, and the Salafi Front.
Egypt
A guide to what is next for Egypt after the constitutional vote
Palestinian Territories
Hamas staged rallies in the West Bank; finances remain a major issue, however. After the Nov. 21 ceasefire, Gaza has become the quietest in 20 years.
Egypt
As Egypt Prepares To Vote, Only One Side Seems Organized