After Homs massacre, protests erupt on several continents

A wave of protests broke out at Syrian embassies on several continents amid reports of hundreds of deaths in one Syrian city and hours before a possible U.N. Security Council vote on a response to the violent crackdown in the country. Here’s a breakdown of some of the demonstrations Friday and Saturday: (more…)

effort to rebrand ‘Arab Spring’ as ‘Islamic Awakening’ backfires in Iran

It was meant to be a crowning moment in which Iran put its own Islamic stamp on the Arab Spring. More than a thousand young activists were flown here earlier this week (at government expense) for a conference on “the Islamic Awakening,” Tehran’s effort to re-brand the popular Arab uprisings of the past year. (more…)

Over70 Killed 1000 injured in Mayhem at Soccer Match in Egypt

At least 73 people were killed in a brawl between rival groups of soccer fans after a match in the city of Port Said on Wednesday in the bloodiest episode of lawlessness since the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak one year ago. (more…)

Iran Might be The Biggest Loser in the Arab Spring

When Mubarak fell, Iran’s leaders moved out with swagger. They saw one pivotal U.S. ally gone, and perceived an opportunity to exploit unrest to undermine other pro-Western regimes, especially Saudi Arabia. (more…)

Egyptian protesters plan sit-in until army leaves

Egyptian youths camped out on Thursday in Cairo’s Tahrir Square and vowed to stay put until the army hands power to civilians, a day after a mass demonstration marked a year since an uprising which brought down Hosni Mubarak. (more…)

LaHood’s son held in Egypt

Egyptian authorities are barring several U.S. citizens — including Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s son — from leaving the country after Egyptian government forces raided the offices of Washington-backed groups monitoring recent parliamentary elections there. (more…)

What Obama said about the world in the State of the Union

Where in the world did the State of the Union take us? Here are the highlights from what President Obama said about all things international in his prepared remarks Tuesday night:

For the first time in nine years, there are no Americans fighting in Iraq. (more…)

Egypt’s military ruler lifts partially emergency laws

Egypt’s military ruler on Tuesday decreed a partial lifting of the nation’s hated emergency laws, while saying the draconian measures would still apply to crimes committed by “thugs.”

Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi said in a televised address to the nation that the emergency laws would be lifted effective Wednesday (more…)

Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood picks its chief as speaker

Top parties in Egypt’s incoming parliament are picking an Islamist as speaker for the first time.

The Muslim Brotherhood, the big winner in the first election since the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak last February, said Monday it has joined several other parties in backing Saad el-Katatni. He’s the secretary-general of the Brotherhood’s own party. (more…)

IMF delegation in Cairo to negotiate a $3.2 billion loan

A delegation from the International Monetary Fund arrived in Cairo on Monday led by Massoud Ahmed, director of the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia Department, to discuss granting Egypt a loan of US$3.2 billion. (more…)