UNHCR warns of funding shortfall for Syrian refugees

The UN refugee agency yesterday said that one month after the United Nations issued an appeal for $84 million to help Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq, only 20 per cent of the funds had been received. (more…)

Iraqi PM says Turkey is becoming an enemy state

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has said Turkey is becoming an enemy state in the region in a sign of growing tensions between Turkey and Iraq.

Maliki’s harshest remarks so far came at a time when Turkey was hosting two senior Iraqi politicians who are at odds with his government. (more…)

Syria’s ceasefire is just buying time for Assad

After one year and over 10,000 deaths, it’s little surprise that we find ourselves clutching at straws in Syria. But Kofi Annan’s well-intended mediation – including a ceasefire that’s already crumbling, according to Ban Ki-Moon – is unlikely to bear fruit. Syria’s civil war may have passed the point of no return. (more…)

In Gaza, Hamas has not delivered

As enthusiasm for Islamist parties grows in the Arab world questions abound about what shape political Islam will take. Hamas, an offshoot of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood has not set a good example in clean governance in Gaza for others to follow

Casualty of war: on the run from Syria’s violence

WHEN his heart was so hardened that the sight of blood and bodies no longer shocked him, when he could no longer follow his commander’s orders to fire on unarmed civilians, Khaled* ran.

He left his Syrian Armed Forces unit – the 18th division, (more…)

Turkey to search ship possibly carrying weapons to Syria

Turkish authorities are preparing to board and search a German-owned cargo ship reported to be carrying Iranian weapons bound for Syria.

Citing unnamed dissident sources within the Syrian government, the German magazine Der Spiegel first reported last week that the Atlantic Cruiser was carrying Iranian arms (more…)

It is for real… a Lebanese was found in a suitcase

We’ve all joked about climbing into somebody’s suitcase for them to take us on holiday with them.
But one desperate man appears to have taken the idea a step too far.

The 20-year-old Lebanese traveler was found hiding in the jumbo-sized luggage of his companion at the Pazarkule border crossing between Turkey and Greece. (more…)

Iran talks atmosphere “completely different”: diplomat

Istanbul- The atmosphere at the opening session of Saturday’s nuclear talks between six world powers and Iran was “completely different” from that of previous meetings, a diplomat said, describing it as “a good morning”. (more…)

Turkey demands complete withdrawal of Assad’s forces

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s military forces must return to their barracks, says Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, as tanks are spotted on the edge of towns in the country. (more…)

Syrians in Turkey “not going home until the regime falls”

Refugees who have crossed the Turkish border say the shaky ceasefire in Syria has done nothing to convince them that the year-long revolt against President Bashar al-Assad is over.

“The killing in Syria hasn’t even started yet,” says Abdullah Kartan, a teacher who fled to the Reyhanli refugee camp in Turkey. (more…)