The Gateway to the East

The new excavation campaigns promoted by Saudi Arabia focus on the human, economic, and social environments that characterised the Arabian Peninsula from the pre-Islamic era to the first centuries of the Hijra. They challenge the stereotype of a uniform desert, populated exclusively by nomadic tribes.

Four months after his resignation, the Patriarch Emeritus shares his reflections and hopes with AsiaNews. The tragedy of the Islamic State and the revocation of the patriarchal decree were the hardest moments. The joy of Pope Francis’s visit, and the days devoted to prayer and writing. “A martyred Church that has much to offer the universal Church”.

While Israel is already in campaign mode for the 27 October elections, the New Path has emerged as an alternative to traditional parties in upcoming Palestinian elections, the first in 20 years, on 28 November. Its leader, Samer Sinjlawi, spoke to AsiaNews about its goals: dialogue and coexistence for a "tired" society.

An Israeli drone killed a school principal in Nabaṭiyya al-Fawqā yesterday. Local residents live in a precarious situation, caught between Netanyahu and Hezbollah. Christian villages say Israeli prime minister’s claim “distorts our position.” At least 12 children have been killed or maimed every day since 2 March, UNICEF reports.

On Sunday, the Israeli cabinet approved a proposal for formal recognition of the genocide, which now goes before the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, for a vote. This has sparked criticism in Turkey and Azerbaijan. For Armenians, it is a political move that reflects current tensions and conflicts. For Kegham Balian, an activist with “Save The ArQ,” Israel’s action is an "insult to the memory" of the 1.5 million murdered by the Ottoman Empire.

Yonatan Ziegen, the son of pacifist Vivian Silver, killed in the Hamas attack on 7 October, talks about his decision to run for the Knesset with Makom Lekulanu in Israel's fall elections. Born from the experience of Standing Together, it intends to fight war and fear with a proposal inspired by hope, and serve as a "political home" to build a “new leadership”.

Attieh Fard, a politician and lawyer who has been in the United Kingdom for years, spoke to AsiaNews about the signing of an agreement that leaves international tensions and critical issues in the country unresolved. Iran’s hardliners could block signing, while the regime could use the moment to strengthen stability and its grip on power. The call for a "free" Iran may still lead to fresh street protests.

The vicar of Arabia spoke to AsiaNews about the uncertainty and fragility caused by the war between Israel (and the United States) and Iran. In the migrant community, their presence is seen as short-term. Setting roots and a stable presence are hard to do. While the truce had given rise to the illusion of a possible return to "normalcy”, Bahrain and Kuwait have been hit again in recent days in new attacks.

While the parties work towards a ceasefire, the pro-Iranian party remains opposed to "direct negotiations" with the Jewish state. Lebanon’s capital is experiencing hours of relative calm, but tensions remain in the south. The Druze House hosts a summit of religious leaders. Among the population, a growing consensus calls for peace with the Israelis and normalisation of relations.

The religious parties want to move up the vote to 15 September before Yom Kippur (and distance themselves from Netanyahu). The Bennett-Lapid alliance is failing in the polls, giving former General Eisenkot a chance to emerge as the top opposition leader. But no one seems to have the numbers to form a majority without the support Arab parties that Jewish parties reportedly want to keep at bay.

The war with Iran has triggered a shift in Riyadh that is not merely geographical. Neom, Yanbu, and Jeddah are no longer just scenic elements of Vision 2030, but strategic infrastructures for survival. Hence, Mohammed bin Salman is trying to avoid all-out war with Iran (which would also jeopardise the Red Sea) in a context where the US is no longer a guarantor of stability.

The Gaza Strip remains in limbo. While the war is not truly over, timid attempts to restore political normalcy have been made amid unresolved contradictions. Fatah held local elections in Deir el-Balah on 25 April, but Hamas maintains local networks. The Board's only funding came thus far from the United Arab Emirates and Morocco, invested on the future local police force. Meanwhile, 80 per cent of families still depend on water distributed by tankers.