Middle East

An opinion poll among immigrants from the former Soviet Union ranked Azerbaijan as the country closest to Israel and Aliyev second only to Trump among the world's most friendly leaders. A bond cemented by many factors, including historical reasons but also today's commercial agreements on energy and military cooperation.

Second installment of AsiaNews' reportage in the Gulf countries. From the tourism boom to shows, from sports to entertainment, Saudi Arabia is undergoing a phase of profound transformation. In a delicate balance between tradition and modernity, the new generations are “key” to interpreting the development impressed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the signs of changing times.

With the appointment of a civilian, former ambassador Simon Karam, to the committee monitoring the November 2024 ceasefire, Beirut is breaking free from Tehran. Contacts between Lebanon and Israel continue, although unresolved issues remain, especially on the border. Hezbollah is critical of what it calls a "free gift" to the Jewish state, rejecting disarmament north of the Litani River. The rift between the Party of God and Nabih Berry's Shia Amal movement is widening.

Fr Bashar Fawadleh spoke to AsiaNews about a “fragile" security situation in the West Bank Christian town where life has been “seriously disrupted”. Despite this, the faithful attend services, and the Churches offer “unity and ecumenism”. The desire of some families to flee is offset by the show of faith and resilience of those who choose to stay each day. Yet, hope is seen as “something fragile and profound.”

Among the charges are practising worship and promoting religious activities such as baptisms, communions and Christmas celebrations. At least four of them will have to serve sentences of at least 10 years. Article18 director: ‘Clear signs’ of ‘lack of due process’ in a context of ‘growing repression’.

AsiaNews met the prelate in Awali, at the headquarters of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia, during a reportage in the Gulf countries. There are many challenges for a Church that is ‘growing’, from the catacombs in Saudi Arabia to the repercussions of the war between Israel and Hamas in the region. The solidarity of the population, close to the suffering of the inhabitants of the Strip.

Several graves in the Christian cemetery in Harmota, a village in Koya District, were broken into and headstones smashed. Who carried out the attack and why remain unknown. Anger and indignation are high among the faithful. For Cardinal Sako, such an act is “morally and religiously unacceptable”. Missiles were fired at a gas field in late November.

The surprising welcome of the Lebanese people, whom Leone XIV praised for the “simplicity” of their faith. They recognised him as a “man of God full of zeal and compassion”. Beirut's efforts to make peace with Israel (and the US). A land of encounter between Islam and Christianity, it must also become a pioneer of Christian unity.

For Bishop Palinuro, the presence of Leo XIV has restored "enthusiasm" to a Catholic community that had fallen into a certain torpor. The encounter with Orthodox leaders represented a return "to the origins of our faith," even if challenges remain. The pontiff's simple gestures have lifted “biases" among Muslims. The Vatican and Turkey are equally committed to peace in the Middle East through diplomacy.

“Let us cast off the armor of our ethnic and political divisions, open our religious confessions to mutual encounter,” Leo said to Lebanon’s leaders. For the pontiff, peace must be both the goal and the means. About 150,000 people attended the final Mass on the waterfront. Last night, dinner was held at the nunciature with some Muslim religious leaders.

Silent prayer in front of the monument bearing the names of the more than 200 victims of the 2020 explosion. Kneeling in front of a child with a picture of his father who died in the tragedy. After five years, there are still obstacles to the investigation. The story of Nation Station, a kitchen set up in those days to feed those who had lost everything and which is trying to be a laboratory for the future.

Leo XIV calls for peace and dialogue among religions, meeting with Christian, Muslim, and Druze leaders. Lebanon is a "powerful example" of coexistence despite its economic crisis, political instability, and Israeli attacks. Like Saint John Paul II in 1980, he warned of the risks of its demise. But for some observers, he was even too soft on those undermining the country.