Biden's early certitude on Israel gives way to the complexities and casualties of a brutal war
President Joe Biden has said the Israel-Palestinian conflict canโt go back to the โstatus quoโ before Hamasโ brutal surprise attack on Oct. 7 and Israelโs devastating response in Gaza.
Qatar becomes a key intermediary in Israel-Hamas war as fate of hostages hangs in the balance
The gas-rich nation of Qatar has become a key intermediary over the fate of more than 200 hostages held by Hamas militants after their unprecedented attack on Israel over two weeks ago.
Report: Qatar spied on Swiss prosecutor, FIFA boss meeting
A Swiss newspaper says a spying operation on behalf of World Cup host Qatar bugged a 2017 hotel meeting between FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Switzerlandโs then-attorney general.
FIFA urges World Cup teams to focus on soccer over politics
Soccer's top officials have urged the 32 teams preparing for the most political World Cup in the modern to focus on the game in Qatar and avoid handing out lessons in morality.
Qatar summons German envoy over World Cup rights criticism
Qatar has summoned the German ambassador over remarks by Germanyโs interior minister, who appeared to criticize the decision to award the World Cup to the Gulf Arab nation because of its human rights record.
Qatar's emir lashes out at criticism ahead of FIFA World Cup
Qatarโs ruling emir has lashed out at criticism of his country over its hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, describing it as an โunprecedented campaignโ targeting the first Arab nation to hold the tournament.
German leader continues Gulf tour with stops in UAE, Qatar
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has planted a tree at a mangrove park in the United Arab Emirates, a token nod to environmentalism during a two-day visit to the Gulf region focused mainly on securing new fossil fuel supplies and forging fresh alliances against Russia.
German leader seeks energy deals, alliances on Gulf trip
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has arrived in Saudi Arabia for the first stop of a two-day, three-country visit aimed at striking new energy deals and forging fresh alliances.
Qatar to boost investment in Spain by $4.9 billion
Qatar has committed to investing 4.7 billion euros ($4.9 billion) in Spain as the European country launches an economic overhaul with its share of European Union pandemic recovery funds.
Ukraine asks Qatar, others to boost energy exports amid war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on energy-rich nations to increase their production of oil and natural gas to counteract the loss of Russian supplies amid sanctions over Moscowโs war on his country.
In opening of Winter Olympics, chances at politicking abound
For all the talk of a diplomatic boycott, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has managed to attract a globe-spanning roster of presidents, royals and other dignitaries to the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.
Austin to governors: Guard troops must get COVID-19 vaccine
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in letters to seven governors, is reaffirming the need for members of their states' Army and Air National Guards to get the mandatory COVID-19 vaccine or lose their Guard status.
White House: No 'gaming the system' on Supreme Court pick
The White House says President Joe Biden will meet with Senate Judiciary Committee leaders on Tuesday to discuss the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court vacancy and the presidentโs promise to nominate a Black woman to the high court.
Biden to meet Qatar leader as Europe energy crisis looms
President Joe Biden on Monday designated Qatar a major non-NATO ally, a largely symbolic honor but one that was meant to convey his administrationโs gratitude for the tiny Persian Gulf nationโs assistance during last yearโs U.S. evacuations in Afghanistan and assistance in ending last yearโs Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, Biden announced the designation during a meeting with the ruling leader of Qatar at the White House on Monday.
Saudi crown prince in 1st visit to Qatar after embargo ended
Saudi Arabiaโs crown prince is in Qatar for the first time since the kingdom rallied other Arab states to end their yearslong rift and embargo on the tiny Persian Gulf country.
Lebanon's president discusses Gulf crisis with Qatar's emir
Lebanonโs president has discussed his countryโs economic meltdown and an unprecedented diplomatic crisis between Beirut and Persian Gulf nations with the Emir of Qatar.
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Easing dispute, UAE announces reopening of borders to Qatar
Al Thani's arrival in the kingdoms ancient desert city of Al-Ula on Tuesday was broadcast live on Saudi TV. Saudi Arabia announced the reopening of its airspace and borders with Qatar earlier this week. National carrier Qatar Airways said it had started to reroute some flights through Saudi airspace, with the first flight cruising over Saudi skies from Doha to Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday night. The four Arab states severed commercial and diplomatic ties with Qatar in 2017, accusing the country of cozying up to Iran and financing extremist groups in the region, charges that Doha denies. The boycott only pushed Qatar closer to Iran, for instance by forcing Qatar Airways to change routes through Iranian skies.
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Gulf Arab leaders sign declaration to ease rift with Qatar
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told reporters after the summit that diplomatic relations would be restored in full with Qatar, although no time frame was given. Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are primarily concerned about Qatarโs ties with Iran. The rift between Abu Dhabi and Doha has been deepest, with the UAE and Qatar at sharp ideological odds. Egyptโs foreign minister also attended the meeting of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, which comprises Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. Qatar's only land border with Saudi Arabia, which it relied on for the import of dairy products, construction materials and other goods, has been mostly closed since June 2017.
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Saudi Arabia to lift Qatar embargo, easing the Gulf crisis
The Saudi border, which Qatar relied on for the import of dairy products, construction materials and other goods, opened briefly during the past three years to allow Qataris into Saudi Arabia to perform the Islamic hajj pilgrimage. The rift between Abu Dhabi and Doha has been deepest, with the UAE and Qatar at sharp ideological odds. This year, Egyptโs president has also been invited to attend the summit of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, which comprises Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. โSaudi Arabia could frame a partial dรฉtente, which allows Qatari civilian planes to fly over Saudi airspace and de-escalates the information war, as proof of โnew thinkingโ in Riyadh,โ Ramani said ahead of the announcement. Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are primarily concerned with Qatar's close ties with regional foe Iran.
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Bahrain's long-serving prime minister dies at age 84
That style would be challenged in the 2011 protests by the islandโs Shiite majority and others, who demonstrated against him over long-running corruption allegations surrounding his rule. Late on Wednesday, Bahrain's state-run news agency initially announced Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa would lead the Council of Ministers, typically the job of the islandโs prime minister. Under an informal arrangement, Sheikh Isa handled the islandโs diplomacy and ceremonial duties while Prince Khalifa ran the government and economy. But while other hard-line members of the Al Khalifa family actively pushed for a confrontation with Shiites, Prince Khalifa maintained contacts with those the government opposed. โKhalifa bin Salman could and did work with both Sunni and Shia, especially through his relations with Bahrainโs business community,โ Diwan said.
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Sheikh Nawaf sworn in as Kuwait's new ruling emir
The new Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, center, performs the constitutional oath at the Kuwaiti National Assembly in Kuwait, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020. Kuwait's Sheikh Nawaf was sworn in Wednesday as the ruling emir of the tiny oil-rich country, propelled to power by the death of his half-brother after a long career in the security services. At age 83, Sheikh Nawaf is not expected to deviate from the diplomatic path charted by his predecessor, the late Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah. Sheikh Nawaf and other mourners sprinkled dirt atop the body as it was finally lowered into the soil. After the ceremony, Sheikh Nawaf, in his flowing robe, strode into a black Mercedes as groups of soldiers delivered a crisp salute.