Qatar

Rise and rise of Qatar in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan

When the US State Department announced that it would host a virtual ministerial meeting on August  30 with “key partners on Afghanistan,” there was an element of surprise in the list of participants. Apart from the US’ NATO and EU allies, there was a solitary non-western partner country — Qatar.  What qualified this peninsular Arab country to be invited to join such a privileged circle of America’s[Read More...]

The road from Kabul to Idlib

The road from Kabul to Idlib Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Libya, and Vietnam are all examples of American attack, destruction and occupation. In each case, the countries were left in devastation, and only Vietnam has survived to rebuild and be restored. The Taliban have won the war, and the US […]

The Saudi-UAE disputes reach a fever pitch

https://www.mideastdiscourse.com/2021/07/31/the-saudi-uae-disputes-reac… Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Disputes have popped up between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the war in Yemen, Syria and OPEC quotas.  There has always been a rivalry, but in recent years the relationship between the two oil-rich nations was seen as warm and friendly.  Now, the friendship […]

Tunisia stands against the Brotherhood

Tunisia stands against the Brotherhood Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The only democracy to emerge from the Arab Spring in 2011 is going through a process of strategic correction. Tunisian President Kais Saied announced late Sunday he was firing the prime minster, Hichem Mechichi, dismissing the parliament, and assuming executive authority under Article 80 […]

Afghanistan War Outcome: Hope for Sovereign Nations Fighting the Scourge of Neocolonial Imperialism

Exits of Netanyahu & Trump: chance to dial down Mideast tensions The Iraqi geopolitical analyst, Ali Fahim, recently said in an interview with The Tehran Times: “The arrival of [newly elected Iranian President] Ebrahim Raisi at the helm of power gives a great moral impetus to the resistance axis.” Further, with new administrations in the […]

Follow the money: Qatar accused in London of funding terrorism

https://www.mideastdiscourse.com/2021/06/08/follow-the-money-qatar-accu… Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator A court case is making its way through the commercial division of the UK High Court in London, which alleges Qatar funneled money to the Al Qaeda affiliate in Syria, Jibhat al-Nusra.  Qatar National Bank and Doha Bank stand accused of facilitating the transactions.  The UK and Qatar […]

“We will kill you, we have prepared killings for infidels.”: ISIS childrens’ vow

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Rola Al-Khatib, a journalist for Al-Hadath, and Al-Arabiya, media outlets from Saudi Arabia, were attacked by children at the Al-Hol camp in north-eastern Syria which houses ISIS families.   The children had been indoctrinated by their mothers to regard any female not wearing a black headscarf and full-length cloak as […]