Sami Moubayed, Author at Asia Times

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Photo: Sana / Handout via Reuters

AT Finance, Iran, Middle East, Russia, Syria, Vietnam, World

Damascus throws ‘transition’ up in air by skipping Geneva talks

by Sami Moubayed November 28, 2017February 18, 2020

Saad al-Hariri arrives in downtown Beirut to attend a military parade marking the 74th anniversary of Lebanon's independence on November 22, 2017. Photo: Reuters / Mohamed Azakir

Bahrain, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Middle East, Syria

‘Truce’: Syria, the Saudis and Hariri’s resignation U-turn

by Sami Moubayed November 27, 2017February 18, 2020

A man watches as smoke rises in the distance, in the Damascus suburb of Ghouta, on November 14, 2017. Photo: Reuters / Bassam Khabieh

AT Finance, Iraq, Middle East, Russia, Syria, Vietnam, World

Syrian opposition’s cause likely to hinge on Riyadh and Russia

by Sami Moubayed November 20, 2017February 18, 2020

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri shakes hands with Saudi Arabia's King Salman in Riyadh. This photograph was released by the Saudi Royal Court on November 11, 2017. Photo: Handout via Reuters

Iran, Lebanon, Middle East, World

What are the Saudis really up to with Lebanese ‘hostage’ Hariri?

by Sami Moubayed November 12, 2017February 18, 2020

Saad al-Hariri. Photo: Reuters / Mohamed Azakir

Iran, Lebanon, Middle East, Syria

Win for Hezbollah as Saudi-backed Lebanese premier resigns

by Sami Moubayed November 6, 2017February 18, 2020

Masound Barzani in his younger days. Photo: Korek Kurdistan Iraq

Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Middle East, Syria

Historic moment as ‘Kurdish Mandela’ Barzani stands aside

by Sami Moubayed October 31, 2017February 18, 2020

A Syrian Democratic Forces fighter stands guard in Raqqa, Syria, on October 18, 2017. Photo: Reuters / Erik De Castro

France, Iran, Iraq, Middle East, Russia, Syria, Turkey, United Kingdom, World

Moscow nears ‘mission accomplished’ in Syria

by Sami Moubayed October 23, 2017February 18, 2020

A female Syrian Democratic Forces sniper takes up a position opposite the National Hospital in Raqqa, where Islamic State militants are holed up, on October 16, 2017. Photo: Reuters / Erik De Castro

Iran, Middle East, Russia, Syria, Turkey, World

Syrian endgame is nigh as rival factions look to cut deals

by Sami Moubayed October 17, 2017February 18, 2020

Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani addresses the 72nd UN General Assembly in New York, on September 19, 2017. Photo: Reuters / Shannon Stapleton

Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Middle East, Russia, Syria, Turkey, World

Doha’s downfall: Qatar frozen out in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon

by Sami Moubayed October 10, 2017February 18, 2020

Hadiya Yousef, a Kurdish politician, casts her ballot inside a polling station in Qamishli, Syria, on September 22, 2017. Photo: Reuters / Rodi Said

Iran, Iraq, Middle East, Russia, Syria, Turkey, World

Kurds’ aims in Syria far more likely to succeed than in Iraq

by Sami Moubayed October 3, 2017February 18, 2020

Manal Al-Sharif drives her car in Dubai on October 22, 2013. She is among the Saudi women who defied the country's laws in the fight to be allowed to take to the wheel. Photo: AFP / Marwan Naamani

Australia, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Middle East, Oceania, Syria, World

Freedom of the roads comes after long battle for Saudi women

by Sami Moubayed September 27, 2017February 18, 2020

Kurds show their support for the upcoming independence referendum at a rally in Erbil, Iraq, on September 16, 2017. Photo: Reuters / Azad Lashkari

France, Iran, Iraq, Middle East, Syria, Turkey, United Kingdom, World

Moment of glory? Kurdish referenda in Iraq, Syria explained

by Sami Moubayed September 18, 2017February 18, 2020

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani attends the opening ceremony of the Hamad port in Doha, Qatar, on September 5, 2017. Photo: Qatar News Agency via Reuters

Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Kuwait, Middle East, World

Gulf ‘talks’ turn sour, stirrings of Qatari opposition grow

by Sami Moubayed September 11, 2017February 18, 2020

Syrian midfielder Mardik Mardikian (second from left) is mobbed by his teammates after scoring against Japan during a friendly in Tokyo on June 7, 2017. Photo: AFP

AT Finance, Egypt, European Union, France, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Middle East, Northeast Asia, Russia, Syria, Turkey, World

History, hope, heroes: the story of Syria’s World Cup dream

by Sami Moubayed September 4, 2017February 18, 2020

A girl looks out from a bullet-riddled bus in a rebel-held part of the southern city of Deraa, in Syria, July 9, 2017. Photo: Reuters / Alaa Al-Faqir

China, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East, Russia, South Asia, Syria, Turkey, World

Latest talks see US yield to Russia over southern Syria

by Sami Moubayed September 2, 2017February 18, 2020

Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Middle East, Syria, World

Royal sheikh-up: meet Qatar’s Saudi-backed emir-in-waiting

by Sami Moubayed August 29, 2017February 18, 2020

A boy walks past a sign that reads 'Islamic State in Iraq and Syria' in Raqqa, Syria, August 20, 2017. Photo: Reuters / Zohra Bensemra

France, Kuwait, Middle East, Russia, Syria, Turkey, United Kingdom, World

Ahrar al-Sham demise signals defeat of ‘moderates’ in Syria

by Sami Moubayed August 23, 2017February 18, 2020

Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr speaks during a media conference with Iraqi Defense Minister Arfan al-Hayali and Iraq's Interior Minister Qasim al-Araji (not pictured) in Najaf, Iraq May 3, 2017. Photo: Reuters/Alaa Al-Marjani

Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Middle East, Northeast Asia, Syria, United Kingdom, World

Iraqi Shiite powerbroker gambles with Sunni embrace

by Sami Moubayed August 18, 2017February 18, 2020

People walking past the Damascus International Fair in the Syrian capital countryside. The fair is scheduled to open on August 17 until August 26. Photo: AFP/Louai Beshara

AT Finance, Beijing, China, European Union, France, Germany, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Lebanon, Middle East, Russia, South Asia, Syria, Turkey, United Kingdom, World

Syrian fair to attract a limited crowd

by Sami Moubayed August 14, 2017February 18, 2020

Journalists stand inside a former al Nusra position during a Hezbollah tour in Juroud Arsal, the Syria-Lebanon border, July 29, 2017. Photo: Reuters/Ali Hashisho

Lebanon, Middle East, Syria

Hundreds of jihadis killed in brutal mountain offensive

by Sami Moubayed August 7, 2017February 18, 2020

Ammar al-Hakim, pictured on June 2, 2016. Photo: AFP / Haidar Hamdani

Iran, Iraq, Middle East, Russia, Syria, World

Iraq’s Shiite leaders shrugging off Iran? Don’t bet on it

by Sami Moubayed July 29, 2017February 18, 2020

Syrian girls sit in front of shops in the rebel-held Douma neighbourhood of Damascus, Syria, on July 23, 2017. Photo: Reuters / Bassam Khabieh

Egypt, Middle East, Russia, Syria, Turkey, World

De-conflict deals show Syrian rebels know victory is out of sight

by Sami Moubayed July 24, 2017February 18, 2020

A Free Syrian Army fighter carries his weapon as he walks past damaged buildings in a rebel-held part of the southern city of Deraa, Syria, on July 9, 2017. Photo: Reuters / Alaa Al-Faqir

Israel, Middle East, Russia, Syria, World

With US indifferent, scope of Syria ‘peace talks’ has shrunk

by Sami Moubayed July 19, 2017February 18, 2020

Maryam Mirzakhani gives a press conference after accepting a Fields Medal at the International Congress of Mathematicians in Seoul on August 13, 2014. Photo: AFP

Iran, Iraq, Middle East, World

Iranian genius who rejected hijab is mourned by Tehran

by Sami Moubayed July 18, 2017February 18, 2020

Kurdish fighters from the YPG run across a street in Raqqa, Syria July 3, 2017. Photo: Reuters / Goran Tomasevic

Middle East, Russia, Syria, Turkey, World

New front in Syria as Turks rout Kurds with Putin’s blessing

by Sami Moubayed July 7, 2017February 18, 2020

Indian Shiite Muslim demonstrators burn an effigy of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi during a protest in New Delhi on June 9, 2017. Photo: AFP

Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Middle East, Russia, Syria, World

Military chief could be new commander of ISIS

by Sami Moubayed July 5, 2017February 18, 2020

A man purported to be Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi makes an appearance at a mosque in Mosul, in 2014. Photo: Reuters / social media

Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Middle East, Russia, South Asia, Syria, World

Abu Bakr dead? Unlikely, but if so another ‘caliph’ will emerge

by Sami Moubayed July 4, 2017February 18, 2020

Rebel fighters prepare to fire mortar shells toward forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Quneitra province, bordering the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, on June 24, 2017. Photo: Reuters/Alaa Al-Faqir

Iran, Israel, Jordan, Middle East, Russia, Syria, World

Russia quietly begins building third military base in Syria

by Sami Moubayed June 29, 2017February 18, 2020

A man fishes as the sun sets in Doha, Qatar, June 15, 2017. Photo: Reuters / Naseem Zeitoon

Bahrain, Iran, Middle East, World

How long can Qatar’s economy withstand sanctions?

by Sami Moubayed June 22, 2017February 18, 2020

Iran, Israel, Middle East, Russia, Syria, United Kingdom, World

Bin Salman succession a big gamble for Saudi Arabia

by Sami Moubayed June 22, 2017February 18, 2020

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Author Archives: Sami Moubayed

Damascus throws ‘transition’ up in air by skipping Geneva talks

‘Truce’: Syria, the Saudis and Hariri’s resignation U-turn

Syrian opposition’s cause likely to hinge on Riyadh and Russia

What are the Saudis really up to with Lebanese ‘hostage’ Hariri?

Win for Hezbollah as Saudi-backed Lebanese premier resigns

Historic moment as ‘Kurdish Mandela’ Barzani stands aside

Moscow nears ‘mission accomplished’ in Syria

Syrian endgame is nigh as rival factions look to cut deals

Doha’s downfall: Qatar frozen out in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon

Kurds’ aims in Syria far more likely to succeed than in Iraq

Freedom of the roads comes after long battle for Saudi women

Moment of glory? Kurdish referenda in Iraq, Syria explained

Gulf ‘talks’ turn sour, stirrings of Qatari opposition grow

History, hope, heroes: the story of Syria’s World Cup dream

Latest talks see US yield to Russia over southern Syria

Royal sheikh-up: meet Qatar’s Saudi-backed emir-in-waiting

Ahrar al-Sham demise signals defeat of ‘moderates’ in Syria

Iraqi Shiite powerbroker gambles with Sunni embrace

Syrian fair to attract a limited crowd

Hundreds of jihadis killed in brutal mountain offensive

Iraq’s Shiite leaders shrugging off Iran? Don’t bet on it

De-conflict deals show Syrian rebels know victory is out of sight

With US indifferent, scope of Syria ‘peace talks’ has shrunk

Iranian genius who rejected hijab is mourned by Tehran

New front in Syria as Turks rout Kurds with Putin’s blessing

Military chief could be new commander of ISIS

Abu Bakr dead? Unlikely, but if so another ‘caliph’ will emerge

Russia quietly begins building third military base in Syria

How long can Qatar’s economy withstand sanctions?

Bin Salman succession a big gamble for Saudi Arabia

Support Asia Times

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