by News Decoder | 18 Oct 2018 | Human Rights, Islam, Middle East
By Alistair Lyon The presumed murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul is an outrage that creates painful dilemmas for the United States and its longstanding but problematic allies Turkey and Saudi Arabia, as well as for Europe....
by Bernd Debusmann Jr | 8 Oct 2018 | Human Rights, Islam, Middle East
A diplomatic spat between Saudi Arabia and Canada may seem childish. But the dispute has important implications for the West — including the United States. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L) and Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland (R) in...
by Paul Spencer Sochaczewski | 4 Sep 2018 | Asia, Middle East
An evangelical Christian whisks four men from a remote Indonesian island to Israel, part of a life-long effort to gather the world’s “lost” Jews. (Photo taken on Kisar island in March 2018 by Paul Spencer Sochaczewski) This is a story of serendipity and of remarkable...
by News Decoder | 25 Jun 2018 | Human Rights, King's Academy, Middle East, Student Posts, Women, Youth Voices
By Muna Matouq New feminist movements like #MeToo and #TimesUp may be shaking up the Western world, but in other countries, women still live without the legal protection the West takes for granted. Jordan is a prime example of this, with one of the worst rankings in...
by News Decoder | 11 Jun 2018 | King's Academy, Middle East, Student Posts, Youth Voices
By Dania Abuhashish (King’s Academy) If you look at me closely, I am trembling and shaking. Three years ago, I would have already been cracking a couple of jokes. It’s surprising how much a person can change; they can go from A to Z just like that. As I grew up...
by Rand Al-Harahsheh | 29 May 2018 | Contest winners, Contests, King's Academy, Middle East, Student Posts, Syria, Youth Voices
When Syrian refugees started flooding into Jordan, citizens in my city were angry and concerned. But with time and investment, tensions have eased. Syrian refugee children at the Za’atari refugee camp near Mafraq, Jordan, 19 March 2014. (EPA/Jamal Nasrallah) This...
by Jonathan Lyons | 22 May 2018 | Islam, Middle East
The victory of a nationalist in Iraq’s elections has hit Iran’s interests and begs the question of whether Tehran’s influence in the Middle East has peaked. Supporters of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr celebrate his election win in Baghdad, Iraq, 14...
by News Decoder | 14 May 2018 | Decoders, Islam, Middle East, United States
This article is part of a News-Decoder series of “decoders” that explain crucial background to big issues. For more decoders, click here. By Alistair Lyon Faith is often flaunted in the Middle East, but there are no angels here. One religiously-based state...
by News Decoder | 3 May 2018 | Asia, China, Middle East
China’s stance towards the Iran nuclear deal is rooted in three concepts: energy, its relationship with the U.S. and the North Korean nuclear issue. Foreign ministers of China, France, Germany, the European Union, Iran, Russia, Britain and the United States...
by Ricardo López | 22 Dec 2017 | Americas, Europe, Middle East, Nationalism, Student Posts, Thacher School, United States, Youth Voices
Democracy and the post-war world order are under siege as populist and nationalist forces gain ground around the world. We must wake up and act. This story was co-winner in the high school division in News-Decoder’s Arch Roberts Jr essay/reporting contest. You...