Middle East

Bahraini Hunger Striker Speaks of Motives

Activist says her protest was intended to draw attention to authorities’ crackdown and the fate of detained family members.

No Going Back for Syrian Uprising

Regime attempting to bring protesters to their knees but this only seems to make them more determined.

Bahraini Regime Strangling Dissent

Trade union members, journalists and opposition parties are being systematically silenced by the authorities.

Saleh Continues Divide-And-Rule Tactics

Yemeni president keeps up his tried and tested method of weakening dissent.

Reform Has Quelled Jordan's Protests – For Now

Measures taken by king helping manage discontent – but he has to do much more if he wants monarchy to survive.

Iraqi Media Freedoms Under Threat

Bahraini Activist Defies Threats

President of Bahraini group says he will continue to campaign against torture and unfair imprisonment, despite intimidation by the security forces.

Will Assad Concessions Defuse Revolt?

There’s much scepticism over his pledge to remove hated emergency law and introduce other reforms.

Storm Over Iraqi Shia Support for Bahraini Opposition

Iraq’s Sunni politicians and Gulf states express disquiet at the criticism of the Bahrain authorities’ crackdown.

Baghdad - Eight Years After Saddam

Progress has been slow, with the country strill riven by social, economic and security problems.