Middle East News
The Daily Signal provides coverage of Israel, Iran, and other regional players, with analysis on how Middle East events impact America’s security and global stability.
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opinion
Michelle Obama Goes Scarfless in Saudi Arabia
First Lady Michelle Obama caused quite a stir when she arrived in Saudi Arabia for the funeral of King Abdullah. As she exited Air Force One, Obama wasn’t wearing the traditional head scarf worn by women in the extremely conservative country. Immediately, Twitter was abuzz. Saudi tweeters criticized her decision, using hashtags like #Michelle_Obama_NotVeiled. Many… -
news
White House Chief of Staff on Netanyahu Visit: Our Relationship With Israel is ‘Deep and Abiding’
White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough evaded a question today on whether he agreed with an unnamed senior American official who told the Haaretz newspaper that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “spat in our face” by accepting an invitation to speak before Congress from House Speaker John Boehner. The official, quoted in the Israeli… -
news
Q&A: What Does Death of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia Mean for the US?
When King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia died on Friday, the loss could be felt in the United States. That’s because Abdullah, 90, who assumed the throne in 2005, had led one of the West’s key strategic allies in the Muslim world. Saudi Arabia is also the world’s largest exporter of oil. The king’s death creates… -
opinion
Netanyahu’s Address to Congress Is a Powerful Antidote to Obama’s Appeasement of Iran
In a bold move, Speaker of the House John Boehner this week invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress in March. In response, the White House has expressed annoyance, saying it was not consulted over the decision. But it is the prerogative of Congress to invite whomever it likes… -
news
Acting Alone, Boehner Invites Netanyahu to Speak to Congress
House Speaker John Boehner has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak before Congress next month. The topic of the Feb. 11 speech will be Iran. Boehner, R-Ohio, told reporters today that he did not consult with the White House before inviting Netanyahu, saying “the Congress can make this decision on its own.” White… -
news
Israeli Soldiers Witness Netanyahu’s Lighting of Hanukkah Candles
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in special company Sunday when he lit candles in celebration of the sixth day of the Jewish observation of Hanukkah and again warned his nation’s enemies. Israel is “being attacked on two fronts simultaneously,” Netanyahu said in remarks to soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces at Latrun. He added: [Israel]… -
news
‘Chickens***’ Slur Doesn’t Faze Israel’s Netanyahu
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fought back at the Obama administration Wednesday, a day after a senior U.S. official was quoted as calling Netanyahu a “chickens— prime minister.” “Netanyahu will continue to uphold the security interests of Israel and the historical rights of the Jewish people in Jerusalem, and no amount of pressure will change… -
news
Geography Lesson for Top Obama Aide: Syria Doesn’t Border Saudi Arabia
Speaking to reporters before President Obama’s Wednesday night address on the terrorist group ISIS, a senior administration official mentioned Saudi Arabia’s “extensive border” with Syria. Trouble is, Saudi Arabia and Syria share no border. The senior Obama administration official, who was not identified by name under well-established rules, was speaking about 6 p.m. on a… -
news
Benjamin Netanyahu: Hamas Violated Cease-Fire With Israel
As violence in Israel and Gaza continues, hope for a break in the conflict was quickly shattered as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas violated the cease-fire. Hamas offered a 24-hour cease-fire beginning at 2 p.m. local time today. But Netanyahu told both “Fox News Sunday” host Chris Wallace and “State of the Union” host Candy Crowley the… -
news
How U.S. Taxpayers Subsidize Fossil Fuels in Russia, Saudi Arabia While Being Penalized at Home
Americans have to pay more for electricity and compete for fewer jobs because of President Obama’s regulatory curbs on fossil fuels at home, even as their tax dollars support expansion of those same energy sources abroad. The Obama administration last month rolled out its most recent brake on fossil fuels, a 645-page proposed rule to…