Sunday 22 Dec 2019 | | AW

Top Stories

GCC reconciliation attempts with Qatar face new obstacles

Mohammed Alkhereiji

Turkey’s militarised foreign policy puts Ankara on collision course with Russia

Iranian protesters adopt anthem of their own

Protests usher in transitions but no light at end of tunnel

Iran ties hinder Gulf normalisation with Syria

Interview

Saudi writer Halima Mudhaffar. (Al Arab)

Saudi woman writer sees social change as ‘desperately needed’

Zaki al-Soudeir

Egyptian novelist Hamdi Abu Golayyel. (Al Arab)

Should Arab novels carry political agendas?

Economy

An Iranian carpet seller takes a nap in the old Bazaar in Tehran, last July. (AP)

New budget won’t fix Iran’s economic, social or political problems

Participants attend the Saudi budget Forum in Riyadh, December 10. (AFP)

Riyadh looks to bond markets to manage fiscal shortfall

Technicians fix the electricity power in Salalah, Oman. (AP)

Oman strikes $1 billion privatisation deal with China

Moroccan customers asking for information at the third China Trade Week in Casablanca. (Saad Guerraoui)

Chinese firms looking for lucrative business opportunities in Morocco

Culture

Egyptian novelist Hamdi Abu Golayyel. (Al Arab)

Should Arab novels carry political agendas?

A visitor examines books during the second National Exhibition of the Tunisian Book, December 20. (National Exhibition of the Tunisian Book)

Tunisian book fair bridges gap between publishers, readers

Travel

Sheikh Ahmad Hawili (L) and soprano Ghada Shbeir. (Beirut Chants Festival)

Beirut Christmas carolling comes with a revolutionary twist

Society

Saudi writer Halima Mudhaffar. (Al Arab)

Saudi woman writer sees social change as ‘desperately needed’

Zaki al-Soudeir

Tunisian women protest outside the government headquarters in Tunis, chanting a Chilean feminist song titled “The rapist is you!” (Youssef Abdellah Ben Ammar)

Tunisian women build momentum in fight against sexual violence

Special correspondent

News & Analysis

Jerusalem issue complicates Palestinian elections

Kuwait unveils new cabinet amid protests, royal family infighting

Libya war dramatically escalates as Russia expresses concern over possible Turkish intervention

German parliament calls for full ban of Hezbollah activities

Tunisia marks anniversary of revolution as it grapples with socio-economic woes

Sudanese celebrate first anniversary of uprising that ousted al-Bashir

Algeria’s new president reiterates reform pledges, protesters divided

Hezbollah-backed PM-designate faces backlash from Sunnis

Iraq at ‘crossroads’ as protesters push for overhaul of ruling elite

Libyan diplomats in Cairo break ranks with Sarraj government

Ahmed Fouad Anwar

Egypt watches cautiously as Hamas edges closer towards regional rivals

Fears of terrorism trigger tight security in Egypt as Christians prepare for holiday

Arab Gulf countries seek resolution, not conflict in standoff with Iran

Iran ties hinder Gulf normalisation with Syria

Naming of prime minister-designate adds to Lebanon unrest

Simon Speakman Cordall

Elusive consensus on prime minister makes early Iraqi elections more likely

Azhar Al-Rubaie

International nuclear pact with Iran could collapse in 2020, analysts say

Washington’s policies straining Israel, Jordan ties

Emily Przyborowski

Books

Egyptian novelist Hamdi Abu Golayyel. (Al Arab)

Should Arab novels carry political agendas?

A visitor examines books during the second National Exhibition of the Tunisian Book, December 20. (National Exhibition of the Tunisian Book)

Tunisian book fair bridges gap between publishers, readers