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Amwaj.media
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Follow @amwajmedia.bsky.social for original insights on Arabian Peninsula states, Iran & Iraq.

https://amwaj.media/

🇮🇶 Contaminated produce in Iraqi #Kurdistan is raising health alarms. Experts blame pesticides, pollution & poor oversight.

Can safety efforts keep up?

@hannahlynch.bsky.social for @amwajmedia.bsky.social
amwaj.media/en/article/w...
Will local solutions reverse pollution in Iraqi Kurdistan’s agriculture?
A silent threat is lurking within the bustling vegetable markets of Iraqi Kurdistan. Public health specialists, including the World Health Organization (WHO), are sounding the alarm that the semi-auto...
amwaj.media
August 1, 2025 at 7:25 AM
NEW: Iranian media say #Israel tried and failed to eliminate the heads of Iran’s three branches of power in the recent war.

This has raised new questions about the level of Israeli penetration of #Iran's security apparatus.

amwaj.media/en/media-mon... @amwajmedia.bsky.social
Deep Dive: Did Israel try to wipe out Iran’s leadership?
The story: Iranian media report that Israel tried and failed to eliminate the heads of Iran’s three branches of power during the recent war. This has raised further questions about the level of Israel...
amwaj.media
July 15, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Exclusive: #Iran given advance notice as US insisted attack on nuclear sites is ‘one-off’

"Reports indicate at least three B-2 bombers flying from the US dropped six 13.6 ton (30,000 lbs) Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs on #Fordow..."

amwaj.media/en/media-mon... @amwajmedia.bsky.social
Exclusive: Iran given advance notice as US insisted attack on nuclear sites is ‘one-off’
The story: US President Donald Trump says three key nuclear facilities in Iran have been “obliterated,” while threatening more strikes “if peace does not come quickly.” This comes as Amwaj.media has l...
amwaj.media
June 22, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Reposted by Amwaj.media
My latest @amwajmedia.bsky.social article is about #Russia's perspective on American-Iranian nuclear talks. This piece quotes Ghoncheh Tazmini, Mark Katz, and Samuel Ramani.

amwaj.media/en/article/h...
How does the Kremlin view Iran-US diplomacy?
The nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, which have taken place in Muscat and Rome under Omani auspices, are “reassuring” to Russia, which has high stakes in the outcome and seeks to cons...
amwaj.media
May 7, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Amwaj.media
A good piece by @amwajmedia.bsky.social on how #Iran's Supreme Leader signals flexibility amid Iran-US nuclear talks. During an address on April 24, Khamenei referred to temporary concessions in Islamic history as serving longer-term goals. amwaj.media/en/media-mon...
Khamenei signals flexibility as Iran intensifies US investment pitch
The story: Iran's supreme leader has moved to placate both critics and supporters of diplomacy with the United States. In doing so, he is notably echoing discourse of “heroic flexibility” which he dep...
amwaj.media
April 28, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Reposted by Amwaj.media
NEW from me for @amwajmedia.bsky.social: The Kurdistan Region’s local football clubs are on the rise with new stadiums & success on bigger stages. Politicians are getting in on the game, using sport to boost their image & influence.
amwaj.media/en/article/h...
April 26, 2025 at 8:58 AM
"Kata'ib Hezbollah’s denial that it is ready to lay down arms suggests any immediate disarmament of Shiite armed groups is unlikely.

It also signals that such actors are positioning for continued “resistance” against US presence in #Iraq"

amwaj.media/en/media-mon...
@amwajmedia.bsky.social
Kata’ib Hezbollah pours cold water on talk of ‘disarmament’ under US pressure
The story: Kata'ib Hezbollah has categorically denied claims that it, alongside other major Iraqi Shiite armed groups, is prepared to disarm. This follows a report by the Reuters news agency alleging ...
amwaj.media
April 24, 2025 at 5:07 PM
NEW: Logistical bottlenecks delay #Iran-US expert-level talks in #Oman.

Originally set for Apr. 23, the meeting will now be held Apr. 26 in parallel with political talks between Iran FM #Araghchi & US envoy #Witkoff

@amwajmedia.bsky.social has the details ⬇️

amwaj.media/en/media-mon...
Scoop: Qatari visit in DC delays Iran-US expert talks
The story: Logistical bottlenecks have postponed expert-level talks between Iran and the US due to take place in Oman, Amwaj.media has learned. A senior delegation led by Iranian Deputy Foreign Minist...
amwaj.media
April 23, 2025 at 11:06 AM
#SaudiArabia's DM @kbsalsaud has become the highest-ranking Saudi official to visit #Iran since ties were restored in 2023—& the 1st to meet #Khamenei in nearly 19 years.

@amwajmedia.bsky.social has the details 👇

amwaj.media/en/media-mon... 🇮🇷🇸🇦
Rare Saudi visit to Tehran ahead of Iran-US talks underscores regional complexities
The story: Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman (KbS) has become the highest-ranking Saudi official to visit Iran since Riyadh and Tehran restored relations in 2023. He is also the first senior Saudi of...
amwaj.media
April 19, 2025 at 5:41 PM
NEW: In a landmark meeting in Doha, #Syria’s President #Sharaa & #Iraq’s PM #Sudani have met for the 1st time since Assad’s fall.

Hosted by #Qatar’s emir, the talks mark a key moment in post-Assad regional landscape.

@amwajmedia.bsky.social has the inside story ⬇️

amwaj.media/en/article/i...
Inside story: Iraqi PM meets Syrian president in groundbreaking encounter in Doha
A carefully orchestrated diplomatic encounter in Doha has brought together Syria’s President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia’ Al-Sudani, their first meeting since the fall of th...
amwaj.media
April 18, 2025 at 12:55 AM
#Iraq faces a looming financial crisis as oil prices hover near $60/barrel amid #Trump’s tariff campaign.

With 90% of state revenue from oil, Baghdad may struggle to fund its hefty public sector salary & pension obligations.

amwaj.media/en/media-mon...
@amwajmedia.bsky.social
Iraq faces crisis as plunging oil prices highlight bloated public sector
The story: Iraq is grappling with a looming financial crisis as global oil prices hover around 60 USD per barrel, driven by US President Donald Trump’s ongoing tariff campaign. With approximately 90% ...
amwaj.media
April 16, 2025 at 10:07 PM
"US sanctions have suffocated #Iran’s economy but failed to curb its nuclear program.

As enrichment rises, western fears grow—but Tehran insists it doesn’t seek nukes and is ready to offer assurances."

Read more: amwaj.media/en/media-mon... @amwajmedia.bsky.social
April 16, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Reposted by Amwaj.media
Scoop from @amwajmedia.bsky.social: In wake of Gaza ceasefire and Iran-Italy prisoner swap, emerging proposal to free Princeton researcher Liz Tsurkov could involve Israel & Iran's allies in Iraq/Lebanon.

amwaj.media/article/excl...
Exclusive: Prospect of Hezbollah-Iraq-Israel prisoner swap opens door to engagement
Almost two years after her abduction by armed allies of Iran in Iraq, there are indications of light at the end of the tunnel for Princeton University researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov. Strictly speaking o...
amwaj.media
January 31, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Reposted by Amwaj.media
My latest @amwajmedia.bsky.social article analyzes the #UAE's cautious approach to post-Assad #Syria. Featuring quotes from Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, Courtney Freer, Neil Quilliam, and Hamdullah Baycar. amwaj.media/article/why-...
Why the UAE approaches the new Syria with caution
The new Syrian administration’s Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani, Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra, and intelligence chief Anas Khattab last week paid their first official visit to the United Arab ...
amwaj.media
January 17, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Reposted by Amwaj.media
One of my more important pieces this year. Writing for @amwajmedia.bsky.social , I explored a decision by the KRG to make it more difficult for journalists and researchers to get the facts about violence against women in the Kurdistan Region. A loss for transparency.
amwaj.media/article/how-...
How reporting on violence against women in Iraqi Kurdistan is getting tougher
Just as people began gathering in Erbil’s Dream City for their final Ramadhan meal one evening in early April, a man shot and killed his estranged wife on a busy road outside the upscale development. ...
amwaj.media
December 19, 2024 at 3:00 PM
Reposted by Amwaj.media
Why #Bahrain is considering future in #BRICS+

My latest @amwajmedia.bsky.social piece, featuring comments from @ryanbohl.bsky.social, Ali Bakir, Abdulla Aljunaid, and Narayanappa Janardhan. amwaj.media/article/cons...
Why Bahrain is considering future in BRICS+
The foreign policy of Bahrain frequently follows in the footsteps of Abu Dhabi’s leadership. As the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become the first Gulf Arab state to accede to the BRICS+ group of cou...
amwaj.media
December 22, 2024 at 9:48 PM
NEW: Khamenei accuses US, Israel and Turkey of orchestrating Assad's overthrow.

Dismissing claims of a weakened ‘Axis of Resistance,’ he asserts the Iran-led alliance will only grow stronger.

amwaj.media/media-monito... @amwajmedia.bsky.social
Some Iranians pitch Taliban-style engagement as Khamenei addresses Syria crisis
The story: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has accused the United States, Israel and a “neighboring state” of having plotted the overthrow of former Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad. This...
amwaj.media
December 13, 2024 at 2:31 AM
Reposted by Amwaj.media
Bijan Khajehpour for @amwajmedia.bsky.social on Syria's accumulated debt to Iran, and the debate in Iran over just how much money the country sunk into supporting Assad: amwaj.media/article/deep...
Deep Dive: Syria’s foreign debt to Iran
In the midst of the dramatic events in Syria, one of the debates that have emerged in Tehran pertains to whether post-Assad Syria will ever repay the debt to Iran that has accumulated over the past 14...
amwaj.media
December 12, 2024 at 2:09 AM
Reposted by Amwaj.media
Our latest piece, co-authored by Mohammed Shabani and me, explores Hezbollah, Iran, and the collapse of Bashar Assad’s regime.

amwaj.media/article/insi...
Inside story: Hezbollah, Iran and the downfall of Assad
The sudden downfall of Bashar Al-Assad has raised a number of questions about the thinking and roles of his supporters. First and foremost, Russia—the most powerful foreign ally of the Syrian governme...
amwaj.media
December 10, 2024 at 9:53 PM
Reposted by Amwaj.media
a must read piece on the dynamics between Hezbollah, Iran, Russia and Assad's final days: amwaj.media/article/insi...
Inside story: Hezbollah, Iran and the downfall of Assad
The sudden downfall of Bashar Al-Assad has raised a number of questions about the thinking and roles of his supporters. First and foremost, Russia—the most powerful foreign ally of the Syrian governme...
amwaj.media
December 10, 2024 at 4:58 AM
"Iraqi Shiite political elites grapple with Assad’s downfall & its impact on regional power dynamics.

Divisions in SCF deepen over Iraq’s stance on Syria’s new Sunni Islamist leaders & Baghdad’s ties with a strained Tehran"

amwaj.media/media-monito... @amwajmedia.bsky.social
Iraq’s fractured elites view Syria with consternation as HTS takes charge
The story: In the wake of former Syrian leader Bashar Al-Assad’s downfall, Iraqi Shiite political elites are now coming to terms with a radical shift in the region’s balance of power. The divergent po...
amwaj.media
December 12, 2024 at 2:55 AM