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This Week in the Middle East: Iran Reminds Us About Its No-Fun Zone, Grand Theft Auto Meets ISIS and the Worst Lebanese Father Ever
We read the news so you don’t have to. Here’s a look at the stories that dominated news headlines this week across the region.
How being happy in Iran will get you 91 lashes
(Photo via Billboard)
Six Iranians arrested for appearing in a video dancing to Pharrell Williams’ song Happy have been sentenced to up to one year in prison and 91 lashes, their lawyer says. Read it on the BBC.
France dropping its own dose of freedom fries on IS in Iraq
(Photo via Business Insider)
French military planes have killed dozens of Islamic State (IS) insurgents west of Mosul. An intelligence source near Mosul told Iraqi media that on Saturday, 75 IS militants were killed in an attack by the French warplanes. Read it on the BBC.
The Lebanese father of the year award goes to…
Spotted this week on imgur. See it bigger.
The militant Islamic “superstar” you’ve never even heard of
(Photo via LA Times)
Counter-terrorism experts describe her as a “superstar” of militant Islam. The Islamic State has offered to trade hostages for Aafia Siddiqui, the wife of a key facilitator of the September 11 terrorist attacks, and a former employee of the Al Qaeda mastermind who planned them. Read the story at the LA Times.
Maybe Grand Theft Auto is the devil’s video game after all
Islamic State (IS) militants have released a jihadist video game trailer in which the aim is to destroy Iraqi and US forces. The game, styling itself as a Grand Theft Auto adaptation, appears specifically aimed at young people.
(Image via NY Times)
Security forces opened fire against unarmed protesters without warning in Yemen. Read it on the Independent.
If Assad’s bombs don’t kill them, then a vaccine mix-up will
(Photo via The Telegraph)
As many as 36 children were reported to have died after receiving tainted measles vaccines under a UN-sponsored program in Syria. The program was suspended amid rumors of sabotage of a high profile international effort to ensure the brutal civil war does not result in an outbreak of measles. Read more on the BBC.
The art of war
(Holiday Gifts, by Fadi Zyada)
The Syrian Campaign, a London-based NGO, did a roundup of 15 works of art that will change the way you see the Syrian conflict. See them all on Buzzfeed.
Saudi Arabia still hates women
(Photo via Human Rights Watch)
In a move that has been described as “a backward step for women’s participation in sport”, Saudi Arabia has failed to include a single woman in the team it’s sending to compete in the 2014 Asian Games. Instead, 199 men will represent the Kingdom. Read it on Human Rights Watch.
How being happy in Iran will get you 91 lashes
(Photo via Billboard)
Six Iranians arrested for appearing in a video dancing to Pharrell Williams’ song Happy have been sentenced to up to one year in prison and 91 lashes, their lawyer says. Read it on the BBC.
France dropping its own dose of freedom fries on IS in Iraq
(Photo via Business Insider)
French military planes have killed dozens of Islamic State (IS) insurgents west of Mosul. An intelligence source near Mosul told Iraqi media that on Saturday, 75 IS militants were killed in an attack by the French warplanes. Read it on the BBC.
The Lebanese father of the year award goes to…
Spotted this week on imgur. See it bigger.
The militant Islamic “superstar” you’ve never even heard of
(Photo via LA Times)
Counter-terrorism experts describe her as a “superstar” of militant Islam. The Islamic State has offered to trade hostages for Aafia Siddiqui, the wife of a key facilitator of the September 11 terrorist attacks, and a former employee of the Al Qaeda mastermind who planned them. Read the story at the LA Times.
Maybe Grand Theft Auto is the devil’s video game after all
Islamic State (IS) militants have released a jihadist video game trailer in which the aim is to destroy Iraqi and US forces. The game, styling itself as a Grand Theft Auto adaptation, appears specifically aimed at young people.
(Image via NY Times)
Security forces opened fire against unarmed protesters without warning in Yemen. Read it on the Independent.
If Assad’s bombs don’t kill them, then a vaccine mix-up will
(Photo via The Telegraph)
As many as 36 children were reported to have died after receiving tainted measles vaccines under a UN-sponsored program in Syria. The program was suspended amid rumors of sabotage of a high profile international effort to ensure the brutal civil war does not result in an outbreak of measles. Read more on the BBC.
The art of war
(Holiday Gifts, by Fadi Zyada)
The Syrian Campaign, a London-based NGO, did a roundup of 15 works of art that will change the way you see the Syrian conflict. See them all on Buzzfeed.
Saudi Arabia still hates women
(Photo via Human Rights Watch)
In a move that has been described as “a backward step for women’s participation in sport”, Saudi Arabia has failed to include a single woman in the team it’s sending to compete in the 2014 Asian Games. Instead, 199 men will represent the Kingdom. Read it on Human Rights Watch.