Archive: Middle East

Hague suspicious of Syria peace

Britain's foreign secretary has demanded "indisputable signs of change" from the Syrian regime as the UN prepares to send in monitors.

Hague hopeful as pressure on Syria intensifies

Frustrated Hague puts hopes in Syria 'stranglehold'

Hague: We are fully committed to diplomacy in Syria

UK views win-win prospect for Syria diplomacy

A shattered country: The Syrian flag flies after a Damascus protest

Progress could be made against Bashar al-Assad's regime even if it refuses to accept Kofi Annan's six-point plan, UK politicians are hoping.

comments

UK quits Damascus embassy amid Syria violence

UK finally withdraws its embassy staff from Damascus, as violence continues in Homs

Security concerns are forcing Britain to withdraw its diplomatic staff from Syria, William Hague has said.

comments

Comment: Why can't we question the existence of Israel?

Ian Dunt: 'This is evidence of an emotionally unbalanced approach to world affairs'

Lady Tonge has had the whip withdrawn for saying "Israel is not going to be there forever". But why shouldn't we question it?

comments

Frustrated Hague puts hopes in Syria 'stranglehold'

UK will help "tighten an economic and diplomatic stranglehold on the Assad regime"

Britain will help tighten the international "stranglehold" on Bashar al-Assad's regime, William Hague has pledged, as violence continues in Syria.

comments

Rifkind calls for Syrian trade embargo

A man in the rubble of his home in Idlib, Syria

Britain and other western states should bring the Syrian crisis "to a head" by imposing a full economic embargo, former foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind has said.

comments

Everything you need to know about the Arab Spring in 5 minutes

Protestors celebrate the end of President Mubarak in Cairo's Tahrir Square in a defining moment of the Arab Spring

Everything you need to know about the revolutions which continue to shake the Middle East.

comments

Podcast #14: What can be done about the violence in Syria?

No sign of a resolution to the Syria crisis just yet

This story just isn't going away. The killing in Syria has only intensified since I made our podcast about it. But it's become clear that despite much hand-wringing, there is little scope for united action around the world.

comments

Analysis: One year after Libya, Syria is Britain's latest dilemma

Will the west step in to help Syria's embattled civilians?

Last year Britain committed its forces against a brutal regime tyrannising its people. Twelve months later, are we prepared to do it again?

comments

Arab League 'holds key to Syria'

Syria is moving closer to an outright civil war

British diplomats should concentrate their efforts on the Arab League to advance international pressure on Bashar al-Assad's regime, the chair of the Commons' foreign affairs committee has told politics.co.uk.

comments

politics.co.uk podcast: Time to intervene in Syria?

How far is the Foreign Office prepared to go to help Syria's citizens?

Frustrated MPs are becoming increasingly anxious about the situation in Syria - and the need to intervene.

comments

Britain turning back on Assad's 'doomed' regime

Pro-democracy demonstrators have been persecuted by Bashar al-Assad's regime

Britain's ambassador to Syria has been recalled but London is not prepared to break diplomatic links with the Assad regime completely, the foreign secretary has said.

comments

Analysis: What are our options in Syria?

The situation in Syria currently seems to be spiraling out of control, on the brink between uprising and full on civil war.

comments

Bruised UK seeks more Iran sanctions

Britain is calling on European foreign ministers to intensify economic sanctions against Iran, one day after expelling the country's diplomats from the UK.

comments

Analysis: Turkey at new crossroads

An age-old dilemma for Turkey rears its head once again

As Turkish president Abdullah Gul begins a three-day state visit to the UK, the country traditionally at the crossroads between east and west finds itself facing an ancient dilemma once again.

comments

Cameron 'proud' after Gaddafi death

Libyan NTC troops celebrate Muammar Gaddafi's death

David Cameron has spoken of his pride in Britain's role in removing Muammar Gaddafi from power, after confirmation of the renegade leader's violent death.

comments

Comment: Palestine vote will define Britain's role in the Arab Spring

'Foreign policy is always a hotbed of contradiction and hypocrisy'

The UK can seize the moment or take one further step into irrelevance.

comments

Palestine vote shakes British politics

A Palestinian man walks past flags decorating a main round-about in Ramallah yesterday

The Palestinian Authority's attempt to secure statehood is causing deep uncertainty at the top of British politics.

comments

PM in liberator mode on first Libya trip

Fighting continues around Sirte, but leaders are already looking to the next stage in Libya

David Cameron and French president Nicolas Sarkozy is visiting Libya for the first time since Muammar Gaddafi was ousted from Tripoli.

comments

Hague aims for UN resolution on Iran

Iranian government's human rights record addressed by Hague

Britain will seek a resolution at the UN general assembly on human rights condemning Iran, William Hague has pledged.

comments

Blair wants regime change in Iran and Syria

Former prime minister Tony Blair has repeated his concerns about Iran's nuclear ambitions, ahead of the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks this weekend.

comments