Middle East

Bahrain: Travel Alert about Violent Demonstrations

Date: January 25th, 2012 |

The U.S. State Department issued a travel alert about the ongoing possibility for violent demonstrations throughout Bahrain. In recent months, all travelers have faced increased scrutiny trying to get into the country and Bahraini officials have denied entry to some U.S. citizens. Traveling within the country can become dangerous without notice, as clashes between security [read more]

Israel: Border Region with Lebanon sees Rockets, Artillery Fire

Date: November 30th, 2011 |

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Tensions are once again high along the Israeli-Lebanese border. Rockets were fired from southern Lebanon into Israel, instigating rounds of artillery shells in response from the Israelis. While the exchange was relatively small considering the history of the region, it marked the end of two years of quiet along the notoriously volatile border region. It [read more]

Bahrain: Travel Alert Regarding Potential Unrest

Date: August 30th, 2011 |

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The U.S. State Department issued a travel alert Aug. 19 regarding the potential for unrest in Bahrain. Despite the withdrawal of Bahrain Defense Force personnel since the lifting of the State of National Safety, the State Department warned of the potential for spontaneous civil and political unrest. Though the airport in Bahrain remains open, U.S. [read more]

Syria: The U.S. State Department Issues Strong Travel Warning

Date: August 11th, 2011 |

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The U.S. State Department urged all citizens to immediately depart from Syria while commercial travel is still available. Citizens who must remain in Syria were advised against all nonessential travel and those who are not yet in Syria have been told to defer all travel plans. The State Department ordered all family members of U.S. [read more]

Israel: Concerns over Possible West Bank Violence

Date: July 5th, 2011 |

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Israel’s military is preparing for an outbreak of violence around the West Bank over the U.N. vote in September on Palestinian recognition as a state. Israeli reservists have been mobilized—a rare step that underscores the severity of the issue. The U.S. is expected to veto any resolution granting Palestine full membership in the U.N., which [read more]

Bahrain: British Embassy Bombed in Recent Display of Disdain for Western Backed Sunni Dynasty

Date: December 10th, 2011 |

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The British Embassy in Bahrain was the target of a small bomb explosion, prompting the Bahraini government to provide additional security to foreign embassies in the country. Earlier this year, Bahrain was swept by a wave of unrest, and the latest bomb attack confirms that tensions remain. Between February and March of this year, the [read more]

Israel/West Bank: Settlement Construction to be Expedited

Date: November 7th, 2011 |

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After the Palestinians gained entry to UNESCO, Israel announced that it was speeding up the construction of settlements in east Jerusalem and the West Bank. Israel has also indicated that it will suspend the transfer of tax funds to the Palestinian Authority, which may seek official entry to more UN agencies after the UNESCO success. [read more]

Israel: Temporary Ceasefire Announced

Date: August 30th, 2011 |

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Following five days of conflict, Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian group that governs the Gaza Strip, were reported to have reached a ceasefire. Tensions have risen steadily since Aug. 18 when a group of Palestinian gunmen shot dead eight Israelis in the Negev desert. Israel pursued the gunmen and also launched a series of retaliatory [read more]

Bahrain: Country still Divided Despite Reform Talks

Date: July 12th, 2011 |

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Bahrain remains deeply divided after months of upheaval and two months of martial law. Talks of reform and opening the political process are beginning, however, as King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa opened a political dialogue July 5, saying all options were on the table. Despite this effort, Shi’ite Muslims—a majority of the population in the [read more]

Yemen: State Department Warns Against Travel to Yemen

Date: June 6th, 2011 |

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The U.S. State Department issued a warning advising against all travel to Yemen because of high terrorist threat levels and civil unrest. Some non-emergency government employees as well as all eligible family members of U.S. government employees have been ordered to leave. Citizens in the country are urged to avoid all protests, even if they [read more]

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