Middle East Voices

Middle East Voices is a unique social journalism project powered by Voice of America. The site, as a supplement to VOANews.com, is designed to present news, views and conversation to stimulate dialogue and understanding within, without and across man-made borders. On our platform, among other content, you will finds expert insights and community-submitted viewpoints on pressing political, economic, social and religious issues reshaping the Middle East and our world.

PODCAST: Syria Opens Door to Talks

Middle East Monitor Podcast with Susan Yackee Syria’s FM says his country is open to dialogue with those who want peace (1) Also in today’s show: Winter temperatures and higher than normal snowfall plague Syrian refugees (2) (Interview with Dr. Elizabeth Hoff, World Health Organization in Damascus) Federalist support grows in eastern Libya (3) The international community wants ‘concrete action’ More »

PODCAST: Kerry Readies for First Trip Abroad as US Top Diplomat

Middle East Monitor Podcast with Paul Westpheling The new U.S. secretary of state is to visit the Middle East, but not Israel Also in today’s show: Arab League countries discuss the ongoing conflict in Syria President Morsi calls for new parliamentary elections in Egypt A rare agreement in U.S.-Iranian relations Middle East VoicesMiddle East Voices is a unique social More »

PODCAST: Renewed Fighting Breaks Out in Mali

Middle East Monitor Podcast with Susan Yackee Heavy combat is reported after fresh attacks in Gao, Mali Also in today’s show: Conditions for Mali civilians remain harsh The WFP plans to boost emergency operations in Syria Palestinians rally in support of  prisoners on hunger strike Women fight to have equal status in a future Tunisia Data shows huge groundwater diversions in More »

PODCAST: France Calls for Reconciliation in Mali

Middle East Monitor Podcast with Susan Yackee  A top French official says Mali needs a sense of normalcy Also in today’s show: A call for the United States to take concrete steps on Syria (Interview with Salman Shaikh, Brookings Institution’s Doha Center) The Red Cross sets up an aid distribution base in Damascus (Interview with Rima Kamal, International Committee of More »

PODCAST: Despite Gov’t Steps, Egypt Violence Continues

Middle East Monitor Podcast with Susan Yackee  More clashes are reported in Egypt even after a state of emergency is declared Also in today’s show: The Arab Spring is considered still be a work in progress A look at Egypt women in business in the post-revolution era (Int. with Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO of Women’s World Banking) The More »

PODCAST: Clinton Grilled By Congress Over Benghazi Attack

Middle East Monitor Podcast with Paul Westphaling  US top diplomat takes blame for not preventing the assault Also in today’s show: HRW:  Syrian Fighting Spreads to religious sites Analysis: Netanyahu’s win, what it means? (audio player might not display on all devices)       Middle East VoicesMiddle East Voices is a unique social journalism project powered by Voice of America. The More »

PODCAST: Hostage Drama, Deadly Raid in Algeria

Middle East Monitor Podcast with Susan Yackee  Airstrikes, casualties at an Algerian gas facility (Interview with Richard Cochrane of IHS Jane’s.) Also in today’s show: More than 100 people reported killed in Homs Syria is to receive more international food aid Helping Afghan women gain computer literacy and language skills (audio player might not display on all devices) Middle East VoicesMiddle More »

PODCAST: Violence Spikes in Iraq

Middle East Monitor Podcast with Susan Yackee  Attacks rock Baghdad and northern Iraq (Interview with Daniel Serwer of SAIS at Johns Hopkins) Also in today’s show: Actress Mia Farrow speaks out for Syrian refugees in Lebanon The U.S. calls on Egypt’s Morsi to repudiate remarks against Jews Yemen absorbs  a record number of African refugees and migrants (audio player might not More »

Images of the Week: December 22 – December 28

Egypt dominated the news this week, beginning with the referendum voting for half the country on Saturday. Then the results were announced and President Morsi signed it into law. Diplomatic efforts seem to be increasing to end the war in Syria, with Russia at the center of discussions. But the fighting continues and talk More »

Middle East Monitor: What’s Ahead for Political Players in Syria

-  A look at what the new year might hold for political players in Syria -  Pakistan will hold elections in the next few months … a preview of what might happen and why -  And a look at the tenuous situation in what’s turning out to be a key country in Africa – Mali Middle More »

Images of the Week: December 15 – December 21

The fighting continues in Syria with reports that Scud missiles are being used. Russia seems to be lessening its support for President Assad. Interior Minister Mohammed al-Shaar is taken to Beirut for medical care. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani goes to Germany for treatment of a reported stroke. Protests continue in Egypt over the proposed More »

Middle East Monitor: Demonstrations Turn Violent in Egypt

-  Police use tear gas on Egyptians rallying for and against a new constitution -  NATO chief accuses pro-Assad forces of firing missiles inside Syria -  Britain signs huge military contract with Oman -  Recent comments by Syrian VP raise questions in media Middle East VoicesMiddle East Voices is a unique social journalism project powered by Voice More »

Middle East Monitor: Syrian Conflict Increasingly Sectarian

-  U.N. says the conflict in Syria increasingly becoming Sunni vs. Alawite -  Key U.S. senate leader says Congress shares some blame for Benghazi attack -  Afghan officials meet with militants in Paris for peace talks - U.S. asks for death penalty for American soldier accused of killing Afghan civilians Middle East VoicesMiddle East Voices is a More »

Middle East Monitor Podcast: State Department Faulted in Benghazi Probe

- Investigators say security at U.S. mission in Libya was inadequate - Stroke-stricken Iraqi president to be flown to Germany for treatment - Israeli prime minister defends latest Jerusalem building plans - Peace negotiators plan meetings Thursday with Taliban Middle East VoicesMiddle East Voices is a unique social journalism project powered by Voice of America. The site, More »

Middle East Monitor Podcast: Palestinians Reject New Settlement Plans

-   Latest Israeli settlement plans draw Palestinian ire -   Syrian activists report fighting at Yarmouk Refugee Camp -   Pakistani gunmen kill six polio vaccination workers -   Iraq’s president in critical condition following stroke Middle East VoicesMiddle East Voices is a unique social journalism project powered by Voice of America. The site, as a supplement to VOANews.com, is More »

Middle East Monitor Podcast: US Contractor Attacked in Afghanistan

-  At least one Afghan is dead in a bombing incident. -  A wave of violence in Iraq leaves more than two dozen people dead. -  The United Nations chief condemns the escalation of violence in Syria. -  India and Pakistan ease cross-border travel restrictions. Middle East VoicesMiddle East Voices is a unique social journalism project powered More »

Images of the Week: December 8 – December 14

Events unfolded within Syria this week as well as internationally. Chemical weapons are a concern and could dramatically change the nature of the war there. Also, the U.S. and also the Friends of Syria, in a meeting in Morocco, recognized the Syrian National Coalition as legitimate representatives of the Syrian people. In Egypt, demonstrations More »

Middle East Monitor Podcast: Russia Denies Change in Syria Policy

-  The Russian Foreign Ministry says, despite reports to the contrary, its stance on Syria stays the same. -  The U.S. plans to send two Patriot missile batteries to Turkey. -  The U. N. chief nuclear inspector says some progress has been made in talks with Iran. -  Clashes break out in Egypt between supporters and opponents More »

Middle East Monitor: 100 Nations Bond on Syria

- Reaction to ‘Friends of Syria’ giving recognition to the opposition. - Possible placement of NATO defense batteries in Turkey. - Egyptians take to the streets ahead of constitution vote. - Turkey’s prime minister attacks a popular TV show. Middle East VoicesMiddle East Voices is a unique social journalism project powered by Voice of America. The site, More »

Current Affairs Podcast: Morocco’s Transition, Role in Region

Youssef Amrani, Morocco’s deputy foreign minister, sits down with host Carol Castiel to preview the objectives of scheduled strategic discussions between his country and the United States, which will include talks about Syria, Mali and the Israeli-Palestinian stalemate. Morocco currently hosts a “Friends of Syria” meeting in Marrakesh. J. Peter Pham joins Carol in More »