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The Guardian
Middle East correspondent for the Guardian
PROFILE
Martin Chulov
Guest
FROM Martin Chulov
To the Point
US and Allies Carry Out Airstrikes in Syria The Obama Administration is back in the Middle East more deeply than ever. Months of airstrikes in Iraq were followed up overnight by more intense attacks in Syria—some of them backed by Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Martin Chulov is Middle East Correspondent for Britain’s Guardian newspaper; he joins us from Beirut.
To the Point
Islamist Advance in Iraqi Kurdistan Sparks New Humanitarian The jihadist Islamic State that now controls much of Iraq has trapped at least 40,000 members of the Yazidi sect—one of that country’s oldest minorities. Men, women and children have taken refuge on Mount Sinjar, where they face slaughter if they go down and dehydration if they stay where they are. That’s according to Martin Chulov, reporting from Beirut, Lebanon for Britain’s Guardian newspaper.
To the Point
Kerry, Military Advisors and the US's Role in Stopping ISIS in Iraq This weekend the militant Islamic group ISIS captured two major border crossings and 4 cities in the north and west of Iraq. Last week as the insurgency intensified, President Obama offered military advisors to help the struggling Iraqi military, but no boots on the ground. Today Secretary of State John Kerry assured Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki that the US support in Iraq will be “intense and sustained.” After a two-hour meeting with the Prime Minister, Secretary Kerry spoke to the press in Baghdad, repeating calls for the Iraqi leadership to immediately form a more inclusive government. The President may yet order air strikes to help beat back ISIS, which has taken over a large amount of Iraqi territory in a very short time.
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Top Cleric Calls for New Government in Iraq Yesterday, it was President Obama calling for a change of political leadership in Iraq. Today, it’s that country’s top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, in a Friday sermon calling for “an effective government that enjoys broad national support [and] avoids past mistakes." Martin Chulov is Middle East Correspondent for the Guardian .
To the Point
Obama Addresses Iraq, Rules Out Boots on the Ground In Iraq, volunteers are heading to defend the capital today, as the nation's top Shiite leaders used Friday prayers to call on the faithful to take up arms against radical Sunni Muslim insurgents. As the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria continues to move closer to Baghdad, the government says it's deploying more troops. In Washington, President Obama says the US won't send troops – but that he's still weighing "selective military action." He said the US will do its part to help, and to pursue intensive diplomatic efforts across the region, but that ultimately it's up to the Iraqi government to deal with the situation.
Which Way, L.A.?
Does Peace Have a Chance in Syria? The Geneva conference that led to a nuclear deal with Iran last month also established Geneva II. Scheduled for January 22, it would be the first meeting between the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad and rebel forces. With 125,000 dead, one million starving and three million refugees in Syria’s civil war, the goal is a “transition government.” But President Assad says he’ll never step down, rebel forces are so divided they’re fighting among themselves, and all sides are battling to gain advantage on the ground. Is that where the issues finally will be decided? We look at the prospects for a “diplomatic solution” and what’s at stake for Russia, the US and the rest of the Middle East.
To the Point
Does Peace Have a Chance in Syria? The Geneva conference that led to a nuclear deal with Iran last month also established Geneva II. Scheduled for January 22, it would be the first meeting between the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad and rebel forces. With 125,000 dead, one million starving and three million refugees in Syria’s civil war, the goal is a “transition government.” But President Assad says he’ll never step down, rebel forces are so divided they’re fighting among themselves, and all sides are battling to gain advantage on the ground. Is that where the issues finally will be decided? We look at the prospects for a “diplomatic solution” and what’s at stake for Russia, the US and the rest of the Middle East.
To the Point
Does Peace Have a Chance in Syria? The Geneva conference that led to a nuclear deal with Iran last month also established Geneva II . Scheduled for January 22, it would be the first meeting between the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad and rebel forces. With 125,000 dead, one million starving and three million refugees in Syria's civil war, the goal is a "transition government." But President Assad says he'll never step down, rebel forces are so divided they're fighting among themselves, and all sides are battling to gain advantage on the ground. Is that where the issues finally will be decided? We look at the prospects for a "diplomatic solution" and what's at stake for Russia, the US and the rest of the Middle East.
To the Point
Syria Army Captures Key Town in Blow to Rebels Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is claiming a major victory today, as rebel forces have pulled out of Qusair, a town on the border with Lebanon. For three weeks, the attack has been led by the forces of Hezbollah. That's according to Martin Chulov, Middle East correspondent for the Guardian , who joins us from Beirut.
To the Point
Gadhafi Still Defiant, Still in Libya? Libya's Moammar Gadhafi has issued a message from hiding, as forces from the National Transitional Council head towards Bani Walid, one of the last holdouts for Gadhafi's forces. Martin Chulov, Middle East correspondent for The Guardian , joins us from Tripoli.
Which Way, L.A.?
What's Next for Libya and America's Role in Foreign Adventures? Moammar Gadhafi is still at large, but the US, NATO and neighboring countries are already preparing for Libya's next regime. We update action on the ground and in the world of diplomacy.
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What's Next for Libya and America's Role in Foreign Adventures? When last heard from, Moammar Gadhafi threatened a fight to the death. Now, NATO is helping rebels to find him, while his loyalists continue to put up a fight. At a conference in Turkey, the US urged donor nations to unfreeze Libyan assets the rebels need to show they can govern the country. Nobody thinks that will be easy, given religious and tribal differences after 42 years of one-man rule and six months of civil war. Will the Obama "lead from behind" strategy be seen as successful? Has a retreat from Bush-style unilateralism been dictated by America's economic struggles? Photo: Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi walking into a press briefing on February 5, 2011, at the same spot as the banner image above, with the iconic golden fist statue behind him, depicting a fist crushing a US jet fighter after Kadhafi's former residence was bombed in 1986 by US aircraft.
Which Way, L.A.?
Is There a Case for Military Intervention in Libya? As the international media focus on Libya's possible civil war, Moammar Gadhafi is secure in Tripoli. What has astonished one reporter is the perception of residents in the capital city, which she describes as "complete denial" that their leader's government is under any real threat at all. Vivienne Walt arrived for the latest of many visits to Tripoli this past weekend. We speak with Walt and others about the situation in Libya and the case for international military intervention.
To the Point
Gadhafi, the US and the Muslim World A weekend assault by Moammar Gadhafi's forces appears to have divided Libya in half, with a stalemate that could mean prolonged civil war. But nobody seems to know just who the rebels are, where they get their weapons or what they want beyond Gadhafi's ouster. The US is in a tricky position, talking tough and creating international expectations, but lacking a strategy or the support required for intervention. Is a real humanitarian crisis unfolding? Does Gadhafi have what he needs to hold on? Should the US commit military forces in yet another Muslim country?
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Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
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What is Trump's plan for Middle East peace? On his first foreign tour, President Trump has promised "peace" between Israel and the Palestinians. Are there any details for re-starting talks that have been stalled for the past three years?
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Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
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The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?