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Arab News
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Where did Iran's Arab supporters disappear?
A deathly silence looms over the Arab street, unmoved by the wave of dramatic events in the region. We have not seen demonstrations, protests, or sit-ins in the Arab countries, and in my view, this is the first time in seven decades or more that such displays have vanished. What has befallen Iran is no small matter; its military losses and nuclear facilities are immense — facilities that cost billions of dollars, and much blood and sweat to build. To its ballistic and nuclear losses, we can add the loss of the popular current it had cultivated across the region, from Iraq to Morocco. When the Lebanese government took its bold decision to confiscate Hezbollah's weapons, the response was limited to just a few dozen motorcycles roaming Beirut's streets in protest. So, what happened to the human waves, the millions who once flooded the streets at a mere gesture from the party's leader or from Tehran? The collapse of Iranian influence is clear within Arab regions, like the collapse of Nasserism after its defeat in the 1967 war. It lost the ability to mobilize the street and resorted to relying on its socialist party members and labor unions to attend events after the masses — who once filled the squares with passion and spontaneity in response to radio appeals that dominated people's awareness and emotions for nearly two decades — dwindled. In the wake of that defeat, a sense of shock and betrayal spread across the region, which had been waiting for the liberation of Palestine. People do not admire the defeated Abdulrahman Al-Rashed Iran, too, once enjoyed dominance and popular support in the region, defying attempts to block its ideas and curb its activities. It managed to raise generations of Arabs on its ideas. Tehran opened its doors and arms to extremist Sunnis, including leaders of Al-Qaeda, overlooking their anti-Shiite ideology, and supported most Sunni opposition groups and movements against their governments. It built an organic, deeply coordinated relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood. It organized nearly annual conferences and seminars for Arab nationalists and communists. It spent heavily to woo Arab politicians and intellectuals; books were published, and odes of praise were written in support of the imam's regime and in its defense. Tehran gathered Shiites, Sunnis, and Arab Christians alike — thinkers from the Gulf, Egypt, the Levant, the Maghreb, Sudan, Yemen, and Arab diaspora communities. It climbed onto many Arab media outlets to promote Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's line. At times, we could hardly understand how it managed to reconcile all these contradictions. In Tripoli — a city with tensions against the Shiites of Beirut — there were Sunni groups that, since the 1980s, continued to pledge allegiance to Tehran. In Jordan, among the Muslim Brotherhood, some openly declared their affection for Tehran's leaders. Numerous works emerged in its defense: in Egypt, for example, 'Iran and Political Islam'; in Kuwait, 'Iran and the West: Conflict of Interests'; in the Gulf, conferences were held under the banner of 'rapprochement' between sects, celebrating the history of Abbasid Caliph Al-Nasir Li-Din Allah. All these activities might have been laudable, were it not for the fact that the intentions behind them were not out of love for ending or easing sectarian strife, but rather as part of a political project of domination. Tehran was managing elite and grassroots movements in dozens of Arab cities; protests against novels, films, negotiations, and regimes. But in the recent wars, following the October 2023 attack, the kind of mobilization we were used to in every confrontation faded. The first reason: People do not admire the defeated. The second: The apparatuses that used to orchestrate these gatherings have lost their connections and their resources have dried up. The Arab street venerates the victorious hero until he falls, then replaces him with another hero. Its believers have been shaken by successive defeats, just as Nasserists were shattered by the setbacks of the 1960s. The remaining challenge is to hold on to its supporters within its Shiite popular base; they are the ones most harmed and who still live the trauma of shock. With time, the Shiites of Lebanon will come to realize the truth — that they are victims of Hezbollah and Iran; that it is a burden on them, rather than a support. For four decades they have borne the confrontation with Israel and the consequences of ties with Iran: economic and personal sanctions, the destruction of their areas and neighborhoods, the targeting of their remittances from Africa and the Americas, and more.
South China Morning Post
25-06-2025
- South China Morning Post
Indonesian mum recalls ‘scary' moment son was allegedly hit with bottle in Singapore
A five-year-old Indonesian boy was allegedly struck on the head with a wine bottle by a stranger in Singapore – an incident that has prompted Indonesian media outlets and social media users to question personal safety in the city state, long regarded as one of the world's safest travel destinations. The incident occurred on June 20 in Singapore's Arab Street district, a popular tourist area, as the family was seated outside a coffee shop shortly before attending Friday prayers at the nearby Sultan Mosque. 'From my left side, there was a [man] carrying a glass bottle of wine and immediately hit my child on the head from behind,' said Winda, the boy's mother, who is from Jakarta and asked that her surname not be published. 'It happened very quickly. Then my husband pushed the man until he fell.' The boy began crying and vomiting after the impact, Winda said. Passers-by helped the family and escorted them inside the café while awaiting police assistance. During that time, Winda said the man tried to 'pull a knife out of his bag'. 'I never would have imagined that something this scary would happen,' Winda said. 'A random person who has no reason to hate us can do something so horrible.' Her older son was 'scared and angry' upon witnessing the attack on his brother, Winda said.
New Indian Express
17-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Reshaping West Asia's strategic map
The immediate global concern is for energy and maritime security. Even a limited conflict near the Strait of Hormuz can send oil prices surging, rattle insurance markets and provoke panic. A price rise of $10 per barrel has already been reported. Iran, despite its rhetoric, is unlikely to deliberately disrupt traffic through the strait, as it would be suicidal for its already sanctions-battered economy. Yet, calibrated retaliation, such as using proxies to harass Gulf shipping lanes or launch drone attacks near infrastructure, could be used as capability projection. If this conflict stretches beyond 10 days, global supply chains will feel the tremors. A war of over three weeks could create a full-blown energy crisis, especially for economies such as India and China. In the broader international arena, Russia, China and Turkey all have stakes. Russia, already embroiled in Ukraine, will avoid direct entanglement. China, having recently brokered a thaw between Iran and Saudi Arabia, will push for restraint— more out of economic self-interest than moral calculus. Turkey will try to play both sides, issuing rhetorical support for Palestine while maintaining quiet ties with Israel and NATO. Global multilateral forums remain ill-equipped to manage such rapidly escalating regional wars. For India, the stakes are significant. Its energy security, maritime trade routes and diaspora interests are all in play. Israel has become one of India's closest strategic partners, offering critical intelligence and defence support—including during Operation Sindoor. Iran also remains vital to India's plans for regional connectivity through the Chabahar port and as a counterweight to both Pakistan and China in the western neighbourhood. India must avoid the appearance of passive neutrality, but also refrain from overt alignment—a challenging call. Strategic autonomy remains the main consideration. Backchannel diplomacy, quiet engagement with both Tel Aviv and Tehran, and readiness to protect Indian interests in the Gulf must shape our response. Arab countries find themselves in an awkward position. Violent containment of Iran could be counterproductive in the long run. Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain, signatories to the Abraham Accords, would prefer neutrality. Yet, they would fear public unrest and a possible spillover of conflict onto their own territories. Egypt and Jordan will worry about public reaction more than state-level consequences. Overall, the Arab Street, although insufficiently supportive of the Palestinian cause, would find itself struggling for choice. What follows now is uncertain. Iran has chosen to target Israeli urban centres, which has invited a similar response from Israel. I anticipate a subsequent Iranian drawdown, similar to the one after Soleimani's assassination. The conflict could also drag into a prolonged suicidal exchange. However, its effects will definitely go far beyond redrawing the regional security map. The world may be witnessing just another episode in the Iran-Israel hostility, but the shaping of a new West Asian balance of power could also be on the cards. Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd) is the former Commander, Srinagar-based 15 Corps; Chancellor, Central University of Kashmir (Views are personal) (atahasnain@
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Burgs is back: Juicy burgers & bold flavours at new Arab Street home
Burgs, a pioneer of affordable halal gourmet burgers in Singapore, boasts a new standalone outlet with a bigger, bolder menu than before. After a year-long hiatus, they're back at a 2-storey, 100-seater eatery along 16 Bussorah Street in the heart of Singapore's Arab Street. Did you know? Burgs was born in 2017 at a hawker stall in Golden Mile Food Centre. Proudly homegrown, all their ingredients are freshly prepped in-house daily for the freshest, juiciest burger experience. What's new at Burgs is their improved signature burger sauce, which features a caramelised onion puree infused with the rich aroma of chicken skin. This base is elevated by a gentle kick of heat from homemade pickled green chillis — a uniquely Singaporean spin on the classic relish. All their burger patties are nestled between the same brioche buns, freshly baked with Danish butter and slow-proofed for the perfect pillowy, slightly sweet base. Burgs newbies have to try The Original (S$11.90), stacked with their iconic smoky and juice-filled beef patty grilled to perfection. Paired with signature sauce, American cheese and pickled green chillies, this is an all-time-fav combination that can't go wrong. This one's for the fried chicken enthusiasts. The Big Bird (S$11.90) delivers crispy, golden chicken layered with a refreshing crunch of iceberg lettuce. Seafood fans can opt for the Fish & Chips Burger ($13.90), where battered fish meets iceberg lettuce, creamy American cheese, and a smoky tartar sauce. No meal is complete without its sides and drinks, and the selection at Burgs makes sure of it. Their Nuggies (S$4.80/6.30/12 for 6/9/20 pieces) are made from real chicken chunks and come in 2 flavours: Original and Spicy Seaweed. They've also got a selection of Fries (S$4.90), Burgs' Sig Fries (S$5.90) and Onion Rings (S$4.90) that you can dip in their range of handmade sauces like Curry and Spicy Kicap Manis. Burgs has a standout selection of drinks to wash all that grease down, headlined by their Homemade Black Lemonade (S$4.90) — a zesty, refreshing lemonade with a dramatic twist of an inky charcoal hue. By the way, each burger can be upgraded to a meal for just $3.90 more! As part of their opening special and in conjunction with International Burger Day on 28 May, you can enjoy 50% off your second burger with the purchase of any Burgs burger at full price. Burgs is back, and they're ready to dominate the burger scene in Singapore once again. 15 best burgers in Singapore so good, you won't stop at just bun The post Burgs is back: Juicy burgers & bold flavours at new Arab Street home appeared first on
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Netanyahu vows to restart Gaza war
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would resume the war in Gaza after a temporary pause in hostilities comes to an end. A six-week truce was agreed last month, but at a press conference with US President Donald Trump, Netanyahu reiterated his longstanding demand for total victory, saying 'Hamas will continue the battle to destroy Israel.' The peace process has been thrown into turmoil by Trump's recent suggestion that the US could 'take over' Gaza, two Middle East analysts wrote for Semafor. The comment was 'widely understood on the Arab Street… as endorsing ethnic cleansing,' said Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas. But, Al Arabiya's Hadley Gamble wrote, it threw down a gauntlet to Arab states: 'Trump is telling the Middle East to take care of its own problems.'
