Ben Hubbard
Beirut Bureau Chief for The New York Times. hubbard at nytimes dot com. I don't want no botheration.
مدير مكتب النيويورك تايمز في بيروت
Last synced from Twitter 397d ago
Assad Forces Surge Forward in Syria as U.S. Pulls Back
Syrian government forces streamed into the country’s northeast, filling a vacuum opened up by President Trump’s decision to pull back in Syria.
Pullback Leaves Green Berets Feeling ‘Ashamed,’ and Kurdish Allies Describing ‘Betrayal’
As Turkish forces cross into Kurdish areas of northern Syria, the orders from Washington to U.S. troops are simple: Stand back. Let the Kurds fight for themselves.
Trump’s Abandonment of the Kurds in Syria Has Other Allies Worried
The president’s acquiescence to a Turkish raid in northern Syria alarmed allies for its unpredictability as much as its betrayal.
Militants Backed by Turkey Kill at Least Two Prisoners in Syria
The killings of Kurdish prisoners by Arab rebels raised the specter of wider sectarian warfare as fighting in northwestern Syria escalates.
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Ben Hubbard
Four days into Turkey's Syria incursion, Arab rebels killed two Kurdish prisoners, one shot with his arms tied behind his back.
@realDonaldTrump may have unleashed dangerous sectarian forces by pulling American troops out of the way. With @KaramShoumali
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Turkey Begins Syria Offensive, Targeting U.S.-Backed Kurds
Turkey moved ahead with plans for a military operation in northeastern Syria, which a U.S.-backed Kurdish militia said would cause a “humanitarian catastrophe.”
Turkey Begins Syria Incursion, Targeting Militia Backed by U.S.
Turkey moved ahead with plans to send forces into northeastern Syria, which a U.S.-backed Kurdish militia said would cause a “humanitarian catastrophe.”
A Look at Who Is Affected by Trump’s Shift in Syria
Kurdish fighters in northern Syria partnered with the United States to fight the Islamic State, but may find themselves facing Turkey’s military alone.
Saudi Arabia and Iran Make Quiet Openings to Head Off War
Weeks after the Middle East seemed on the verge of war, Saudi Arabia and Iran are seeking ways to ease tensions. A warming relationship could have far-reaching consequences.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Gave $16 Million to South African Model
Saad Hariri did not make the payments while he was prime minister, South African court records show, but the revelation is likely to tarnish his image.
Top Bodyguard to 2 Saudi Kings Is Shot Dead
Gen. Abdulaziz al-Faghem, who oversaw protection for two Saudi kings, was shot and killed in what the Saudi news media called a personal dispute.
Saudi Prince Accepts Responsibility for Khashoggi Killing, but Denies Involvement
A documentary quotes Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince, as saying he did not know in advance about the death of Jamal Khashoggi, but that it happened “under my watch.”
Attack on Saudi Arabia Tests U.S. Guarantee to Defend Gulf
The American hesitation to take military action may signal a weakening of its commitment to protect the Arab Persian Gulf and could embolden Iran.
Tunisia Votes for a President as It Struggles to Build Democracy
Its economy is lagging and there are threats to its security, but Tunisia still managed to hold a free presidential election. That makes it a regional anomaly.
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Ben Hubbard
In a region full of wars, monarchs, strongmen and sectarian divides, Tunisians peacefully went to the polls for their second free presidential election since 2011.
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The Israel-Iran Shadow War Escalates and Breaks Into the Open
Israel believes Iran is trying to equip its Arab allies with high-tech weapons that could overwhelm Israel’s defenses. It has been taking action to stop it.
Hezbollah Says Drones That Crashed in Beirut Suburbs Came From Israel
The incident added to tensions between the United States and its regional allies on one hand and Iran and the regional forces it back on the other.
Saudi Arabia Chips Away at Oppressive System by Granting Women Travel Rights
Saudi women hailed the new rights as a major step in a long-term social evolution. But they called on the kingdom to allow women to marry, live on their own and exit state facilities like prison without consent from their guardians.
Saudi Arabia Says Women Can Travel Without Male Guardians
The kingdom said that women could get passports, travel and work without the permission of a male guardian.
Saudi Arabia Frees Doctor With U.S. Citizenship After 21 Months
The kingdom never explained why it detained Dr. Walid Fitaihi, a dual Saudi-American citizen, for 21 months, or whether he was charged with a crime.
Where ISIS Ruled in Syria, Fear and Uncertainty Reign
The Islamic State lost control of eastern Syria, but a visit there found cities in shambles, an uncertain future and ISIS still carrying out deadly attacks.
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Ben Hubbard
What remains after the caliphate in Syria?
@ivorprickett and I found:
_ communities in rubble
_ an uncertain political future
_ American allies digging tunnels to battle other American allies
_ mass confusion about U.S. policy
Read (and look) here
169d
What ISIS Did to My Village
As someone who studies the Islamic State for a living, I still struggle to connect images from my past with the reality of today.
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Ben Hubbard
Sad, rich, personal story from @hxhassan, who is not only a scholar of ISIS, but whose home was ravaged by it.
170d