Lima Charlie News reports on the latest stories from the Middle East | North Africa (MENA).
![Image Saudi women granted driver's licenses still have a long road ahead [Lima Charlie News]](https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.189/75b.db6.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Saudi-women-granted-drivers-licenses-still-have-a-long-road-ahead-Lima-Charlie-News.png?time=1638337430)
Saudi Arabia stepped into the 20th century this week by granting ten women driver’s licenses, with 2,000 more expected. But what does reality really look like in the Kingdom when the rubber meets the road? Exciting things are happening in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.… Keep Reading
![Image Jordan's austerity unrest: thousands of protesters push out Prime Minister [Lima Charlie News][Photo: Lima Charlie News]](https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.189/75b.db6.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Jordans-austerity-unrest-thousands-of-protesters-push-out-Prime-Minister-Lima-Charlie-News-480x320.png)
In the largest series of protests since the Arab Spring, thousands of Jordanians took to the streets to protest IMF backed austerity measures leading to the resignation of Jordan’s Prime Minister. A staunch ally of the United States, Jordan has suffered for years under rising… Keep Reading
![Image Erdogan struggles amid Turkey's currency and debt crisis [Lima Charlie News]](https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.189/75b.db6.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Turkey-lira-01-480x320.png)
Turkey’s central bank is ending a prolonged period of high inflation rates and citizens have tried to offload Turkey’s lira for foreign currencies. With presidential elections this month, Turkey will have an opportunity to render a verdict on President Erdogan’s stewardship. The financial crisis in… Keep Reading
![Image Marketing to Islam - Does the holy month of Ramadan affect economic growth? [Lima Charlie News][Photo: Anniesa collection]](https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.189/75b.db6.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Marketing-to-Islam-Does-the-holy-month-of-Ramadan-affect-economic-growth-480x320.png)
Islam-related commerce is on a sharp rise throughout the world, at a growth rate twice that of the baseline global economy. Does observing the holiest month of Islam, Ramadan, a sacred duty that any true believer must adhere to, adversely impact the productivity of the… Keep Reading
![Image Iraq elections empower ex-militia leader Muqtada al-Sadr, once referred to as 'The Most Dangerous Man in Iraq' [Lima Charlie News] [Image: Reuters / Habi Mizban]](https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.189/75b.db6.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/611134462-480x320.jpg)
On May 12th, Iraqis headed to the polls for the first time since the fall of ISIS. These parliamentary elections resulted in victory for the party of Muqtada al-Sadr, a Shia cleric hostile to the U.S. and Iran, once referred to as “The Most Dangerous Man… Keep Reading
![Image Taliban spring offensive begins, as insurgents attack across Afghanistan [Lima Charlie News][Image: Al Jazeera]](https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.189/75b.db6.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Taliban-spring-offensive-begins-as-insurgents-attack-across-Afghanistan-Lima-Charlie-NewsImage-Al-Jazeera-480x320.jpg)
As the Taliban spring offensive begins, a large scale, multi-prong attack left at least 15 dead as the country prepares for its third democratic parliamentary election. At least 15 were left dead after insurgents carried out a three prong attack Wednesday. Two of the attacks… Keep Reading
![Image Israel - Iran tensions rise after U.S. announces withdrawal from Iran Deal [Lima Charlie News]](https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.189/75b.db6.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Israel-Iran-tensions-rise-after-U.S.-announces-withdrawal-from-Iran-Deal-480x320.jpg)
Iran and Israel engage in a series of attacks after the U.S. announcement to withdraw from the Iran Deal, increasing tensions in the region. At midnight on May 10th, 20 rocket projectiles struck Israel Defense Forces (IDF) positions in the disputed territory of the Golan Heights,… Keep Reading
![Image The Killing of Osama Bin Laden. Is there a Doctor in the House? [Lima Charlie News]](https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.189/75b.db6.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/The-Killing-of-Osama-Bin-Laden.-Is-there-a-Doctor-in-the-House-480x319.png)
One of the most significant tactical successes in the Global War on Terror was Operation Neptune Spear, a CIA-led operation to kill the Jihadist leader and idol Osama bin Laden. But what about the doctor who made it possible, then paid for it with his… Keep Reading
![Image Erdogan's high wire act keeps Turkey's economy spinning, for now [Lima Charlie News]](https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.189/75b.db6.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Screen-Shot-2018-05-04-at-5.22.24-PM-480x320.png)
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is fairly popular, his political opponents have been crushed in an ongoing purge, and Turkey’s economy has been growing by leaps and bounds. But the economy is showing cracks, and Erdogan has moved elections forward by 18 months to cash… Keep Reading
![Image Saudis push OPEC, Russia to raise oil prices [Lima Charlie News]](https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.189/75b.db6.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Saudis-push-OPEC-Russia-to-raise-oil-prices-480x319.png)
Oil prices have continued to surge, setting new records, after multiple indicators that Saudi Arabia wants to push prices to $100 per barrel in the coming months. This in turn could lead to a new crisis on the fragile worldwide energy market. Having learned a… Keep Reading
![Image The world has no option but to let Assad stay where he is ... for now [Lima Charlie News]](https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.189/75b.db6.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-world-has-no-option-but-to-let-Assad-stay-where-he-is-...-for-the-time-being-480x320.png)
After the alleged chemical attack on the Syrian city of Douma, a coalition consisting of France, the UK and the US launched a large scale attack against Bashar al-Assad’s chemical warfare capability. If the coalition’s intent was to inconvenience the Syrian government and do some… Keep Reading
![Image Iran joins Russia in banning messaging app [Lima Charlie News]](https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.189/75b.db6.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Iran-joins-Russia-in-banning-messaging-app-480x319.png)
Iran’s highest leader announced that the government will institute a nationwide ban against Telegram, the popular encrypted messaging app, following in the footsteps of Russia. Iran’s highest leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, announced that his government will institute a nationwide ban against Telegram, the popular encrypted messaging… Keep Reading
![Image Pakistan Supreme Court appears to be running the country [Lima Charlie News][Graphic: James Fox]](https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.189/75b.db6.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Pakistan-Supreme-Court-appears-to-be-running-the-country-Lima-Charlie-News-480x320.png)
After a spat with the ruling Islamist party, the Pakistani military has empowered the Judiciary to take over more of the day to day running of the country. Earlier this month, ambassadors from Saudi Arabia, China, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) held a succession… Keep Reading
![Image The French in Syria - a long and tortured history [Lima Charlie News]](https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.189/75b.db6.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-French-in-Syria-a-long-and-tortured-history-480x319.png)
France has taken the position that it is a humanitarian force, eager to bomb Syria for using chemical weapons and to promote regime change. Yet something’s not quite right with this picture. General Patton once famously declared, “I would rather have a German division in… Keep Reading
![Image Macron ignores domestic pressure, attempts take the lead of Western diplomacy in Syria [Lima Charlie News][Image: Reuters / Stephane Mahe](https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.189/75b.db6.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2018_04_08_43616_1523165065._large-1-480x320.jpg)
Following Saturday’s attack on Syria, French President Emmanuel Macron moved to position himself as the head of Western diplomatic efforts to end the Syrian conflict. In spite of his show of strength, he is facing significant domestic concerns. Unlike Prime Minister Theresa May in the UK… Keep Reading
![Image Fight for influence in East Africa turns ugly as foreign powers demand more of a return on investment [Lima Charlie News][Image: Ahmed Jadallah/Reuters]](https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.189/75b.db6.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Fight-for-influence-in-East-Africa-turns-ugly-as-foreign-powers-demand-more-of-a-return-on-investment-480x319.png)
In economically destitute Somalia, a little money goes a long way. Since the country collapsed, local politicians have leaned on foreign support. However, as East African markets have become more lucrative, foreign powers including the UAE, China, Turkey and Saudi Arabia are demanding more of… Keep Reading
