Oman

January 05, 2021

Gulf Arab leaders signed a declaration Tuesday in Saudi Arabia to mark a new page in relations following the kingdom's decision to end a 3 1/2-year embargo of Qatar, easing a rift that deeply divided regional US security allies and frayed social ties across the interconnected Arabian Peninsula.

Critical State

Illiberalism isn't just rising — it's spreading (Part I)

Inkstick Media

July 07, 2020

Why does there seem to be a global rise in illiberal laws that restrict nongovernmental organizations and civic life? Critical State's Sam Ratner looks at research on how policies that restrict civic life spread.

Conflict

Trump warned Tehran a US attack was imminent, called for talks: Iran

Reuters

June 21, 2019

Iranian officials told Reuters on Friday that Tehran had received a message from US President Donald Trump warning that a US attack on Iran was imminent but saying he was against war and wanted talks on a range of issues.

Nuclear

Things That Go Boom: In nuclear negotiations, diplomacy can be a slog

The World

May 27, 2019

Diplomacy is often awkward, stymied by translators, late nights and unsecured yurt communication (yes, that really happened). But diplomacy can also stop a war, as years of secret and not-so-secret negotiations between the US and Iran proved when the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action was reached in 2015.

Global Politics

There are 28 other monarchies in the world

The World

May 18, 2018

Are you obsessing over Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding? Well, to help you get your royal fix, here's some other information about other royal families.

Development

Vasco da Gama's shipwreck sheds light on the earliest days of Europeans visiting Asia

The World

March 16, 2016

In 1498, Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama made history by becoming the first European to reach Asia by sea, ushering in the world's first episode of globalization. Naval archaeologists have just published their findings into one of his lost ships, providing insights into the earliest days of European imperialism.

Culture

A dream realized: Adventure in Arabian Peninsula's 'Empty Quarter'

The World

February 27, 2015

What is the appeal of this desert sand? "This is the one place that I had desperately wanted to discover as a young girl," writes a former New York Times correspondent during her dusty journey. "It had only taken me 40 years to get here."

Culture

Oman is fusing its traditional culture with modern touches... and pulling in tourists

The World

November 28, 2014

The Sultanate of Oman has always been different than its neighbors in the Persian Gulf. It’s known as a calm, tranquil oasis, and frequent host to high-level secret talks between heads of opposing nations. But the most visible difference is an emphasis on local culture over glitz and glam.

Global Scan

Consumerism knows no bounds when it comes to taste

October 27, 2014

With Halloween coming, there's a great deal of hand-wringing over potentially offensive and racist Halloween costumes. This "Sexy Ebola Nurse' outfit isn't racist, but it probably is offensive. Meanwhile, in China, the country considers dropping counterfeiting from the long list of crimes subject to the death penalty, and a burglar runs into his victim at the bank. Those stories and more in today's Global Scan.

Global Scan

For Americans, Canada is becoming a bargain again

March 21, 2014

The Canadian dollar has been about equal with the US dollar in recent years. But as the US Fed moves to ease up on its stimulus, the loonie is falling. In Russia, 50 years of work still hasn't fully domesticated the wild fox. And an Indian comic takes on the country's widespread use of skin lightening creams, in today's Global Scan.

Oman

Gulf Arab leaders sign declaration with Qatar to ease rift

Illiberalism isn't just rising — it's spreading (Part I)

Trump warned Tehran a US attack was imminent, called for talks: Iran

Things That Go Boom: In nuclear negotiations, diplomacy can be a slog

There are 28 other monarchies in the world

Vasco da Gama's shipwreck sheds light on the earliest days of Europeans visiting Asia

A dream realized: Adventure in Arabian Peninsula's 'Empty Quarter'

Oman is fusing its traditional culture with modern touches... and pulling in tourists

Consumerism knows no bounds when it comes to taste

For Americans, Canada is becoming a bargain again

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