Of the many rights women are denied in Saudi Arabia, probably the most publicized outside of the kingdom is that Saudi men forbid women to drive cars. Women who get behind the wheel are arrested. Some of their behind-the-wheel protests have gone viral on YouTube and become staples on social media platforms. Some women have More »

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The European Union has decided to impose new sanctions on the inner circle of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, as fresh clashes broke out across the country. European foreign ministers meeting in Brussels say they will impose a travel ban and asset freeze against several members of the president’s administration and family, including his British-born wife, More »

A State Department official says the U.S. is set to release $1.3 billion in annual military aid to Egypt, despite concerns that it is not making sufficient democratic reforms. The official, who declined to be identified, says Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will announce Friday that Washington has decided to waive a legislative requirement making More »

After negotiations with the International Olympic Committee, it appears that Saudi Arabia will send its first female competitors to the London 2012 Olympics in July.  Is this the beginning of a new era or just a token response to outside pressure? Saudi Arabia is one of three nations in the Olympic movements that have not More »

For years now, the authorities in Iran have tried to crack down on the use of satellite dishes, which give Iranians access to foreign channels. The dishes are banned in the Islamic republic. Police officers spend a considerable amount of time searching for them, dismantling them, and confiscating them. (Video of one such “dismantling.”) But it More »

The writer is Ibrahim, a protest organizer from Daraya, Syria. Ibrahim writes here about why some demonstrators have begun to arm themselves in support of the Free Syrian Army. Witness accounts may become more difficult in the near future because, as Ibrahim reports, a week ago  the government shut down the 3G network throughout More »

Among the complexities surrounding the current conflict in Syria, the Iran factor deserves a closer look. Since the beginning of the uprising against the government of President Bashar al-Assad over a year ago, Iran has remained a steady backer of Damascus. There are strong indications that through funding, manpower and weaponry provided by Iran, Assad More »

Bahrain’s ruler says his country has taken significant steps toward reforms in the months since an independent commission looked into allegations of abuse during the government’s crackdown on Arab Spring protesters.   Now, says King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, all that is needed is for these reforms to be put into place.  His remarks  More »

Israeli lawmakers have banned super-skinny models from catwalks, ads, and billboards in an effort to fight the eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Sponsors hope the move will help promote positive body images among both young girls and boys. But will it help? And will other countries follow Israel’s lead? The new law says that More »

Listeners of RFE/RL’s Radio Farda have chosen exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of the late deposed Shah of Iran, as the most important and most influential person of the Iranian year. The selection is the result of an online poll that was timed to coincide with the Persian New Year and included More »

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says the Security Council has sent a “clear” message in approving a non-binding document calling for the Syrian government and opposition to implement a plan to end the country’s bloody conflict. Speaking in Malaysia, Ban said the Security Council called in “unmistakable terms” for an end to all violence and human-rights More »

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should take the opportunity presented by Wednesday’s unanimous U.N. Security Council vote backing moves to end the violence and begin a democratic transition. “To President Assad and his regime, we say, along with the rest of the international community: Take this path. Commit to More »

Concerned about a cyberwar between the United States and Iran? Would you participate?  Share your comments below or express your views via multimedia on Underground Iran. On January 17, 1991, as the 34-nation coalition of Operation Desert Storm prepared for its first aerial bombardment of targets in Iraq, the U.S. military sprung a surprise. Iraqi radar More »

The United Nations Security Council has adopted a statement supporting U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan’s plan to try to end Syria’s year-long unrest. The statement said Syria will face “further steps” if Annan’s six-point peace proposal is rejected. The plan calls for a cease-fire, political dialogue between the government and opposition, and access for humanitarian More »

With the violence in Syria showing little sign of subsiding, Syrian nationals visiting the U.S. are worried about having to return to Syria once their American visas run out. The Obama administration is considering a special protection status for Syrian nationals that would allow them to remain in the U.S. – until it’s safe More »

Syrians of all ages are trying to flee their country to escape the violence there. Reyhanli Refugee Camp in Turkey, just across the Syrian border, is home to more than 3,000 refugees, many of them children. The Turkish government provides the basics – even a school, a playground and some modest toys. At first glance, the More »

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has reiterated calls for an end to the violence in Syria, as the Security Council considers a draft statement backing U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan’s mission to halt the crisis. Speaking at a conference in Jakarta, Ban said the world must take action to address the situation in Syria. “We do not More »

U.S. President Barack Obama has used a message marking the Persian New Year, Nowruz, to call for the lifting of what he called the “electronic curtain” around Iran. In Tuesday’s video message, President Obama said the United States will continue to draw attention to the curtain, describing it as “a barrier that stops the free More »