Middle East - The Japan Times

Commentary / World May 9, 2018

Decertifying the Iran deal is dangerous

by Alon Ben-Meir

Donald Trump's unilateral move could have dire regional and international implications.

Commentary / World May 9, 2018

Why killing the nuclear pact was only the first step

by Zev Chafets

Netanyahu sees Trump as a partner for broader regional change.

National / Politics May 3, 2018

Abe shows indirect support for U.S. on Middle East trip

As the situation surrounding North Korea is changing at a rapid pace, Abe needed to be seen boosting Washington’s efforts by mediating between Israel and the Palestinians, one source indicated.

World May 1, 2018

Netanyahu's claims regarding Iran nukes fails to convince deal proponents

Israel began sharing an intelligence trove on Iran's alleged nuclear ambitions Tuesday, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced accusations his televised unveiling lacked evidence a 2015 accord had been violated. The IAEA, the United Nations' atomic watchdog, said it would evaluate any new relevant information, ...

National / Politics Apr 30, 2018

Four Mideast ministers meet in Jordan to discuss Japanese economic initiative

Ministers from Japan, Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan met in the Jordanian city of Madaba on Sunday to discuss a Japanese economic development initiative for Middle East peace. The meeting provided a rare opportunity for Israeli and Palestinian officials to get together at a ...

National / Politics Apr 29, 2018

Abe departs on five-nation Mideast tour to focus on energy, regional peace

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday left for a five-day tour of the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Palestine and Israel, in a trip aimed at bolstering cooperation with the region over energy and the Middle East peace process. "I intend to work for the Middle ...

World / Politics Apr 27, 2018

After Senate battle, hawkish Mike Pompeo sworn in as U.S. secretary of state, gets marching orders

Former CIA director Mike Pompeo was sworn in as America's top diplomat Thursday after a bruising battle over his hardliner image, and immediately embarked on a mission to Europe and the Middle East with a strong declaration of support from President Donald Trump. Pompeo overcame ...

World / Politics Apr 23, 2018

French globalist Macron maintains tough-love friendship with nationalist Trump

Of everything Emmanuel Macron has accomplished in nearly a year as France's president, the most important may be his tough-love friendship with Donald Trump. From their first bone-squeezing handshake to Macron's recent claim that he persuaded Trump to bomb Syria, it's been an improbable relationship. ...

National / Politics Apr 6, 2018

Abe unveils initiative to boost security in Iraq amid arms proliferation

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced Thursday the planned launch of a Japan-led international initiative to improve security in Iraq, amid a proliferation of arms following the liberation of the Middle Eastern country from the Islamic State extremist group. Abe said in a multilateral meeting in ...

National / Politics Mar 10, 2018

Japan and Jordan agree to advance Mideast 'peace corridor'

Japan and Jordan have affirmed they will keep working on a four-way development project intended to create a path toward peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. Foreign Minister Taro Kono and his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi agreed over dinner in Tokyo on Friday that promoting ...