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Middle East news — August 27, 2026 - Page 2

Publications tagged with Middle East published on August 27, 2026 (UTC). This is a fixed calendar-day archive. Page 2 of 7.

156 publications

  1. PoliticsMiddle EastNorth AmericaBudget

    Trump Administration Proposes $103,265 Fee for H-1B Visas

    The Trump administration has proposed a new regulation to make permanent an unprecedented fee of over $100,000 for new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers. The H-1B program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers with specialized degrees and offers 65,000 visas annually, plus an additional 20,000 for workers with postgraduate degrees. The fee, initially imposed by Trump last year, dramatically increases the cost of these visas and has been challenged in court. The proposed fee, valued at $103,265, initiates a 30-day public comment period and could be finalized by the end of the year.
    237 sourcesSee all sources
  2. WorldLawRegulatorsMiddle EastNorth America

    Kazakhstan's Largest Refineries Refuse to Supply Gasoline to Russia

    The largest oil refineries in Kazakhstan have refused to supply gasoline to Russia due to sanctions risks and payment difficulties. Only a small plant called 'Condensate' sent approximately 9,000 tons of gasoline to Russia in July. The refineries cited insufficient volumes of motor fuel in the domestic market and potential Western sanctions as reasons for their refusal.
    15 sourcesSee all sources
  3. PoliticsAppointmentsMiddle EastIsrael

    Eisenkot Opposes Palestinian State, Criticizes Two-State Solution

    Gadi Eisenkot, a former Israeli Chief of Staff and current political candidate, reiterates his opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state. He criticizes the two-state solution, arguing it's unrealistic, strategically wrong, and poses a risk to Israel. Eisenkot believes military power is crucial for Israel's future and laments the lack of diplomatic achievements following military successes.
    10 sourcesSee all sources
  4. WorldMiddle East

    Inflation in Iran Reaches 84.4% in August

    The Central Bank of Iran has announced that the point-to-point inflation index in August reached 84.4%, a significant increase from the previous month's 83.9% and last year's 41%. This high inflation rate is accompanied by a rise in the consumer price index and a widening gap between inflation rates. The annual inflation rate for the 12-month period ending in August was 69.9%, with monthly inflation reaching 89%.
    13 sourcesSee all sources
  10. PoliticsPeaceWarMiddle East

    Netanyahu Secretly Communicated with Hamas in 2014

    Israeli media reports allege that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held direct communications with Hamas leader Gaza Hamad during the 2014 war without the knowledge of the security and military establishment. A businessman sent by Netanyahu spoke directly with Hamas leader Gaza Hamad in Gaza over several weeks, seeking a ceasefire from the first day of Operation 'Protective Edge'. The security and military establishment discovered these secret communications, leaving them shocked.
    27 sourcesSee all sources
  13. WorldLocal GovMiddle East

    Boko Haram Dominates Kidnapping and Ransom Payments in Nigeria

    Over 7,000 people were kidnapped across Nigeria in one year, with a total of N7.78 billion (approximately $5.8 million) paid in ransom. Boko Haram was responsible for the majority of these kidnappings and received over 90% of the ransom payments, amounting to N7.19 billion (₦719.4 million). By contrast, unaffiliated kidnappers collected only ₦719.4 million (9.2% of the national total).
    3 sourcesSee all sources
  14. PoliticsConstitutionMiddle EastIsrael

    IDF Allows Palestinian Security Forces in Area C, Leading to Settler Abduction

    The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has been permitting Palestinian Authority security personnel to operate in Area C, resulting in the abduction of a reserve soldier by armed Palestinian officers. Despite clear evidence, the IDF has not imposed sanctions on the Palestinian forces or defined the incident as a kidnapping. The IDF has since suspended security coordination with the Palestinian Authority in the Benjamin region and demands that they bring the officers involved to justice.
    13 sourcesSee all sources
  16. WorldRegulatorsElectionsMiddle East

    Uganda: President's Son Announces 2031 Presidential Bid

    Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni and head of the army, has declared his intention to run for president in 2031. The 52-year-old, known for his controversial social media posts, predicts a landslide victory with his father's support. This announcement comes amid speculation about succession plans as Museveni, 81, enters his seventh term.
    19 sourcesSee all sources
  17. WorldLawCivil RightsMiddle East

    Mexico to Prohibit Dual Nationality for Presidential and Governorship Candidates

    Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has proposed a constitutional reform to prevent individuals with dual nationality from running for president or governor. The initiative aims to ensure that candidates prioritize Mexico's interests above all others and prevent foreign interference. The proposal comes amidst tensions between Mexico and the United States over security matters and warnings about potential actions against Mexican cartels.
    43 sourcesSee all sources
  18. WorldPolicySanctionsMiddle East

    China Opposes U.S. Unilateral Sanctions Against Iran

    China has repeatedly expressed its firm opposition to unilateral illegal sanctions imposed by the U.S. against Iran, stating that these sanctions have no basis in international law and are not authorized by the UN Security Council. Chinese officials have emphasized that they will defend the rights and interests of Chinese companies affected by these sanctions. They also warn that such actions could disrupt the global economic and financial order and harm the legitimate interests of other countries.
    29 sourcesSee all sources
  19. WorldBillMiddle East

    Puerto Rico Drought: US Declares Disaster in 26 Municipalities

    The US Department of Agriculture has declared a drought disaster in 26 municipalities across Puerto Rico, allowing them to access federal assistance programs. Extreme drought conditions now affect 44% of the island, impacting over 3 million people and leading to water rationing in several areas. The Carraízo reservoir, which supplies water to parts of the metropolitan area, is critically low, and the La Plata reservoir is nearing its 'operational adjustments' level.
    5 sourcesSee all sources
  20. PoliticsConstitutionIndictmentTrialMiddle East

    Former Bosnian Serb Army Commander Ratko Mladic Dies in Prison

    Ratko Mladic, the former commander of the Bosnian Serb Army, has died in prison at the age of 84. He was serving a life sentence for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide committed during the Bosnian War in the 1990s. Mladic was known for his role in the Srebrenica massacre, where over 8000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were killed in 1995. He was arrested in 2011 and sentenced to life imprisonment by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in 2017.
    79 sourcesSee all sources
  21. PoliticsLocal GovIndictmentMiddle East

    Michigan Dem AG Criticizes El-Sayed's Response to Synagogue Attack

    Michigan's Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel has criticized her party's Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed for his response to an attempted terrorist attack on a Michigan synagogue earlier this year. Nessel took issue with El-Sayed's statement that 'hurt people hurt people,' suggesting it made excuses for domestic terrorism. She also expressed concerns about increasing anti-Israel sentiments within the Democratic Party and urged El-Sayed to retract his comments and learn more about Jewish religion and history.
    2 sourcesSee all sources
  22. WorldBillMiddle East

    UN Welcomes Integration of Syrian Democratic Forces, Progress in Syria

    The UN Special Envoy to Syria, Claudio Cordone, has welcomed the announcement of the dissolution of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the continued progress in security and administrative integration in northeast Syria. He looks forward to further steps to complete the implementation of the January 29, 2026 agreement. The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General also praised the accelerating pace of recovery in Syria and the government's steps towards enhancing stability and development. However, Israeli incursions into Syria and the detention of Syrian citizens were criticized as violations of Syria's sovereignty. The Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs highlighted encouraging signs in Syria, including the return of Syrians to their homes and improvements in various sectors, but emphasized the need for investment to transition from humanitarian aid dependence to reconstruction and development.
    12 sourcesSee all sources