VENETIA RAINEY: Lebanon cannot re-open its border

VENETIA RAINEY: Lebanon cannot re-open its border
The world cannot rely on Syria’s neighbours to carry the entire burden of the refugee crisis
7 Jan 2015
VENETIA RAINEY: A glint of hope in the Middle East

VENETIA RAINEY: A glint of hope in the Middle East
Hamas removed from terror blacklist, Palestinian state recognised by EU – 17 December was a big day
18 Dec 2014
Capture of IS chief’s ex-wife a coup for fragile Lebanon

Capture of IS chief’s ex-wife a coup for fragile Lebanon
But while West is keen to help Lebanese take on IS, donor fatigue means Syrian refugees will go hungry
5 Dec 2014
VENETIA RAINEY: Why we must make a deal with Iran

VENETIA RAINEY: Why we must make a deal with Iran
Five good reasons why the West and Iran should come to an agreement – and the sooner the better
20 Nov 2014
VENETIA RAINEY: Israel's new president talks sense

VENETIA RAINEY: Israel's new president talks sense
Israel is home not only to Jews – but to Arabs like Kheir Hamdan, ‘killed in cold blood’ by police
12 Nov 2014
Israel v Palestine: is this the start of the Third Intifada?

Israel v Palestine: is this the start of the Third Intifada?
'Chickenshit' Netanyahu… Sweden's 'Ikea politics'… Global insults fly as violence erupts in Jerusalem
31 Oct 2014
How to stop Islamic State: go for the roots, not the head

How to stop Islamic State: go for the roots, not the head
Bombing runs on IS targets are dismissed as ‘shock and yawn’: we need those living under IS to rebel
16 Oct 2014
VENETIA RAINEY: The trouble with Mahmoud Abbas...

VENETIA RAINEY: The trouble with Mahmoud Abbas...
It's also time to reduce the role of the Middle East's chief mediator – the United States
30 Sep 2014
After Gaza, Israel plays another card: land grabs

After Gaza, Israel plays another card: land grabs
By taking land from Palestinians in the West Bank, Israel ensures long-term peace looks hopeless
11 Sep 2014
GAZA: 500 dead children is no sort of victory

GAZA: 500 dead children is no sort of victory
Neither Palestinians nor Israelis have achieved what they wanted: we will be back here again
27 Aug 2014
ANTI-SEMITISM: How we confuse Jews with Israelis

ANTI-SEMITISM: How we confuse Jews with Israelis
'Our problem is not with the Jews,' said the Palestinian refugee, 'but with the Israeli government and army'
31 Jul 2014
Understanding Hamas: part terrorism, part good works

Understanding Hamas: part terrorism, part good works
Three things you should know before writing off Hamas as just a violent terrorist organisation
25 Jul 2014
VENETIA RAINEY: Israel needs to give Gaza hope

VENETIA RAINEY: Israel needs to give Gaza hope
Bombing Gaza is like handing Popeye a can of spinach - it won't weaken Hamas, only make it stronger
17 Jul 2014
VENETIA RAINEY: Why Israel wanted to batter Hamas

VENETIA RAINEY: Why Israel wanted to batter Hamas
This is more about dividing Palestinians for political ends than it is about three dead Israeli teenagers
9 Jul 2014
The 'Jihadi Spring' - could Isis gain a foothold in Lebanon?

The 'Jihadi Spring' - could Isis gain a foothold in Lebanon?
'We understand no borders,' says one Isis fighter, 'we will go wherever our sheik wants to send us'
24 Jun 2014
VENETIA RAINEY: Lebanon sits on a refugee timebomb

VENETIA RAINEY: Lebanon sits on a refugee timebomb
With a quarter of its population now made up of fleeing Syrians, tiny Lebanon is clamping down
30 May 2014
TERRORISTS? Israelis turn on hard-line settlers

TERRORISTS? Israelis turn on hard-line settlers
The vandalism and violence perpetrated by Jewish extremists has gone too far, say moderate Israelis
15 May 2014
LEBANON: Pick your killer election candidate

LEBANON: Pick your killer election candidate
Meet the three most popular candidates to take over the presidency – and pray that MPs find an alternative
30 Apr 2014
VENETIA RAINEY: Not only Christians suffer in Syria

VENETIA RAINEY: Not only Christians suffer in Syria
Kim Kardashian has thrown focus on Kessab: but Syrians of all faiths are suffering under Assad
17 Apr 2014
MIDDLE EAST: Fears grow of third intifada

MIDDLE EAST: Fears grow of third intifada
More settlement building, more civilians shot dead by the Israeli army: something has to change fast
3 Apr 2014
VENETIA RAINEY: 13 nuns reveal the truth about Syria

VENETIA RAINEY: 13 nuns reveal the truth about Syria
For a start, we now know Bashar Assad’s regime does detain children. But there’s more…
14 Mar 2014
Lebanon's war with al-Qaeda: is it a losing battle?

Lebanon's war with al-Qaeda: is it a losing battle?
Hezbollah is not the perpetrator but the target because of its decision to fight alongside Assad in Syria
20 Feb 2014
Syrian refugee crisis: where is Lebanon's tipping point?

Syrian refugee crisis: where is Lebanon's tipping point?
As another 50,000 Syrians register in one month, Lebanese generosity is being stretched to the limit
7 Feb 2014
Geneva 2: torture photos put onus on humanitarian solution

Geneva 2: torture photos put onus on humanitarian solution
Such cruelty is not confined to the regime's prisons: humanitarian goals must take centre stage at talks
21 Jan 2014
ARIEL SHARON: Time to eulogise or face brutal facts?

ARIEL SHARON: Time to eulogise or face brutal facts?
As Sharon's death is announced from Tel Aviv, young Israelis look to the future not the past
11 Jan 2014
SYRIA: Why some Christians pray for Assad victory

SYRIA: Why some Christians pray for Assad victory
Ahead of Geneva II, a growing number of Lebanese Christians see Syria's leader as their best defence
27 Nov 2013
Ads: Too young for

Ads: Too young for
French underwear designer targeting girls between four and 12 accused of sexualising children
17 Aug 2011
Marmite: should UK ban it

Marmite: should UK ban it
Denmark has a reputation for knowing best when it comes to food regulation
25 May 2011
Assad’s wife leaves horrors of Syria for England

Assad’s wife leaves horrors of Syria for England
But did Asma al-Assad walk out in disgust - or is shewaiting to rejoin her husband?
10 May 2011