http://www.newsvine.com/mideastNewsvine - mideasten-usCopyright 2013Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:17:51 +0000Sun, 26 May 2013 08:45:04 +0000http://www.newsvine.comhttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/10/17685318-mideast-feminists-reject-europe-topless-protestshttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/10/17685318-mideast-feminists-reject-europe-topless-protestsmideastmiddle-eastworld-newsbacklashfeministmlWed, 10 Apr 2013 10:17:51 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>FILE - In this April 4, 2013 file photo, FEMEN activists protest in front of the Tunisian Consulate in Milan, Thursday, April 4, 2013. The radical feminists, calling for more sexual freedom for Arab women, were protesting in support of a young Tunisian woman who received online death threats from ultraconservative Muslims after posting topless photos of herself online. Women's rights activists across the middle east fear the topless protests may hurt their cause more than help it. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)</p><p>This recent image from video provided by CAPA and Canal+ television on Monday April, 8, 2013 shows Tunisian Femen activist Amina. Bewilderment, scorn, resentment &#8212; women’s rights activists across the Middle East are reacting with everything but joy to topless demonstrations in Europe by the Ukrainian feminist group FEMEN against oppression of women in Muslim countries. They fear the bare breasts may hurt their cause more than help it, after FEMEN activists protested in front of mosques and Tunisian embassies last week in solidarity with a Amina who caused a scandal in her own country when she posted topless photos of herself protesting religious oppression.(AP Photo/Benoit Chaumont and Akim Rezgui/ CAPA/Canal+)</p><p>FILE - In this April 4, 2013 file photo, a FEMEN activist protest in front of the Tunisian Consulate in Milan, Thursday, April 4, 2013. The radical feminists, calling for more sexual freedom for Arab women, were protesting in support of a young Tunisian woman who received online death threats from ultraconservative Muslims after posting topless photos of herself online. Women's rights activists across the middle east fear the topless protests may hurt their cause more than help it. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni, File)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/08/17650355-kerry-upbeat-after-3-days-of-mideast-diplomacyhttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/08/17650355-kerry-upbeat-after-3-days-of-mideast-diplomacymideastkerryworld-newsbenjamin-netanyahumlstate-john-kerryMon, 8 Apr 2013 08:19:12 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, right, meets with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Sunday April 7, 2013. (AP Photo / Mohamed Torokman)</p><p>Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, right, meets with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Sunday, April, 7, 2013. (AP Photo / Mohamed Torokman)</p><p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, along with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, delivers remarks to the media at the start of their meeting at the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem, Tuesday, April 9, 2013. On his third trip to Jerusalem in the last two weeks, Secretary of State Kerry committed himself to a multi-month peace push that could mean numerous follow-up trips to the region. He met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and other senior Israeli and Palestinian officials. (AP Photo/Paul J. Richards, Pool) </p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/05/17616538-leaders-of-3-mideast-nations-to-visit-white-househttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/05/17616538-leaders-of-3-mideast-nations-to-visit-white-houseusmideastwhite-housepoliticsobamabarack-obamaFri, 5 Apr 2013 14:46:55 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/05/17609789-op-ed-stirs-row-over-palestinian-rock-throwinghttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/05/17609789-op-ed-stirs-row-over-palestinian-rock-throwingmideastrockresistancewest-bankworld-newsmldo-palestiniansFri, 5 Apr 2013 06:20:36 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>Palestinians clash with Israeli forces, not pictured, in the West Bank city of Hebron, Thursday, April 4, 2013. Demonstrations first erupted across the West Bank on Tuesday over the death of a Palestinian prisoner who died from cancer. The prisoner, 64-year-old Maysara Abu Hamdiyeh, was serving a life sentence for a 2002 foiled bombing of a busy Jerusalem cafe. After Abu Hamdiyeh died, the Palestinians blamed Israel for the death, saying he was not given proper medical care. Israel says the prisoner was treated by specialist doctors in hospital. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)</p><p>An Israeli Border Police officer aims towards Palestinian protesters, not pictured, during clashes in the West Bank city of Hebron, Thursday, April 4, 2013. Demonstrations first erupted across the West Bank on Tuesday over the death of a Palestinian prisoner who died from cancer. The prisoner, 64-year-old Maysara Abu Hamdiyeh, was serving a life sentence for a 2002 foiled bombing of a busy Jerusalem cafe. After Abu Hamdiyeh died, the Palestinians blamed Israel for the death, saying he was not given proper medical care. Israel says the prisoner was treated by specialist doctors in hospital. (AP Photo/Nasser Shiyoukhi)</p><p>Palestinians clash with Israeli forces, not pictured, in the West Bank city of Hebron, Thursday, April 4, 2013. Demonstrations first erupted across the West Bank on Tuesday over the death of a Palestinian prisoner who died from cancer. The prisoner, 64-year-old Maysara Abu Hamdiyeh, was serving a life sentence for a 2002 foiled bombing of a busy Jerusalem cafe. After Abu Hamdiyeh died, the Palestinians blamed Israel for the death, saying he was not given proper medical care. Israel says the prisoner was treated by specialist doctors in hospital. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/03/17583362-new-push-for-mideast-peace-john-kerry-heads-backhttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/03/17583362-new-push-for-mideast-peace-john-kerry-heads-backusmideastmiddle-eastkerrypoliticsstate-john-kerryWed, 3 Apr 2013 11:36:15 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks at a news conference with South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-Se, not pictured, at the State Department in Washington, on Tuesday, April 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)</p><p>FILE - In this April 2, 2013 file photo, Secretary of State John Kerry speaks at the State Department in Washington. U.S. and Turkish officials say Secretary of State John Kerry is traveling to Turkey and Israel this weekend to build on the two nations' efforts to repair ties. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)</p><p>Palestinians clash with Israeli forces, not pictured, during riots after the death of Maysara Abu Hamdiyeh at an Israeli jail, in the West Bank city of Hebron, Wednesday, April 3, 2013. Palestinian prisoners have been rioting and hunger striking since a 64-year-old prisoner died of throat cancer on Tuesday. The Palestinians have blamed Israel for the man's death, saying he was not given proper medical care. The prisoner, Maysara Abu Hamdiyeh, had been serving a life sentence for his role in a foiled attempt to bomb a busy cafe in Jerusalem in 2002. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/31/17537828-christians-in-holy-land-mideast-celebrate-easterhttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/31/17537828-christians-in-holy-land-mideast-celebrate-eastermideastmiddle-eastholy-landworld-newseastermlSun, 31 Mar 2013 09:37:28 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>Iraqi Christians congratulate each other after Easter mass at Mar Youssif Chaldean Church in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, March 31, 2013. The Chaldean Church is an Eastern Rite church affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. (AP Photo/ Karim Kadim)</p><p>Iraqi Christians pray during Easter mass at Mar Youssif Chaldean Church in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, March 31, 2013. The Chaldean Church is an Eastern Rite church affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. (AP Photo/ Karim Kadim)</p><p>Iraqi Christians pray during Easter mass at Mar Youssif Chaldean Church in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, March 31, 2013. The Chaldean Church is an Eastern Rite church affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. (AP Photo/ Karim Kadim)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/29/17512308-christians-mark-jesus-crucifixion-on-good-fridayhttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/29/17512308-christians-mark-jesus-crucifixion-on-good-fridaymideastfridayholy-landworld-newsold-citymlgood-fridayFri, 29 Mar 2013 07:31:29 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>A Christian Catholic pilgrim lights a candle inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Christ, in Jerusalem's Old City, Friday, March 29, 2013. Less than 2 percent of the population of Israel and the Palestinian territories is Christian, mostly split between Catholicism and Orthodox streams of Christianity. Christians in the West Bank wanting to attend services in Jerusalem must obtain permission from Israeli authorities. Israel's Tourism Ministry said it expects some 150,000 visitors in Israel during Easter week and the Jewish festival of Passover, which coincide this year. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)</p><p>Christian Catholic pilgrims pray inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Christ, in Jerusalem's Old City, Friday, March 29, 2013. Less than 2 percent of the population of Israel and the Palestinian territories is Christian, mostly split between Catholicism and Orthodox streams of Christianity. Christians in the West Bank wanting to attend services in Jerusalem must obtain permission from Israeli authorities. Israel's Tourism Ministry said it expects some 150,000 visitors in Israel during Easter week and the Jewish festival of Passover, which coincide this year. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)</p><p>A Christian pilgrim dressed as Jesus Christ is attached to a cross during a reenactment of the crucifixion during a Good Friday procession in Jerusalem's Old City, Friday, March 29, 2013. Less than 2 percent of the population of Israel and the Palestinian territories is Christian, mostly split between Catholicism and Orthodox streams of Christianity. Christians in the West Bank wanting to attend services in Jerusalem must obtain permission from Israeli authorities. Israel's Tourism Ministry said it expects some 150,000 visitors in Israel during Easter week and the Jewish festival of Passover, which coincide this year. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)</p><p>Christian worshippers carry a cross towards the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed by many to be the site of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, during the Good Friday procession in Jerusalem's Old City, Friday, March 29, 2013. Less than 2 percent of the population of Israel and the Palestinian territories is Christian, mostly split between Catholicism and Orthodox streams of Christianity. Christians in the West Bank wanting to attend services in Jerusalem must obtain permission from Israeli authorities. Israel's Tourism Ministry said it expects some 150,000 visitors in Israel during Easter week and the Jewish festival of Passover, which coincide this year. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)</p><p>A Christian pilgrim dressed as Jesus Christ carries a cross during a reenactment of the crucifixion during a Good Friday procession in Jerusalem's Old City, Friday, March 29, 2013. Less than 2 percent of the population of Israel and the Palestinian territories is Christian, mostly split between Catholicism and Orthodox streams of Christianity. Christians in the West Bank wanting to attend services in Jerusalem must obtain permission from Israeli authorities. Israel's Tourism Ministry said it expects some 150,000 visitors in Israel during Easter week and the Jewish festival of Passover, which coincide this year. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)</p><p>Christian worshippers carry a cross towards the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed by many to be the site of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, during the Good Friday procession in Jerusalem's Old City, Friday, March 29, 2013. Less than 2 percent of the population of Israel and the Palestinian territories is Christian, mostly split between Catholicism and Orthodox streams of Christianity. Christians in the West Bank wanting to attend services in Jerusalem must obtain permission from Israeli authorities. Israel's Tourism Ministry said it expects some 150,000 visitors in Israel during Easter week and the Jewish festival of Passover, which coincide this year. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/23/17426466-kerry-warns-iraq-on-iran-flights-to-syriahttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/23/17426466-kerry-warns-iraq-on-iran-flights-to-syriamideastkerrysaddam-husseinbarack-obamaworld-newsmlstate-john-kerrySat, 23 Mar 2013 09:56:51 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>U.S. President Barack Obama, center, talks with King Abdullah II of Jordan, right foreground, as he departs Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan, Saturday, March 23, 2013. At left is U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)</p><p>U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, right meets with Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, March 24, 2013. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry made an unannounced visit to Iraq on Sunday and will urge Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to make sure Iranian flights over Iraq do not carry arms and fighters to Syria, a U.S. official said. (AP Photo/Jason Reed, Pool)</p><p>U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, right meets with Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, second right, in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, March 24, 2013. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry made an unannounced visit to Iraq on Sunday and will urge Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to make sure Iranian flights over Iraq do not carry arms and fighters to Syria, a U.S. official said. (AP Photo/Jason Reed, Pool)</p><p>U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, right, meets with Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, March 24, 2013. Kerry made an unannounced visit to Iraq on Sunday and will urge al-Maliki to make sure Iranian flights over Iraq do not carry arms and fighters to Syria, a U.S. official said. (AP Photo/Jason Reed, Pool)</p><p>U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, meets with Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, right, in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, March 24, 2013. Kerry made an unannounced visit to Iraq on Sunday and will urge al-Maliki to make sure Iranian flights over Iraq do not carry arms and fighters to Syria, a U.S. official said. (AP Photo/Jason Reed, Pool)</p><p>U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, right, arrives to meet with Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, not pictured, in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, March 24, 2013. Kerry made an unannounced visit to Iraq on Sunday and will urge al-Maliki to make sure Iranian flights over Iraq do not carry arms and fighters to Syria, a U.S. official said. (AP Photo/Jason Reed, Pool)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/21/17400146-obama-hell-keep-plugging-away-on-mideast-peacehttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/21/17400146-obama-hell-keep-plugging-away-on-mideast-peacemideastpeaceobamabarack-obamaworld-newsmlmideast-peaceThu, 21 Mar 2013 11:59:38 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/21/17396107-obama-visit-poses-tough-choices-for-palestinianshttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/21/17396107-obama-visit-poses-tough-choices-for-palestiniansmideastanalysissettlementsbarack-obamaworld-newsmlThu, 21 Mar 2013 06:57:06 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>This Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013 file photo shows a general view of the Jewish settlement of Maaleh Adumim, on the outskirts of Jerusalem. On his short helicopter ride from Jerusalem to the West Bank on Thursday, President Barack Obama is flying over sprawling Jewish settlements a visual reminder of his failed attempt four years ago to get Israel to freeze construction and now the main obstacle to renewing Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, File)</p><p>Traffic is at a standstill near a section of Israel's separation barrier near a crossing checkpoint Thursday, March 21, 2013, in the West Bank town of Ramallah. President Barack Obama is traveling to Ramallah to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)</p><p>Signs that once had an image of President Barack Obama and the words “President Obama, Don’t bring your smart phone to Ramallah. You won’t have mobile access to Internet. We have no 3G in Palestine!” are seen from a bus window painted over with black, Thursday, March 21, 2013, in the West Bank town of Ramallah. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)</p><p>President Barack Obama, right, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, front left, walk along to red carpet for a troop review during an arrival ceremony as Obama arrives at the Muqata Presidential Compound Thursday, March 21, 2013, in the West Bank town of Ramallah. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)</p><p>President Barack Obama waves to media as he walks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, right, as he arrives at the Muqata Presidential Compound Thursday, March 21, 2013, in the West Bank town of Ramallah. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)</p><p>President Barack Obama looks into the crowd and tries to hear a person yelling at him during his speech at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem, Thursday, March 21, 2013. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)</p><p>President Barack Obama pauses during his speech at the Jerusalem Convention Center in Jerusalem, Israel, Thursday, March 21, 2013, (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)</p><p>U.S. President Barack Obama appears on television, left, at a restaurant next pictures of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, top, and late Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, bottom, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Thursday, March 21, 2013. Obama's visit to the West Bank was largely met by indifference. Obama on Thursday urged Israelis and Palestinians to get back to peace talks but offered no new ideas on how they might do so, essentially abandoning his previous support of the Palestinian demand for Israel to halt settlement activity before negotiations resume. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)</p><p>Police block the way to Palestinian protesters during a rally against U.S. President Barack Obama in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Thursday, March 21, 2013. Obama is meeting Palestinian officials on the second day of his Mideast tour to emphasize the importance of reaching an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal, a message underscored Thursday when Palestinian militants in Gaza launched rockets into southern Israel. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/20/17389481-obama-ending-israel-visit-with-symbolic-stopshttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/20/17389481-obama-ending-israel-visit-with-symbolic-stopsmideastapobamabarack-obamajesus-christworld-newsmljesus-chrisWed, 20 Mar 2013 19:26:00 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>President Barack Obama and Israeli President Shimon Peres, left, are photographed through a window and the crowd as they are greeted by children waving Israeli and American flags upon their arrival at the Peres' residence, Wednesday, March 20, 2013, in Jerusalem. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)</p><p>President Barack Obama and Israeli President Shimon Peres shake hands following their joint statement to members of the media at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, Israel, Wednesday, March 20, 2013, (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)</p><p>U.S. President Barack Obama, right, with Israeli President Shimon Perez, center, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stand behind, lays a wreath at the grave of Theodor Herzl during his visit to Mt. Herzl in Jerusalem, Israel, Friday, March 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)</p><p>U.S. President Barack Obama, left, reignites the flame during his visit to the the Hall of Remembrance at the Vad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, Israel, Friday, March 22, 2013. Standing behind Obama are Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, left, and Israeli President Shimon Peres. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)</p><p>U.S. President Barack Obama, right, walks out with Rabbi Meir Lau, left, after visiting the Hall of Remembrance at the Vad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, Israel, Friday, March 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)</p><p>U.S. President Barack Obama, left, looks up during his visit to the Hall of Names at the Vad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, Israel, Friday, March 22, 2013. With Obama are from left to right, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli President Shimon Peres, Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, and Chairman of the Memorial Avner Shalev. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)</p><p>U.S. President Barack Obama, right, pauses after laying a wreath during his visit to the Hall of Remembrance at the Vad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, Israel, Friday, March 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)</p><p>U.S. President Barack Obama walks out of the Hall of Remembrance at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, Israel, Friday, March 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)</p><p>U.S. President Barack Obama, left, re-ignites the flame during his visit to the Hall of Remembrance at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, Israel. Standing behind Obama are Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, left, and Israeli President Shimon Peres. Friday, March 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)</p><p>U.S. President Barack Obama, left, looks up during his visit to the Hall of Names at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, Israel, Friday, March 22, 2013. With Obama are from left to right, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli President Shimon Peres, Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, and Chairman of the Memorial Avner Shalev. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)</p><p>U.S. President Barack Obama, right, pauses after laying a wreath during his visit to the Hall of Remembrance at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, Israel, Friday, March 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/19/17374847-ap-analysis-in-mideast-partial-deal-tantalizeshttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/19/17374847-ap-analysis-in-mideast-partial-deal-tantalizesmideastpeaceanalysisworld-newspartialmlTue, 19 Mar 2013 20:20:08 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>Palestinian activists throw shoes at a poster of US President Barack Obama in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Monday, March 18, 2013. Some two dozen Palestinian activists protested the upcoming Obama visit. Obama’s trip to Jerusalem and the West Bank will take place March 20-22, and it is the U.S. leader’s first trip to the region as president, and his first overseas trip since being reelected. (AP Photo/Nasser Shiyoukhi)</p><p>Palestinian activists walk over a poster of US President Barack Obama in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Monday, March 18, 2013. Some two dozen Palestinian activists protested the upcoming Obama visit. Obama’s trip to Jerusalem and the West Bank will take place March 20-22, and it is the U.S. leader’s first trip to the region as president, and his first overseas trip since being reelected. (AP Photo/Nasser Shiyoukhi)</p><p>Students of the Holon Institute of Technology for bakery and pastry making, work on an image depicting U.S. President Barack Obama made out of chocolate in Givat Shmuel, central Israel, Monday, March 18, 2013. Obama’s trip to Jerusalem and the West Bank will take place March 20-22, and it is the U.S. leader’s first trip to the region as president, and his first overseas trip since being reelected. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/19/17374360-protests-pleas-and-gifts-ahead-of-obamas-visithttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/19/17374360-protests-pleas-and-gifts-ahead-of-obamas-visitmideastwhite-housenotebookobamabarack-obamaworld-newsprime-ministermlmichelle-obamasarah-netanyahuTue, 19 Mar 2013 19:14:57 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/14/17315371-remade-mideast-poses-new-perils-for-obama-on-triphttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/14/17315371-remade-mideast-poses-new-perils-for-obama-on-tripusmideastmiddle-eastwhite-housepoliticsobamabarack-obamaThu, 14 Mar 2013 21:33:22 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>FILE -- In this Monday, May 18, 2009 file photo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, looks towards President Barack Obama as he speaks to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. President Barack Obama’s vow to take his message straight to the public during his first presidential visit to Israel next week will be a tough sell with many Israelis who consider him naive, too soft on the nation’s enemies and even hostile to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)</p><p>FILE -- In this Sunday, June 14, 2009 file photo, an Ultra Orthodox Jewish man walks past posters depicting US President Barack Obama wearing a traditional Arab headdress, in Jerusalem, Sunday, June 14, 2009. President Barack Obama’s vow to take his message straight to the public during his first presidential visit to Israel next week will be a tough sell with many Israelis who consider him naive, too soft on the nation’s enemies and even hostile to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, File)</p><p>File - In this March 10, 2013 file photograph, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting in his Jerusalem office. Netanyahu signed a coalition deal Friday March 15, 2013, with rival parties to form the next government, a spokesman said, in an agreement that was stalled for weeks due to tough negotiations. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, File)</p><p>Students of Estella's school for bakery and pastry making, work on an image depicting U.S. President Barack Obama made out of chocolate in Givat Shmuel, central Israel, Monday, March 18, 2013. Obama’s trip to Jerusalem and the West Bank will take place March 20-22, and it is the U.S. leader’s first trip to the region as president, and his first overseas trip since being reelected. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)</p><p>Palestinian activists throw shoes at a poster of US President Barack Obama in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Monday, March 18, 2013. Some two dozen Palestinian activists protested the upcoming Obama visit. Obama’s trip to Jerusalem and the West Bank will take place March 20-22, and it is the U.S. leader’s first trip to the region as president, and his first overseas trip since being reelected. (AP Photo/Nasser Shiyoukhi)</p><p>FILE - In this March 15, 2013, President Barack Obama walks past Marine One and heads to the Oval Office at the White House in Washington. On his second trip to the Middle East as U.S. commander in chief, Obama will confront a political and strategic landscape this week nearly unrecognizable from the one he encountered on his first trip to the region shortly after assuming office in 2009. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)</p><p>Two Israeli soldiers stand guard next to satirical posters depicting U.S. President Barack Obama, and Jonathan Pollard, a Jewish-American who was jailed for life in 1987 on charges of spying on the United States, at the Gush Etzion junction between the West Bank towns of Bethlehem and Hebron, Tuesday, March 19, 2013. Obama’s trip to Jerusalem and the West Bank will take place March 20-22, and it is the U.S. leader’s first trip to the region as president, and his first overseas trip since being reelected. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)</p><p>Students of the Holon Institute of Technology for bakery and pastry making, work on an image depicting U.S. President Barack Obama made out of chocolate in Givat Shmuel, central Israel, Monday, March 18, 2013. Obama’s trip to Jerusalem and the West Bank will take place March 20-22, and it is the U.S. leader’s first trip to the region as president, and his first overseas trip since being reelected. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/02/19/17018871-kerry-1st-trip-to-europe-mideast-no-israel-stophttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/02/19/17018871-kerry-1st-trip-to-europe-mideast-no-israel-stopusmideastapmiddle-eastkerrypoliticsstate-john-kerryTue, 19 Feb 2013 18:18:50 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>FILE - In this Feb. 14, 2013 file photo, Secretary of State John Kerry speaks at the State Department in Washington. Kerry will make his first overseas trip next week to Europe and the Middle East, but is skipping Israel because that country's government isn't fully formed after recent elections. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/02/13/16950815-kerry-seeks-to-change-assads-thinking-on-syriahttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/02/13/16950815-kerry-seeks-to-change-assads-thinking-on-syriausmideastkerrypoliticsbashar-assadstate-john-kerryWed, 13 Feb 2013 18:15:09 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>Secretary of State John Kerry applauds as President Barack Obama gives his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. Vice President Joe Biden is at left, House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio is second from right. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/02/06/16869091-report-corruption-suspected-in-mideast-defensehttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/02/06/16869091-report-corruption-suspected-in-mideast-defensemideastdefensecorruptionworld-newsmlWed, 6 Feb 2013 15:04:52 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/01/14/16503191-jordans-king-urges-israel-palestinians-to-talkhttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/01/14/16503191-jordans-king-urges-israel-palestinians-to-talkmideastpeacejordanworld-newsmlMon, 14 Jan 2013 10:38:18 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/01/09/16425978-storm-leaves-gaza-man-dead-jerusalem-snowed-inhttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/01/09/16425978-storm-leaves-gaza-man-dead-jerusalem-snowed-inweathermideastwest-banksuez-canalworld-newsmlWed, 9 Jan 2013 08:42:37 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>A Palestinian woman passes keys to a person on the other side of a flooded road in the West Bank of Jenin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. Stormy weather, including high winds and heavy rainfall, lashed Israel and the Palestinian territories, downing power-lines and trees. (AP Photo/Mohammed Ballas)</p><p>Syrian refugees walk on water and mud, at Zaatari Syrian refugee camp, near the Syrian border in Mafraq, Jordan, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. Syrian refugees in a Jordanian camp attacked aid workers with sticks and stones on Tuesday, frustrated after cold, howling winds swept away their tents and torrential rains flooded muddy streets overnight. Police said seven aid workers were injured. (AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon)</p><p>Syrian refugees stand under electricity cables outside their tents, at a temporary refugee camp, in the eastern Lebanese Town of Al-Faour near the border with Syria, Lebanon Tuesday Jan. 8, 2013. Two Syrian refugee encampments in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa valley were completely immersed in water Tuesday after the Litani river flooded and the water came pouring into their tents. The flood forced dozens of Syrian refugees to leave in search for alternative shelter along with their water-soaked and muddied belongings. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)</p><p>A Syrian refugee boy makes his way through water and mud, next to a UNICEF school at Zaatari Syrian refugee camp, near the Syrian border in Mafraq, Jordan, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. Syrian refugees in a Jordanian camp attacked aid workers with sticks and stones on Tuesday, frustrated after cold, howling winds swept away their tents and torrential rains flooded muddy streets overnight. Police said seven aid workers were injured. (AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon)</p><p>A Syrian refugee removes water and mud around his tent, at Zaatari Syrian refugee camp, near the Syrian border in Mafraq, Jordan, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. Syrian refugees in a Jordanian camp attacked aid workers with sticks and stones on Tuesday, frustrated after cold, howling winds swept away their tents and torrential rains flooded muddy streets overnight. Police said seven aid workers were injured. (AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon)</p><p>A Syrian refugee boy makes his way through flooded water at a temporary refugee camp, in the eastern Lebanese Town of Al-Faour near the border with Syria, Lebanon, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. Two Syrian refugee encampments in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa valley were completely immersed in water Tuesday after the Litani river flooded and the water came pouring into their tents. The flood forced dozens of Syrian refugees to leave in search for alternative shelter along with their water-soaked and muddied belongings. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)</p><p>Hiam al-Hussein, 23, from Syria’s war ravaged Homs district of Baba Amr, stands in flooded water at a temporary refugee camp, in the eastern Lebanese Town of Al-Faour near the border with Syria, Lebanon, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. Two Syrian refugee encampments in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa valley were completely immersed in water Tuesday after the Litani river flooded and the water came pouring into their tents. The flood forced dozens of Syrian refugees to leave in search for alternative shelter along with their water-soaked and muddied belongings. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)</p><p>A Syrian refugee man, right, gestures as he stands in flooded water at a temporary refugee camp, in the eastern Lebanese Town of Al-Faour near the border with Syria, Lebanon, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. Two Syrian refugee encampments in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa valley were completely immersed in water Tuesday after the Litani river flooded and the water came pouring into their tents. The flood forced dozens of Syrian refugees to leave in search for alternative shelter along with their water-soaked and muddied belongings. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)</p><p>A Syrian refugee man carries his baby as he makes his way through flooded water at a temporary refugee camp, in the eastern Lebanese Town of Al-Faour near the border with Syria, Lebanon, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. Two Syrian refugee encampments in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa valley were completely immersed in water Tuesday after the Litani river flooded and the water came pouring into their tents. The flood forced dozens of Syrian refugees to leave in search for alternative shelter along with their water-soaked and muddied belongings. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)</p><p>Palestinians help a man on their donkey cart to make their way in flooded water in Rafah? southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. In Gaza, civil defense spokesman Mohammed al-Haj Yousef said storms have cut electricity powering thousands of homes and rescuers were sent to evacuate dozens of people. (AP Photo/Eyad Baba)</p><p>A Palestinian rescue worker helps a boy cross a flooded street in Rafah southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. In Gaza, civil defense spokesman Mohammed al-Haj Yousef said storms have cut electricity powering thousands of homes and rescuers were sent to evacuate dozens of people. (AP Photo/Eyad Baba)</p><p>Palestinians cross a road flooded and swept away by heavy rains in the northern West Bank village of Kabatyeh, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. A Palestinian official says the fiercest storm to hit the area in a decade has claimed the lives of two West Bank women who drowned after their car was caught in a flash flood unleashed by torrential rains. (AP Photo/Mohammed Ballas)</p><p>Palestinians cross a road flooded and swept away by heavy rains in the northern West Bank village of Kabatyeh, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. A Palestinian official says the fiercest storm to hit the area in a decade has claimed the lives of two West Bank women who drowned after their car was caught in a flash flood unleashed by torrential rains. (AP Photo/Mohammed Ballas)</p><p>A Palestinian carries empty containers to a fuel station in preparation for in the southern West Bank village of Halhoul, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. A Palestinian official says the fiercest storm to hit the area in a decade has claimed the lives of two West Bank women who drowned after their car was caught in a flash flood unleashed by torrential rains. (AP Photo/Nasser Shiyoukhi)</p><p>Pakistani Anwar Ali, 13, center, and his brother Hamad, 8, sit around a fire to warm themselves from the cold, while waiting for customers to pose for a picture next to a snow statue they built on a roadside, in Murree, near Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)</p><p>Residences clean mud next to a pile of cars after a flood by torrential rains that hit the village of Bat Hefer, central Israel, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. About 200 homes were flooded and tens of cars were damaged by the flood. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)</p><p>Pakistani schoolchildren, walk to their school during a cold and foggy morning in Peshawar, Pakistan, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad)</p><p>Palestinians enjoy a snowball fight in the southern West Bank village of Halhoul, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. A Palestinian official says the fiercest storm to hit the area in a decade has claimed the lives of two West Bank women who drowned after their car was caught in a flash flood unleashed by torrential rains. (AP Photo/Nasser Shiyoukhi)</p><p>A doll covered with mud lies on the floor after a flood hit the village of Bat Hefer, central Israel, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. About 200 homes were flooded and tens of cars were damaged by the flood. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)</p><p>Palestinian firefighters prepare to remove a tree blocking a road in the West Bank city of Nablus, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. A Palestinian official says the fiercest storm to hit the area in a decade has claimed the lives of two West Bank women who drowned after their car was caught in a flash flood unleashed by torrential rains. (AP Photo / Nasser Ishtayeh)</p><p>Syrian refugee children have a snowball fight at the mountain town of Bhamdoun, east of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. The fiercest winter storm to hit the Middle East in years has unleashed flash flooding, strong winds and a snowstorm that killed six people in the past few days, according to the Lebanese Red Cross. The Lebanese mountains have been covered with record snow fall that has brought traffic to a standstill and shut down mountain passes across the country. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)</p><p>A doll covered with mud lies on the floor after a flood from torrential rain hit the village of Bat Hefer, central Israel, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. About 200 homes were flooded and tens of cars were damaged by the flash flood. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)</p><p>A Lebanese man clears snow in front of his shop at the mountain town of Bhamdoun, east of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. The fiercest winter storm to hit the Middle East in years has unleashed flash flooding, strong winds and a snowstorm that killed six people in the past few days, according to the Lebanese Red Cross. The Lebanese mountains have been covered with record snow fall that has brought traffic to a standstill and shut down mountain passes across the country. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)</p><p>A man walks on snow covered streets in the mountain town of Bhamdoun, east of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. The fiercest winter storm to hit the Middle East in years has unleashed flash flooding, strong winds and a snowstorm that killed six people in the past few days, according to the Lebanese Red Cross. The Lebanese mountains have been covered with record snow fall that has brought traffic to a standstill and shut down mountain passes across the country. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2012/12/03/15656479-un-calls-on-israel-to-open-nuclear-facilitieshttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2012/12/03/15656479-un-calls-on-israel-to-open-nuclear-facilitiesunmideastmiddle-eastnuclearworld-newsTue, 4 Dec 2012 03:28:28 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2012/11/26/15455283-pope-with-lebanon-cardinal-urges-regional-peacehttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2012/11/26/15455283-pope-with-lebanon-cardinal-urges-regional-peaceeumideastvaticanmiddle-eastpope-benedict-xviworld-newsMon, 26 Nov 2012 15:01:06 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>Pope Benedict XVI, center, delivers his blessing flanked by Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza, left, and his personal secretary Georg Gaenswein during an audience in the Paul VI hall at The Vatican, Monday Nov. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)</p><p>Newly elected cardinals James Harvey of the US, foreground, Bechara Boutros Rai of Lebanon, center, and Cleemis Thottunkal of India wait for the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI prior to an audience in the Paul VI hall at The Vatican, Monday Nov. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2012/11/23/15389546-two-powers-qatar-and-iran-try-to-sway-hamashttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2012/11/23/15389546-two-powers-qatar-and-iran-try-to-sway-hamasmideastmiddle-eastgazaworld-newsmlsuitorsFri, 23 Nov 2012 17:03:24 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>FILE- In this Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012 file photo, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani waves to the crowd as he and and Gaza's Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, not pictured, arrive for corner-stone laying ceremony of a Qatari funded rehabilitation center in Gaza City. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa, Pool, File)</p><p>FILE- In this Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012 file photo, the Emir of Qatar Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, second right, and Gaza's Hamas Prime minister Ismail Haniyeh, third left, arrive for the corner-stone laying ceremony of a new center providing artificial limbs, in Bait Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip. (AP Photo/Ali Ali, Pool, File)</p><p>In this picture taken on Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, an Iranian female worshipper holds an anti-Israeli placard, in a pro-Palestinian demonstration after Friday prayer, in Tehran, Iran. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)</p><p>In this picture taken on Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, Iranian worshippers hold posters showing supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini, in a pro-Palestinian demonstration after Friday prayer, in Tehran, Iran. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2012/11/22/15353833-analysis-with-cease-fire-us-pins-hopes-on-egypthttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2012/11/22/15353833-analysis-with-cease-fire-us-pins-hopes-on-egyptusmideastpoliticsanalysisunited-stateshosni-mubarakin-egyptif-egyptThu, 22 Nov 2012 07:50:00 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton deliver joint statements in Jerusalem, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012. A diplomatic push to end Israel's nearly weeklong offensive in the Gaza Strip gained momentum Tuesday. (AP Photo/Baz Ratner, Pool)</p><p>In this photo released by the Egyptian Presidency, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, center, meets with Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, right, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr, left, in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has arrived in Cairo in her diplomatic push to forge a truce between Israel and Gaza rulers of Hamas. Her visit comes hours after a bomb exploded on an Israeli bus in Tel Aviv, wounding several. Clinton is looking to piece together a deal to end Israel's weeklong offensive in the Gaza Strip. Clinton said the U.S. "strongly condemns" today's bus bombing, calling it a "terrorist attack." (AP Photo/Egyptian Presidency)</p><p>An Israeli soldier, left, hugs a comrade, center, to congratulate him for his birthday at a staging area near the Israel Gaza Strip Border, southern Israel, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012. A cease-fire agreement between Israel and the Gaza Strip's Hamas rulers took effect Wednesday night, bringing an end to eight days of the fiercest fighting in years and possibly signaling a new era of relations between the bitter enemies. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)</p><p>A Palestinian baby wears a Hamas bandana during a rally to celebrate the Israel-Hamas cease-fire in the Jebaliya refugee camp, north Gaza Strip, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012. Gaza residents cleared rubble and claimed victory on Thursday, just hours after an Egyptian-brokered truce between Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers ended the worst cross-border fighting in four years. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2012/11/21/15340407-cameramen-deaths-by-israeli-fire-raises-questionshttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2012/11/21/15340407-cameramen-deaths-by-israeli-fire-raises-questionsmideastfireunderjournalistsworld-newsmlhamas-tvWed, 21 Nov 2012 20:18:53 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2012/11/20/15297836-obama-sends-clinton-to-mideast-amid-gaza-crisishttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2012/11/20/15297836-obama-sends-clinton-to-mideast-amid-gaza-crisisusmideastmiddle-eastbarack-obamaworld-newsasstate-hillary-rodham-clintonTue, 20 Nov 2012 07:49:19 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>U.S. President Barack Obama, second from left, speaks as he meets with Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda during the East Asia Summit at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012. On the left is U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)</p><p>U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton takes her seat at the beginning of a meeting between U.S. President Barack Obama, second from left, and Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, second from right, during the East Asia Summit at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012. At right is Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yukio Edano. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)</p><p>U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, left, holds a bilateral meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during the East Asia Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) </p>