Iran's Internal Politics

Is the complex political system that Ayatollah Khomeini bequeathed to Iran in turmoil? This article considers what this predicament means for the Iranian electorate and external efforts to open up the country's political space

With Bus Segregation Israeli Apartheid Becomes More Blatant

Israel's continued disregard for Palestinians is yet again highlighted in its latest segregation of the region's bus system—modern day apartheid at its finest. Especially problematic is the fact that the bus system is a public service

Settlements Still Blocking Middle East Peace Agreement

Obama's visit to Israel was a great success, but don't expect peace between Israelis and Palestinians anytime soon. So now we may have more cordial relations. But settlements continue to be the main thing blocking any Palestinian peace deal

Bin Laden's Influence Lives on After Him

A day will undoubtedly come when Osama bin Laden will occupy the same place in 21st century history as Gavrilo Princip holds in the history of the 20th Century. Both committed acts that provoked great wars, brought down empires and profoundly altered their times

The Honorable Absurdity of a Soldier's Role

There is no sign anywhere of a New Middle East. There are only intimations of more American-supported war to come, likely to involve Iran, Iraq, Syria or Lebanon -- as well as continued war, in and after 2014, in Afghanistan

Israel's Insightful Cynicism

Israel is in the process of watching a peace treaty unravel. I don't mean the one with Egypt, but the one with Syria. No, I'm not crazy. Since Henry Kissinger's shuttle diplomacy in 1974, the Israelis have had a de facto peace agreement of sorts with the al Assad family

Israeli Apology to Turkey Big First Step But Not Sea Change

After several years of mutual silence, Turkey and Israel are talking to each other again. However, this latest rapprochement owes more to US diplomatic efforts than a genuine desire by Ankara and Tel Aviv to reset diplomatic relations

Promoting Peace, But Fueling War in Syria

The international community largely supports the United States and Saudi Arabia on Syria: hope for peace, but failing that, throw more money at the conflict

Americans Fear Iran, But There is Much to Learn From Cuba

A recent Gallup poll says that 99% of the American public now has become convinced that Iran's civilian nuclear program will threaten 'the vital interests of the United States in the next ten years.' 83% say this will be 'a critical threat.' Why?

Abu Ghraib Revisited

Philip Zimbardo's TED Talk on Abu Ghraib and 'The Psychology of Evil' is up to 2,374,000 hits. Apparently people are hungry to know about the deep psychology of American foreign policy

Western Intervention in Syria Long Overdue

Syria is fast becoming the new Somalia -- a nation whose central government wields little control over the bulk of the country while feuding sects and gangs fight each other as well as the thoroughly discredited president, Bashar al-Assad

The Somaliazation of Syria

As Syria's civil war enters its third year, the country's humanitarian crisis worsens each day. Unless a tactical shift in the balance of power occurs, it is unlikely that either the regime or the rebels will gain control of Syria's entire territory

Is Egypt Being Primed for a Coup?

When an important opposition leader hints that a military coup might be preferable to the current chaos, and when a major financial organization proposes an economic program certain to spark a social explosion, something is afoot

Iraq: Bush's War, 10 Years Later

The 10th anniversary of the American invasion of Iraq seems an appropriate time to look back at how it all happened and what it has wrought, not so much for Iraq as for the United States, which poured its own troops, treasure and world reputation into that colossal misadventure

Iraq: Soul Poison

We've lost a war without being able to surrender -- and thus divest ourselves of the consciousness that got us into it. We are unable to look honestly at what we did and why, and determine not to do it again. Ten years later, how do we get the poison out of our system?

Evidence of Syrian Cluster Bomb Use

The Syrian government says it does not use cluster bombs against rebels or civilians. Human rights groups, however, say they have accumulated an array of evidence that are proving otherwise

Syrian Rebels Capture Most of Key City

A Syrian watchdog group is reporting that rebels battling troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have taken over large parts of the northern city of Raqa after days of fierce fighting

Iranian Nuclear Program World's 'Greatest Challenge'

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak says Iran's nuclear program is the biggest challenge facing Israel, the Middle East and the world, and that 'all options' remain open to addressing possible atomic weapons development

Iraq in Figures

A look at Iraq by the numbers, the impact of war in Iraq on the United States and the Iraqi population

Is the American Shadow War Helping Yemen?

The U.S. assessment seems to be that there is not enough 'blowback' to its counterterrorism operations to warrant a policy shift. But for many Yemenis, America's shadow war is out of step with their aspirations for democracy and the rule of law

Military Interventions Rarely Fulfill Their Goals

Military interventions by powerful nations into lesser ones, such as now continues in Mali (and Afghanistan), and is being urged by many into the Syrian civil war, are inherently reckless since even the most powerful states can have the whole project blow up on them

Self-Interested Leaders Roil Chaos in Middle East

The Middle East along with the larger Islamic world are the perfect demonstration of a 'world on fire'. When have we ever seen such widespread turmoil, destruction and death as we are witnessing right now?

Iraq: Problems in the Pipeline

The first year of Iraqi autonomous political rule since US troop withdrawal was, to put it delicately, complex. While some of the challenges are inherent, the issues affecting long-term stability have not been dealt with in any meaningful way

Iraq: Three Costly Lessons from the Invasion

Ten years on from the US-led invasion of Iraq what are the prospects for this fractured country and can oil wealth end its misery? If one had to reflect on what lessons might be learnt from the sequence of events in Iraq one could identify three

'The Gatekeepers'

In 'The Gatekeepers,' filmmaker Dror Moreh has come up with a profoundly humane political documentary for a different, smarter, humane way forward in the Middle East. This may not be the movie Israel's right wing would've commissioned. For anyone else it's an eye-opener

Palestinians Hope to Tell Their Story Through the Oscars

'5 Broken Cameras' is one of five candidates for the Oscar in the Best Documentary Feature category this year. Palestinians hope this Oscar-nominated documentary depicting a non-violent struggle against Israel will succeed in telling their story

Algeria: Return of the Arab Strongman

Algeria, the biggest country in Africa, played an eerily subdued role in the Arab Spring. It is only now, two years since a wave of popular uprisings spread across the Middle East and North Africa, that Algeria has become a focus of world interest

Syrians Risk Their Health to Keep Warm

Residents of Syrian towns that have run out of heating oil say they are getting sick after resorting to burning crude oil to keep warm. The nearly two-year conflict in Syria made fuel widely unavailable

One Day The World Will Thank Bush For Shaking Up The Arab Region

The worst type of history is that inspired by political rivalry. The Iraq story is no exception; the received wisdom is largely shaped by Democrats vilifying the legacy of George W. Bush. The result is that most of the criticism focuses on the invasion itself and its aftermath

Iraq: Washington Looks Away

It is more than a year since the last American troops withdrew from Iraq and America's goals in Iraq appear contradictory. Iraq seems to be fading from the US consciousness with extraordinary speed. So where does that leave the US - Iraqi relationship today?

Anti-Morsi Fervor Grows Despite Shift in Election Dates

Whether it's angry Copts or the ongoing demonstrations against his rule, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi continues to face growing challenges and growing nationwide unrest

Egypt's Turmoil Makes Life Tougher for Refugees

Life in Egypt for refugees has moved from bad to worse after the revolution. Refugees and migrants are frequently the victims of unprovoked arrests and disappearances, while also struggling to feed themselves and pay rent

Will Morsi Face Mubarak's Fate in Egypt?

As Egyptians celebrated the second anniversary of former President Hosni Mubarak's ouster, protests organized by opposition groups continued against the rule of Mubarak successor Mohamed Morsi, whom some believe will meet Mubarak's fate

Syrian Citizens Stuck Between Regime's Rock and the Rebels' Hard Place

There is no doubt that the regime of Bashaar al-Assad is responsible for killing tens of thousands of Syrian citizens and destroying much of the country's infrastructure. But to say that is to say only part of the story

Syrian Refugees in Iraq Face Harsh Winter

As the conflict in Syria approaches its second anniversary, the number of refugees crossing into Iraq continues to rise. Relief groups are no longer able to provide aid to Syrian families who are facing dire winter conditions

Syrian Businesses Take Refuge in Jordan as War Ravages Aleppo

Aleppo's industrial zone and the old city have become increasingly difficult places to do business as the fighting in Syria becomes more intense, sending production costs skyrocketing and looting

Iraq's Sadr Demands 'Fair Implementation' of National Security Laws

Radical Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has called for the fair implementation of national security laws that have drawn weeks of protests from minority Sunnis who see them as biased

Jordanian King's Uncle Said to Flee Country for Alleged Corruption

King Abdullah II's uncle, Waleed Kurdi, has reportedly fled to England at the royal family's urging to avoid prosecution for allegedly stealing hundreds of millions of dollars

Jerusalem Residents Rejoice: 'Let it Snow, Let it Snow'

Residents of the Holy City woke up to a blanket of white as some six inches of snow fell overnight, the largest snowfall since 1992. Schools were cancelled, businesses closed and joyful children rejoiced

Egyptian Court Orders Retrial for Mubarak

Supporters chanted slogans in favor of deposed president outside courtroom; opponents, families of protesters killed during 2011 revolution demonstrated nearby

Hagel Nomination Raises Hopes for Improved Iran - U.S. Relations

Iran's foreign ministry issued a statement saying Tehran hopes that Chuck Hagel will change U.S. foreign policy towards Iran and 'favor peace instead of warmongering'

Women Struggle to Find Their Role in Syrian Revolution

Salima Hamid jerked her hips to the musical chants as the older male youths clapped their hands. Behind them in the crowd, Amal Nuran and her head-scarf-covered friends exchanged pictures snapped at the day's anti-regime rally

Iran's Survival Strategy

Iran's leaders are the first to admit that Western sanctions have had a devastating impact on the country, but they're confident they can ride out the storm

Egyptians Struggle to Keep Hope

There has been so much change in Egypt in the past two years, it is sometimes hard to remember how little there was for so long. Hosni Mubarak's near 30-year rule was a weight that seemed, to many, impossible to lift

Russia Calls for Political Transition in Syria

Russia is calling for a political transition process in Syria, but has stopped short of saying President Bashar al-Assad should relinquish power as part of a deal to end Syria's conflict

Iran Willing to Resume Nuclear Talks as Sanctions Bite Hard

Iran says it is prepared to return to talks with major world powers over its nuclear program. As Iran's uranium enrichment program continues, Western countries have tightened economic sanctions against Tehran

Saudi 90-year-old and 15-year-old Bride Divorce

A 15-year-old Saudi girl married off by her parents to a 90-year-old Saudi man against her will won a divorce with the help of a human rights group

Tweeter Sentenced to Jail for Insulting Kuwaiti Emir

Kuwait sentenced a local tweeter for criticizing the ruling emir on his Twitter account. Ayyad al-Harbi was released on bail while he appeals the verdict

Assad Address Rallies Syrians to Unite and Fight 'Enemies'

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad made a public address calling his countrymen to unite and defend the country against a 'bunch of criminals' and 'enemies of God' armed by Western 'puppets'

Call for Investigation into Post-Revolution Deaths in Egypt

Clashes during the second anniversary of the revolution which deposed Egypt's former president Hosni Mubarak have brought the number of Egyptians killed since the uprising began to at least 1,085

Egypt's Hazardous Roads and Railways

Egypt should invest more in modernizing its roads and railways if it wants to bring down the shockingly high number of accidents and fatalities

Israel's First-Timers Position for Their 'Moments' in New Government

The second phase of the Israeli election ritual is underway with the president's mandate to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to form a government

Failure of Syria Talks Signal Conflict May Be Long Struggle

Analysts say a solution could be a long time coming. ​Through the 21-plus months of Syria's civil war, there has been no shortage of diplomacy, but a significant shortage of progress

Syrian Government and Rebels Swapping Civilian and Iranian Prisoners

The Syrian government is releasing 2,130 mostly Syrian prisoners in exchange for 48 Iranians whom rebels released earlier

Morsi Seeks Release of Blind Preacher from U.S. Prison

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi will ask U.S. President Barack Obama to release from a North Carolina prison a blind Muslim preacher when he visits Washington

Israel Vows to Build in West Bank Site After Evicting Protesters

Police and soldiers moved into a Palestinian tent camp just outside Jerusalem, evacuating about 100 squatters

Israeli MP Proposes Paying Palestinians $500,000 Each to Leave West Bank

An Israeli parliamentarian has proposed paying each Arab $500,000 to leave Israeli-occupied West Bank using defense funds

Syria: Is the World Waiting for Genocide?

From Nazi Germany to Rwanda, some of the most inhumane atrocities and genocides were committed while the rest of the world was watching. Today we are all witnessing the atrocities and mass destruction in Syria

Egypt: The Roundabout Road Back To Tahrir

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi may have inadvertently provided his critics with a temporary unifying device

Egypt and the Strategic Balance

Egypt is the largest Arab country and one that has been the traditional center of the Arab world. Equally important, if Egypt's domestic changes translate into shifts in its foreign policy, it could affect the regional balance of power for decades to come

Every Day Brings New Drama in the Middle East

The UN vote on Palestine was a most amazing event. Only nine of 193 nations voted against the motion. What made this so striking is that most prognosticators had guessed that, after the Gaza conflict, Palestinians would muster less sympathy

Healthcare System Crumbling in Syria as War Rages

The conflict in Syria has taken tens of thousands of lives, destroyed entire neighbourhoods and sent hundreds of thousands of people fleeing. But more quietly, it has also eaten away at the country's healthcare system

Syria: Al Assad's Last Stand

It is no longer possible to accurately depict Bashar al Assad as the ruler of Syria. At this point, he is merely the head of a large and powerful armed force, albeit one that still controls a significant portion of the country

Libya: Gaddafi's Guns Trigger Collapse

In their planning to support the Libyan revolution, Western powers appear to have neglected the impact on its sub-Saharan neighbours. This gap in thinking may reflect the institutional gulf in foreign ministries between sections focused on the Middle East and North Africa

When Terrorists 'Killed' in Drone Strikes Aren't Really Dead

Is 'killed by a drone strike' the new 'alive and well'? If you pay close enough attention, it makes you wonder what's really going on. Here's how this charade usually goes

Global Governance at Heart of Failed Foreign Policies

Global governance has yet to prove its relevance to any civilization except that of the post-Enlightenment West, and one can question its relevance there. Political identity remains bound to national history -- the fundamental underpinning of sovereignty

Gaza Clash Reveals Morsi's True Colors

The chameleon -- Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi -- is finally showing his true self: a Muslim Brotherhood fundamentalist who is contemptuous of the West, hates Israel and wants to turn Egypt into a fully Islamic state

What Exacly Would Israel Like to Do with Its Palestinian Population?

What exactly is it that Israel intends to do with the Palestinians now in the territories that it has just opened for home construction for Jewish settlers, thereby extending its policy of occupying and annexing what are legally Palestinian lands?

T-ball War in the Middle East

Contemporary T-ball war works out like this: A far weaker Gaza sends a shower of missiles into Israel, hiding its launchers among civilians to ensure collateral damage and favorable propaganda during Israeli retaliation

Syrian Chemical Weapons Threat Eerily Familiar?

Military gas has claimed a major place in discussion of the civil war in Syria. The Syrian government has admitted to holding major stocks of gas in or near the areas of fighting the insurrectionary movement

Egypt: Dark Shadows

Egypt could well embrace the dark side and become the region's biggest force for extremism, just ahead of the Wahaabists in Saudi Arabia, though Iran with its race toward nuclear weapons poses the most immediate danger

Tunisia and the Struggles Of Drafting a New Constitution

The view that Islam and democracy are incompatible is gaining strength in the western world. How can Tunisia prove the skeptics wrong?

To The Brink Again for Israel and Gaza

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian President Bashar Al Assad have an important thing in common: When a part of the populations under their control rise up against them, they do not negotiate or compromise

Egypt's 'Moderate' Despot

Many Western observers have been in denial about what has been going on. In less than half a year, Mohamed Morsi has deftly built the foundation for despotism

'Pharaoh' Morsi

As with most dictatorships, Egypt had an election and it could be its last "free" one. Morsi's government is now about the business of suppressing dissent, a familiar practice among dictators

Egypt, Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula

The Gaza conflict comes at an interesting time in Egyptian-Israeli relations. Cairo recently saw the Muslim Brotherhood candidate assume the Egyptian presidency, while in the past two years Israel has approved Egyptian military increases in the Sinai Peninsula

Iran's Agenda in the Gaza Offensive

Iran needed a distraction from the conflict in Syria. It now has that, at least temporarily. Iran also needed to revise its relationship with Hamas and demonstrate that it retains leverage through militant groups in the Palestinian territories

The Impact of Syrian Refugees on Turkey and Jordan

The Syrian crisis poses problems not only for refugees. The host states themselves are wary of the social, economic and political pressures their new guests have brought. Here we look at the effects on Jordan and Turkey

Netanyahu Foolish to Take Sides in American Election

Benjamin Netanyahu is so eager to see Mitt Romney elected president that he's making a fool of himself

The Unfolding Human Catastrophe in Iran

When the United States and its allies began imposing sanctions on Iran to persuade its leaders to reconsider their policy toward its nuclear program, they promised the world that the sanctions would be 'smart' and 'targeted'

Lighting Iran's Nuclear Fuse

The Iranian nuclear crisis is, in many ways, the story of missed opportunities borne of bad timing and diplomatic failure

Divine Right Won't Save the Arab Kings

The legacy of tradition will not guarantee that sovereigns are immune forever. One of the lessons of the Arab awakenings has been that a heavy-handed state response to protests can lead to an escalation in protesters' demands

Groundhog Day: Middle East Version

In the film 'Groundhog Day,' Bill Murray wakes up each morning and relives the previous day. A similar scenario is playing out in the Middle East between Israel and her enemies

Netanyahu Foolish to Take Sides in American Election

Benjamin Netanyahu is so eager to see Mitt Romney elected president that he's making a fool of himself

Iraq: Ten Years Without a Ministry of Information

It is almost a year since the last US troops pulled out of Baghdad, so can Afghanistan learn any lessons from the state of Iraq's media sector?

Israel's Netanyahu Continues to Burn Bridges

Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have never been friendly. But then Netanyahu openly supported Mitt Romney for president, the first time an Israeli prime minister has so publicly taken sides

Fast Food on the Frontline

While the appetite for cheap and tasty fare offers an ever-expanding market, the business climate in the Muslim world has a habit of turning nasty for outlets of America's fast-food chains

'Responsibility to Protect' After Libya

'Responsibility to Protect' is a doctrine which aims to end impunity for the perpetrators of atrocities such as those being committed in Syria. Gareth Evans, explains why the UN is now powerless to stop the bloodshed, and offers ideas on restoring consensus

Lebanon: Lessons from Two Assassinations

As evidenced by the assassinations in Beirut, any type of protective security program can be defeated if it allows potential attackers to operate freely against it. The solution lies in denying potential attackers that advantage

The Unfolding Human Catastrophe in Iran

When the United States and its allies began imposing sanctions on Iran to persuade its leaders to reconsider their policy toward its nuclear program, they promised the world that the sanctions would be 'smart' and 'targeted'

Iran's Ahmadinejad Cannot Deny His Own Words

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has downplayed his previous statements, but a quick look at Iran's government media leaves little doubt about the true nature of the Iranian regime

Western Sanctions Not Enough to Sway Iran from Enrichments

Western sanctions on Iran are as comprehensive and punishing as they have ever been. And yet they haven't worked and probably never will

The Truth Behind the New Islamic Flashpoints

The CIA claims that it never saw the storm coming, but Canadian intelligence sure did

The Islamophobe Fringe

The deeper reason for the heated response to 'Innocence of Muslims' from the Muslim world is not so much Western rhetoric but Western policy

Who Needs Reform Most: Egypt or America?

It isn't the policies and attitude of the United States toward the Arab world that need changing. It's the attitude and policies of the Arab world that need to change

Egypt's President Reasserts His Country's Sovereignty in World Affairs

President Morsi has been looked upon with some apprehension, suspected of supplying a modest and accommodating facade for a movement considered to be committed to a fundamentalist version of Islam

Middle Eastern Governments Continue to Let Their People Down

The anti-American foment sweeping through the Middle East demonstrates that the new governments, and the older but chastened ones, are still letting them down

War and Bluff: Iran, Israel and the United States

Speeches, rhetoric and emotions aside, intensifying psychological pressure on Iran is more likely than war

Democratized Media Meets the Arab Political Awakening

Recent events in the Middle East only forewarn of future turmoil as the democratization of the media in the West meets the political awakening in the Arab world

America Should Not Apologize for its Values which Clash with a Hostile Islam

Ayaan Hirsi Ali, author of 'Infidel,' the political ideology embedded in Islam that makes no room for any criticism of its foundational father and sacred texts

Middle East Madness

Muslim mobs took to the streets to murder the American ambassador in Libya and three of his staffers. American embassies were attacked from Egypt to Yemen

Libya: From Gadhafi to Benghazi

The killing of four American diplomatic personnel in Libya exposes the consequences of the Arab Spring uprisings

The Humpty-Dumpty Middle East

The United States is backing off from the Middle East -- and the Middle East from the United States

Possible Stalemate in Syria Lesser of Two Evils

The major threat in the Middle East to international peace is Syria's civil war, not the rhetorical battles between Iran and an Israel that claims to be straining against its American leash

The Price of Freedom

If extremists learn the lesson that we will abandon a core principle because they throw tantrums or even commit murder, what does that tell them about us? What might we next be bullied into doing?

Tension Grows Between Israel and US Over Whether or When To Attack

The question has morphed from 'Should Israel attack Iran to try to stop its nuclear program?' to 'When will Israel attack Iran to try to stop its nuclear program?'

Targeting Tribal Leaders: A New Militant Tactic in Sinai

Militants in the Sinai have targeted tribal leaders, though whether this is wise remains to be seen

On the Ground in Syria

As soon as we were on Syrian land, we were quickly greeted by the cruelties of war. Thousands of Syrians who had fled their homes in recent days are stranded along the border

The Israeli Crisis

Israel faces a crisis stemming from unraveling regional strategies, a lack of confidence and a political system incapable of unity

Jewish Refugees Re-emerge as Issue for Israel-Palestinian Peace

A conference in Jerusalem has launched an element new to the mix of public battle: the rights of 850,000 Jewish refugees forced from Arab countries between 1948 and 1951

Islam's Walls of Language

One cultural problem is Muslim theocracy, a fundamental element in Islam. The Quran's authority over all of society has been a barrier to political and social progress

Obama Sides With An Unlikely Ally in Syria

The Obama administration has authorized covert support of rebel groups, with the goal of destabilizing al-Assad. The interesting consequence is that al-Qaeda is among the groups the directive now supports

Money Talks as Islamic Tourism Opens New Markets

These days, more and more Muslim travelers are looking for the 'halal' label on hotels, restaurants and even airlines when they travel

King of Jordan Halts Fuel Price Increase

King Abdullah II of Jordan has stepped in to stop the government from imposing an increase on gasoline prices, a move apparently aimed at easing growing public discontent over the government's economic policy

Syria's Turmoil is Internal, But Meddling Could Inflame Middle East

The unclarified mystery about the struggle in Syria is what it is all about. Did it begin in repercussion to the Arab uprisings elsewhere? Or is there a sinister external explanation?

The Specter of Syrian Chemical Weapons

One potential geopolitical consequence has garnered a great deal of media attention in recent days: the possibility of the al Assad regime in Syria regime losing control of its chemical weapons stockpile

Syria: Iraqi Ironies

Amid all the stories about the ongoing violence in Syria, the most disturbing is the possibility that Syrian President Bashar Assad could either deploy chemical and biological weapons, or provide it to terrorists

Strategic Dialogue: Syria

In this strategic dialogue about Syria, Islam Qasem and Phyllis Bennis square off on the question of military intervention in Syria

Military Intervention in Syria: Yes

Islam Qasem argues that the United States and other countries should stop making excuses and intervene to save Syrian civilians

Military Intervention in Syria: No

Phyllis Bennis argues that military intervention in Syria would only make a civil war that much worse

Divided Military Threatens Yemen Transition to Democracy

When Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh agreed to step down, many hoped Yemen was on the road to democracy. But much of the country's military remains loyal to Saleh

African Migrants and the Israeli Apartheid Debate

Located in southern Tel Aviv, Hatikva was the site of the worst race riots since Israel's founding. Egged on by Likud Party politicians, local Jewish residents brutally assaulted migrants and looted their stores

BRICs Should Focus on their Own Problems

As the world struggles to deal with its two largest foreign-affairs dilemmas, Syria and Iran, resolutely standing in the way are the BRICs

Syria's Wealthy Dragged into Revolt

The violence that has gripped much of the country finally arrived in Damascus. The so-called Free Syrian Army mounted a campaign of attacks on government buildings in Syria's capital

Syria Threatens to Use Chemical Arms Against External Aggression

Syrian Foreign Ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi said that the government troops would not hesitate in using chemical weapons if it faces a foreign attack

Fighting in Syrian Capital Adds to Growing Displacement Challenge

Fighting in the Syrian capital Damascus has added to a growing problem of displacement within Syria, with the SARC now estimating that 1.5 million people are displaced across the country

Consequences of the Fall of the Syrian Regime

A new regime might emerge that could exercise control. On the other hand, Syria could collapse into a Lebanon situation in which it disintegrates into regions held by various factions

Attacking Syria Is No-Win Situation for Turkey

Negotiating with the various factions in Syria would infuse Turkey with national pride and international prestige

Netanyahu Has Little to Fear From Kadima's Desertion

Shaul Mofaz, leader of the Israeli political party Kadima, offered his rationale for leaving the Knesset majority they'd made possible when they joined Netanyahu's Likud-led coalition

Israel's Mass-Coalition Fails to Sustain as Last-in Becomes First-Out

Shaul Mofaz, chairman of the centrist Kadima party, abruptly pulled out of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition

The Palestinian Authority's Legitimacy Problem

The Palestinian Authority has total control over neither its own funds nor its security forces

Good Mideast Dictators

It is often said that the Arab Spring proves American support for Middle Eastern autocrats for more than half a century was wrong because the policy did not bring peace or stability. Nonsense

Syria: The End of the Beginning

The bombing that killed Syrian Defense Minister Daoud Rahja may have been the handiwork of defectors from President Assad's inner circle

Considering a Sunni Regime in Syria

This is a useful moment to think seriously about the regional implications should Syria return to Sunni hands. In particular, we would like to examine what such a scenario would mean for Iran

Bahrain, Shouting in the Dark

A new documentary portrays the least famous and least successful of the Arab Spring revolts

In Egypt, Morsi's Silence Speaks Volumes

Mohammed Morsi has been Egypt's president for less than a month, and already senior clerics in his country and around the Islamic world are loudly calling for the demolition of the pyramids

Nawaf Fares Becomes First Syrian Envoy to Abandon President Assad

Syria's ambassador to Iraq Nawaf Fares became the first Syrian diplomat to abandon President Bashar al-Assad's government in wake of civilian violence

Will Syria Cause a Divorce Between Iran and Turkey?

Turkey and Iran don't see eye to eye on Syria. But their mutual interests in other arenas temper their disagreements

Hillary Clinton Moves to Bear Hug Egyptian Leader

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton heads to Cairo for a two-day visit that aims to give a hearty handshake to the new Islamist president and move to temper any radical moves by his government

Egyptian Revolution Frozen in Its Tracks

A year and a half after the Tahir Square uprising, the Egyptian military used its power to offer the Egyptian people the same electoral non-choices they have had in the past

Time to Turn the Page on Egypt

If we truly believe in the value of democracy, the value of freedom, and the power of the people's voice, we will support Egypt and its new president

Has the Developing World Abandoned Iran?

Iran can no longer count on its partners in the developing world in its standoff with the West

Negotiations Behind U.S. Sanctions Against Iran

Iran's response to sanctions deadlines has been relatively nonchalant. It suggests that the American-led sanctions are likely a sideshow to a much more serious negotiation in play

Archaeology and the Israel-Palestine Conflict

Despite the seismic changes occurring throughout the Middle East, the Israel-Palestine conflict seems frozen in amber. The politicization of archaeology by both sides merely reinforces the status quo

Israel is Swamped with Singles

Israelis are known for their gregarious behavior and love nothing more than spending time with their group of close friends. It's a trait that is wreaking havoc among the quickly mushrooming singles population

Kurds Could Hold Key in Syria

In an effort to broaden its appeal among Syria's diverse ethnic groups, the largest Syrian opposition group has selected a Kurd as its new leader. But it is not yet clear whether it will be enough to convince Kurdish political parties to be more defiant against President Bashar Al-Assad's regime

The Questions Raised By the Deepening Crisis With Syria

After the Syrian downing of a Turkish air force jet, some things are becoming clear. Turkey, while refraining from doing anything rash and doing all it can to get international and NATO backing for its diplomatic efforts, is also leaving itself with a military option for responding to Syria's action

Iran Wants Turkey and Syria to Resolve Jet-Downing Issue Diplomatically

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi urged Syria and Turkey to peacefully resolve their differences for the sake of security in the region

Downing of Israeli-Upgraded Turkish Jet Reveals Syria's Lethality

When Syria shot down an Israeli-upgraded Turkish fighter jet it was delivering a message that the air force, despite the defection of a senior pilot a day earlier, was still in control and a force to be reckoned with

The Arab Spring in the Long Run

It was hoped that the Arab Spring would bring freedom and democracy to the Middle East and North Africa. However, continued unrest in Libya and Syria points to a potentially bleaker future for the region

Insurgency and the Protracted War

Insurgent forces have been forced to withdraw from territories they once held. Loss of territory will not mean an end to insurgent forces. The reason for this rests in the very nature of insurgent warfare

Israeli Governement Shaken By Social Protesters Focus on Military Service

Israel's government is shaken by public demands for equal army service including Israeli Arabs and 'ultra-religious'

Israel: Defense Budget vs Social Justice

One of the major results of the social justice protests in Israel in the last year has been a renewed debate about the budgetary priorities of the state

Palestinian Businessmen Searching for New Markets

From furniture to cosmetics to food, dozens of Palestinian companies are seeking new markets in Jordan. Palestinian companies were in Amman for the first-ever exhibition in Jordan

Hamas Demolishes Abu Amra Houses in Gaza

Hamas police forces brought in bulldozers to begin demolishing houses belonging to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, forcibly evicting the families authorities said were squatting on government land

Is the Arab Spring Over?

Whatever may be the eventual outcome in Syria, there is no denying the fact that for all practical purposes the dream of establishing democracy and the rule of law and the institution of human rights in the Arab World is almost over

A 'Responsibility to Protect' in Syria

The continuing massacres in Syria present a horrid picture far more disturbing than we saw in Bosnia during the 1990s, before NATO intervened

Why is Putin Protecting Assad's Regime?

Putin's support for the Assad regime will have long-term cost implications for Russia

Any International Syrian Solution is Tangled Up in Russia

The Russians could be very useful in finding a settlement and seem to ask simply that their own interests in the Middle East be respected

sAre Syria's Rebels Getting Foreign Support?

Studying a group's progress in bombmaking can tell us much about the group and whether it's receiving outside training

Why Iran Should Get the Bomb

U.S. and Israeli officials have declared that a nuclear-armed Iran is a uniquely terrifying prospect, even an existential threat. In fact, by creating a more durable balance of military power in the Middle East, a nuclear Iran would yield more stability, not less

Deterrence Lessons From Iraq

Debates about the possibility of containing a nuclear Iran often hinge on judgments of whether the regime there is rational. But even an arguably rational leader can be unreasonable -- and very hard to deter

Human Rights Activist Nabeel Rajab Jailed for Tweeting in Bahrain

More than a dozen security officials converged on human rights activist Nabeel Rajab's Manama home and forcibly placed him under arrest

US Fights Terror in Yemen on Economic Front But Cynicism Remains

Not all Yemeni citizens trust the American commitment. Shiite Houthis believe that this assistance is just a pretext for the US military presence in Yemen

In Balkans Support for Syria Builds

The conflict in Syrian hits home for many in the Balkans as the diaspora and locals start to mobilise support

Global Peace Index Bad for Middle East and North Africa

While the world has become more peaceful for the first time since 2009, the Middle East and North Africa has now surpassed sub-Saharan Africa as the least peaceful region on earth

Putin's Visit and Israeli-Russian Relations

The interesting thing about Israel and Russia is that while they seem to be operating in the same areas of interest and their agendas seem disconnected, their interests are not always opposed

To Protest Rising Prices, Iranians Boycotting Grocery Stores

The international sanctions against Iran were designed to punish the country for the continuing efforts to develop its controversial nuclear program. But it appears the sanctions are also starting to impact the daily life of average Iranians

Resurgent Arab Nationalism in Egypt?

Egypt's Islamists carry widespread support throughout the country. Nonetheless, the surge of enthusiasm for Hamdeen Sabahi demonstrates the growing strength of Nasserism in post-Mubarak Egypt

Egypt's New President Faces Lengthy Economic Agenda

By almost every measure, Egypt is in deep trouble: economic growth has stagnated, foreign currency reserves are down to dangerous levels, the government has a yawning budget deficit and political uncertainty remains overwhelming

Jordanian Islamists Seek to Emulate Morsi's Victory

The Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan celebrated the election of Islamist Mohamed Morsi as president of Egypt as if he was one of their own, opening their offices across the kingdom to hand out sweets and gloat before shocked Jordanian authorities

Carnage in the Streets of Iraq

Attacks from Iraq's Sunni militant groups are unlikely to provoke Shia reprisals. But what the violence can do is increase the chances that Iraqis will lose complete faith in their political leaders

Riots Signal Trouble for Tunisia's Islamist Leadership

Tunisia is straining, pulled on one side by violence in the streets and campuses and on the other by political paralysis in parliament

Saudi Arabia's Aged Stability Rocking

The biggest and richest country in the Arabian peninsula is also one of its potentially unstable ones because of its aging Saudi monarchy that needs to change fast in order to face the threat of the Arab Spring

The United Nations is Failing Syria

Now is the time for the world's leaders to show support for human rights in practice, not just words

Syria: America vs. Israel?

Washington should remember the lessons of blowback and avoid intervention in Syria

The Other Case for Intervention in Syria

Syrians face another threat beyond the massacre of its civilians by the Assad regime

Syria's Atamans

While Syria's opposition -- in larger part due to international inaction -- faces these pitfalls at present, it is Damascus's forces that bear the greatest resemblance to these long-dead atamans

The Continuing Threat of Libyan Missiles

We have seen Tuareg militants, previously employed by the regime of former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, leave Libya with sizable stockpiles of weapons and returning to northern Mali, where they have successfully wrested control of the region away from the Malian government

Egypt's Path Winds Toward Democracy

Egypt's presidential election ought to be celebrated as a great success for the forces of democracy in Egypt and the Arab world

Diplomacy Is the Only Way Forward with Iran

The parties must come to a compromise through negotiations

When Nuclear Weapons Programs Fail to Ripen

The West needs to give states with weak institutions space while they sabotage their own nuclear-weapons scientists by micro-managing and strong-arming them

Why Nuclear Weapons Programs Often Fail on Their Own and Why Iran's Might, Too

Many share the assumption that unless outside powers intervene in a dramatic fashion, it is inevitable that Iran will achieve its nuclear goals. Yet there is another possibility

Are Nuclear Weapons Really a 'Big Sin' to Iran's Supreme Leader?

Does Iran's Ayatollah Khameini or doesn't he condone nuclear weapons?

The West Negotiates with Iran

The success of future nuclear talks between Iran and the West will depend in part on whether the West is able to treat Iran as an equal in word as well as in deed

Why Iran Will Compromise

The possibility that the government of Iran will agree to a compromise has grown considerably

Kuwait Debates Death for Blasphemers

A Kuwaiti man accused of using Twitter to defame the Prophet Muhammad has ignited a debate in the tiny but wealthy Gulf country about imposing the death penalty for the crime of blasphemy

Iran's Strategy

The dilemma facing Iran has been guaranteeing national survival and autonomy in the face of stronger regional powers

The Last Straw for Iran's Economy?

Anybody familiar with the Iranian economy - whether before or after the recent US and EU sanctions were stepped up - will be skeptical of simplistic judgments

Iran: The Undersea World of Ali Khamenei

In the middle of all the discussion of the possibility of attacks on Iran, one factor in particular has been largely overlooked. The Iranians have evidently fallen in love with submarines

Iranian Opinion Key to Avoiding War

So far no tangible progress has been made in resolving the Iranian nuclear situation

In Rigged Elections 65% is the New 99%

Both elections were both exercises in political theatre, in which the middle classes were absent, the grateful poor voted en masse, the opposition protested, and fraud was alleged

How to Deter an Irrational Nuclear Iran

Nuclear deterrence has rested squarely upon assumptions of rationality. But what, exactly, is meant by 'rationality,' and does present-day Iran really meet this expectation?

Iran: Dawn of the Female Ninjas

In a clip I keep replaying, a young Iranian woman dressed in black runs towards a wall, skips a good few paces up it and flips full circle through the air, landing back on her feet

Turkey Weighs Military Presence in Syria

Turkey appears to be moving closer to creating a buffer zone across the Syrian border as the refugee situation worsens in the regional tinderbox

Syrian Kurds Fleeing to Iraqi Safe Haven

Iraq is better known for exporting refugees than receiving them. But Syrian Kurds are increasingly crossing the border

The Bad/Good Idea of Removing Syria's Assad

With sanctions not working, and with the Chinese, Iranians and Russians not eager to see Assad go, there is lots of talk that the United States and its allies must intervene to help the outmanned and outgunned Syrian opposition

We're Already at War in Syria

Wondering when America is going to intervene militarily in Syria? Psst ... this IS the military intervention

Bin Laden Put Out to Pasture

It's starting to look more and more like Osama bin Laden was not only in hiding at Abbottabad, he was in forced exile

Labor Trafficking: Modern-Day Slave Trade

Migrant workers are the slaves of the modern world

Europe's Dilemma: Immigration and the Arab Spring

It's time Europe stopped viewing immigrants as a threat to society

Economics Not Democracy Driving Arab Youth

The desire for coping with the rising cost of living has toppled aspirations for 'living in a democracy' among Arab youth

Google and Iran Spar Over Gulf's Name

There is a new Gulf war underway, but be careful what you call it. Google unwittingly sparked the conflict last week when it dropped the name 'Persian Gulf' from the body of water separating Iran from the Arabian Peninsula

Remembering Israel's West Bank Offensive

Israeli acts of aggression continue to enjoy broad bipartisan support in Congress, even from so-called 'progressive heroes'

Principled Intervention in Syria

Military intervention in Syria is a high-risk enterprise. Here's a set of principles by which the intervening forces must abide

Syria Seeks to Turn Peace Proposal Into Surrender Document

Syria's Assad administration seeks to double-down on Kofi Annan's peace proposal by demanding the opposition turn in its weapons

The Militarization of the Syrian Uprising

Has the Free Syrian Army stolen the revolution?

Like Father Like Son in Syria

History does not repeat itself, according to Mark Twain, but it does rhyme. The second, his son Bashar, is faithfully copying his father's methods

Syria: Kofi Annan Can Do It

Diplomacy has had a poor run this century. Syria is just the latest example of how two sloppy doctrines have led to an unintended consequence

Civil Society at Heart of Syrian Refugee Response

Community-based organizations have arguably played the largest role in helping thousands of Syrian refugees pouring into neighbouring Jordan

Israel's New Strategic Environment

Israel is now entering its third strategic environment due to the rise of Iran as a regional power and the need to build international coalitions to contain it

Palestinians Ban Sale of Israeli Produce

Palestinian authorities say they aim to ban Israeli potatoes and other produce in a move aimed at protecting Palestinian growers. They deny polticis is playing a role

Israel's Defense Establishment: Overmanned?

In Israel, young women are drafted as recruits, but higher up, it's just about men only

Egypt is Focus of Israeli Security Worries

From Israel's perspective, the Middle East isn't so dangerous these days -- the Palestinians are quiet, Syria is in turmoil, Iran faces sanctions. But trouble in Cairo looms

Salafists Could Roll Arab Spring Back to Arab Winter

An Islamic civil war could result if the Wahhabi/Salafists are permitted to take control with the US 'managing' the conflict and the Wahhabi/Salafists doing the dirty work

Arab Spring May Not Bring Democracy and Modernization After All

Ever since Islamists took office in Tunisia, Libya and Egypt, they have been trying to convince us that they are advocates of moderation, democracy, women's rights and individual freedoms

U.S. Sides With Israel's Nukes Over Iran's Lack Thereof

Trying to defend a state with illegal nuclear weapons over one with none is a recipe for disaster

Azerbaijan: Israel's Reluctant Friend

This article examines the political and economic ties between Israel and Azerbaijan and the discussion of Israeli plans to attack Iran from Azerbaijan

Supporting MEK a Lose-Lose Proposition for Israel

Israel has squandered its cherished state-sponsor-of-terrorism card on a bad bet

Promoting Democracy in Iran Is Not Only Wishful Thinking, But Belligerent

Ethics aside, democracy promotion in Iran would take too long to prevent an attack by the West

Tweeters Probe the Tenderest of Saudi Sore Spots

It's deeply worrying that the Saudi government is seeking to create a surveillance culture that encompasses spying on all digital media

Egypt Foils Iranian Plot to Kill Saudi Envoy in Cairo

Nearly three months after Egyptian authorities arrested three Iranians, the legal advisor of the Saudi Arabian embassy disclosed that Egypt had foiled a plot to assassinate Saudi ambassador to Cairo Ahmed Qattan

Saudi Arrest Lays Bare Egyptian Resentments

Long suppressed, Egyptian anger at Saudi Arabia's treatment of its expats emerges in protests over an activist's arrest

Letters Show Osama bin Laden's Frustration With Groups

Declassified letters written by former al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, discovered in his hideout in Pakistan where he was killed one year ago, reveal details about the organisation's inner workings and the backlash it suffered as a result of targeting civilians

Turkey: Twitter Cuts Two Ways

Social media has been a boon for democratization forces around the world. But a recent tragedy in Turkey helps highlights the fact that social media also has a potentially dark side for democratization efforts

Turkey's Geopolitical Strategy

Turkey provides an interesting case study of a minor country becoming a great power

IMF Sees Another Year of Tepid Growth

After a 2011 that most of the region's economies would rather forget, the Middle East looks set for more of the same this year

Rare Glimpse into Middle East Middle Class Angst

Less than a third of the people surveyed in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Morocco said they are 'extremely satisfied' or 'very satisfied' with their current economic situation

The Arab World's Democracy Deficit

A Harvard scholar points to medieval conquests as the basis for modern autocracy in the Middle East

Tunisia's Rulers Squeezed Between Salafists and Liberals

The Tunisian Islamist party Ennahda's moderate Islam wins few friends, lots of distrust, and comparisons with Ben-Ali

Al-Qaddafi-Era Rivalries Haunt Libya

More than seven months after Muamar Al-Qaddafi was toppled from power, his legacy of divide, rule and suppress has bequeathed Libya with simmering grievances now boiling over into fierce turf wars

Militias Still Have the Run of Libya

Despite some success the interim government has had ahead of the planned June 2012 national elections in bringing militias to heel several obstacles remain

Time to Rein in Libya's Militias

In Libya, many positive signs are emerging from the debris of battle. But much remains to be done, in particular with regard to security, justice and human rights

Rights Activists Aim to Stop Bahrain Grand Prix

Days before Bahrain's Formula One Grand Prix, a campaign mounts to force its cancellation

On Iran, India Is of Two Minds

India's growing economy needs a steady diet of Iran petroleum and resents pressure to join the sanctions regime. On the other hand, India isn't anxious to see another Muslim nuclear power emerge

Jordan: No Nukes in Our Backyard

Energy-starved Jordan wants to build an atomic plant, but residents and Islamists are opposed

IMF Aid Becomes Egyptian Political Football

As Egypt's foreign reserves plummet, an International Monetary Fund delegation leaves Cairo without terms for a loan

Tales of Horror From Syrian Refugees

The Syrian army regularly raids public hospitals and clinics, arrests or shoots injured people

Al-Assad Revives Father's Torture Techniques

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad has taken out the torture toolkit his father once employed as he engages in the most widespread and appalling abuses

Military Intervention in Syria is a Bad Idea

Although the impulse to try to end the ongoing repression by the Syrian regime against its own people through foreign military intervention is understandable, it would be a very bad idea

Syria's Systematic Torture

Concerted action by the international community appears to be the only recourse in Syria

The Great Syrian Divide

The government of the brittle, one-party state remains dug in against a determined but fractured opposition. Expert Joshua Landis discusses the fault lines in the Syria uprising

The Screws Tighten on Syria's Assad

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad can almost certainly hear the drip, drip, drip, like a leaky faucet, of his life dribbling away

Assad Is Not All That's Toxic About Syria

Are the chemical weapons that Syria possesses cause for intervention?

Syrian Unrest Affecting Entire Communities

Syrians fleeing from hot spots like Dera'a say increased army operations in the area in the last few weeks have made life there all but impossible

A 'New Humanitarianism' at Play in Syrian Crisis

Traditional humanitarian agencies have been unable to access many of the areas affected by more than a year of unrest in Syria. A new generation of aid workers have been filling the gap

Collapse of Syrian Pound Echoes Across Jordan

The 40 percent drop in value of the pound over the last year should be good news for Jordanian traders, enabling them to pay less for the goods they bring across the border. But it hasn't worked that way

New Protests Test Saudi Monarchy's Control

New protests at universities highlight shifting cultural norms and will test the government's ability to suppress dissent

Saudi Women on Their Way to London Olympics

Saudi Arabia has agreed to field female athletes in the 2012 Olympics for the first time, assuaging critics aboard, spurring controversy at home

What's Wrong with Containment

The policy of containment, it should be remembered, proved itself both wise and prudent for nearly half a century after World War II

Iranian Angst: Not Israel, But Domestic Discord

Worsening domestic discord is pushing Iran closer to brinkmanship, while Arab leaders sit on the sidelines hoping that any containment of Iran does not result in war

Iraq and the Limits of U.S. Power

Iraq is showing leading neoconservatives the limits of America's influence in a country it laid to waste

Wars and Potential Wars Abound

The United States is now being pressed to launch two new wars

Iran's Quest to Expand its Diplomatic Frontiers in Latin America

While the West continues to read Iran as a threat to world peace, the Middle Eastern nation aggressively seeks non-traditional friends and markets elsewhere

Israel: Water Being Used to Coerce Bedouin Villagers

Despite the fact that they are citizens, they are not entitled to the same level of rights as other citizens of Israel. Why? Because they are living in unrecognized villages

Israel: Joining Start-Up Nation

Living and working on the edges of Israel's Start-Up Nation, Palestinian and Israeli Arab high tech entrepreneurs are trying their hand getting companies aloft by leveraging their closeness to Israel's technology juggernaut and the low cost of Palestinian engineers

Israel's Shrinking Middle Class

Israel's middle class is shrinking even as the economy is thriving and unemployment is at its lowest in decades

Egypt's Liberals Shun Constitutional Assembly

The task of writing Egypt's new constitution will be in the sole hands of the Islamists after liberals and leftists said they were opting out of a process they say is destined to be dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafists

Egypt: Livestock Disease Puts Food Security at Risk

A new strain of foot-and-mouth disease in Egypt has killed several thousand livestock, put farmers' livelihoods at risk and could threaten regional food security

Copts Debate: Fighting Pope or Peacemaker

Tense times in Egypt as Christians choose successor for Pope Shenouda

In Egypt, A cellphone is a Wireless Lifeline

Post-revolution chaos, wandering youth spur Egyptian families to stretch budgets to stay in touch by cellphone