As any and all Nobel Peace Prize laureates, Obama is expected to say that he's "war-weary." Such statement, however, at times the United States is expected to lead the world against murderous tyrants, is inappropriate andunexpected form the leader of … [Read more...] about Syria – Obama’s Leadership Test
ACD/EWI Blog
Canadian Heading MB Office in Syria
Syria's Muslim brotherhood (MB) announced on August 9, 2013, its official return to open political activity in Syria. Hassan Hachimi was named the newly elected leader of the Syrian Brotherhood. Hachimi's election was surprising because the … [Read more...] about Canadian Heading MB Office in Syria
Islamic Dawaa: The Obama Connection?
In a recent report on Egyptian television Tahani al-Gebali -- the former Chancellor of and present advisor to the Constitutional Court of Egypt -- made the astounding claim that, "the reason the United States cannot fight the international … [Read more...] about Islamic Dawaa: The Obama Connection?
Picking Up the Pieces
When a young, flibbertigibbet reporter asked the old Edwardian Harold Macmillan what might derail implementing the prime minister's promised political agenda, he rejoined, "Events, dear boy, events!" For the pseudo-aristocrat that he might have … [Read more...] about Picking Up the Pieces
U.S. Financial Market Vulnerability Goes On
Al Qaeda's attack on the New York's World Trade Center was preceded by Osama bin Laden's repeated calls to destroy the U.S. economy and its financial infrastructure by all means. While the U.S. seemed unfazed by Bin Laden's calls, the Chinese paid … [Read more...] about U.S. Financial Market Vulnerability Goes On
The Brotherhood as Seen from Cairo and Jeddah
Cairo Islamist Clash with Society By Azmi Ashour*, Al Aharam The rapid fall in Egypt of Islamists from grace and power has ended the threat of religious authoritarianism in the country, but not respect for faiths. In mediaeval Europe, the clash … [Read more...] about The Brotherhood as Seen from Cairo and Jeddah
Another Reformist Shoe Drops in Iran
The Western media continues to extol as good news the election of Iran's "reformist" President Hassan Rowhani. Now, the U.S. and the West, still in denial about who really rules Iran (certainly not Rowhani), have been given another "sign" that Tehran … [Read more...] about Another Reformist Shoe Drops in Iran
A View from the Scorching Summer, Following the Arab Spring
The dominant country, in one of the most important regions of the world, experienced several years of tumultuous unrest, mass demonstrations, brutality, murders and chaos. This was followed by a parliamentary election, won by an extremist right wing … [Read more...] about A View from the Scorching Summer, Following the Arab Spring
The Frog and the Scorpion in the Middle East
The Obama administration's apparent focus on returning the Muslim Brotherhood to political participation in Egypt and keeping the Syrian conflict from metastasizing is deceptive. The administration's real effort is being put into making peace … [Read more...] about The Frog and the Scorpion in the Middle East
Egypt: “Mind” or “Mouth”?
It's impossible to tell whether it is an infection from the hysterical Mideast Arabic and English commentaries on radio and TV. Or is it twaddle the result of misunderstanding of the complexity of the issues? Whatever, our talking heads are more than … [Read more...] about Egypt: “Mind” or “Mouth”?