The five most important countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) from the standpoint of military power and economic clout are the Arab states Egypt and Saudi Arabia and the non-Arab states Israel, Turkey and Iran. Three of those countries … [Read more...] about Egypt’s, Iran’s and Turkey’s Transformation*
Middle East Conflicts
Cuba’s Anti-Israel, Pro-Palestinian Activities
The recent launch of two colognes, “Ernesto” and “Hugo” (named after Ernesto “Che” Guevara and Hugo Chavez), may bring much needed foreign currency to Havana, while helping to remind the world of the Castro regime's role in the making of the … [Read more...] about Cuba’s Anti-Israel, Pro-Palestinian Activities
Weekly Briefing – September 14-20, 2014
Immoral Equivalent - Daphne Netanyahu - There is a reason that criminal law – not just in Israel but the world over – does not define a criminal offense solely by the damage it caused. Judging the morality or immorality of war according to the number … [Read more...] about Weekly Briefing – September 14-20, 2014
The Muslim Brotherhood: Is Wagdi Ghoneim, the New Qaradawi Waiting in the Wings?
Yusuf Qaradawi, the octogenarian and putative senior cleric of the international Muslim Brotherhood (Ikhwan al-Muslimun), has reached an age where he is not now expected to play a significant role in what has become a cloudy Ikhwan future. Among … [Read more...] about The Muslim Brotherhood: Is Wagdi Ghoneim, the New Qaradawi Waiting in the Wings?
The Middle East ‘Black Revolution’
In the Fall of 2010, liberals in many Middle Eastern countries wanted a ”Color Revolution,” like other countries had in the previous decade. Yet, in the Fall of 2014, the dominant color that splashes all over is black. The black color of the growing … [Read more...] about The Middle East ‘Black Revolution’
Qatar, cold shoulders for Kerry, and a mysterious offer*
Recent developments in the region hold out both promise and threats for Israel. A trio of new developments are worthy of notice and all affect Israel directly or indirectly: As a first result of the Saudi crackdown on Qatar, a dozen major … [Read more...] about Qatar, cold shoulders for Kerry, and a mysterious offer*
Immoral Equivalent
There is a reason that criminal law – not just in Israel but the world over – does not define a criminal offense solely by the damage it caused. Judging the morality or immorality of war according to the number of people killed is not just another … [Read more...] about Immoral Equivalent
The Presence of Evil
Perhaps the most horrendous aspect of the ghastly decapitation of innocents by the ISIL jihadists is that it is a part of their successful appeal to a growing part of the Muslim world. Apparently the media-astute leaders of the movement understand … [Read more...] about The Presence of Evil
Weekly Briefing – September 6-12, 2014
The Jihadist Plague on the March - Rachel Ehrenfeld - Al Qaeda’s attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, on September 11, 2001, signaled the beginning of the spreading of the global jihadist plague. The deliberate dismissal of growing … [Read more...] about Weekly Briefing – September 6-12, 2014
Weekly Briefing – August 30-September 6, 2014
The Religion of War - Rachel Ehrenfeld - American and European leaders are “shocked” that the Islamic State (IS) barbarians beheaded two American reporters, Steven J. Sotloff and James Foley. Their “shock” is disingenuous and troubling. They react as … [Read more...] about Weekly Briefing – August 30-September 6, 2014