With all the excitement about the elusive nuclear agreement with Iran, there is hardly any media coverage about the failure to remove Assad's chemical arsenal from Syria. As of now, no country has agreed to receive and destroy the Syria's chemical … [Read more...] about The Growing Toxicity of the Middle East
Middle East Conflicts
Obama’s Back-Door Dealing with Iran*
Departing from Geneva after another negotiation charade with the P5+1, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, assured reporters: “we are all on the same wavelength.” Secretary of State John F. Kerry, for his part, stated “we’re closer now … … [Read more...] about Obama’s Back-Door Dealing with Iran*
The Revolutionary Guards’ International Drug Trade*
Summary The Revolutionary Guards are significantly involved in the international drug trade, both directly and through proxies. This involvement provides the organization with access to sources of financing that bypass international sanctions, as … [Read more...] about The Revolutionary Guards’ International Drug Trade*
Egypt’s Religious Persecutions
On August 22, 2013, Dr. Abdel Hadi al-Qasi, Egypt's predominant Sufi leader, speaking on behalf of 'millions of Sufis in Egypt', made the following statement: "President Obama, it seems that the U.S. administration, at this current time, instead of … [Read more...] about Egypt’s Religious Persecutions
The Four Fingers Holding Up the Muslim Brotherhood
The Muslim Brotherhood reign over Egypt was abruptly ended on July 3. While the streets of Cairo are quieter now, the four-finger sign, known as the "R4bia" salute, is used by the Brotherhhod supporters in Egypt and beyond. Moreover the Brothers … [Read more...] about The Four Fingers Holding Up the Muslim Brotherhood
Pragmatism a la Islam
In 1994, then mayor of Isbanbul, Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan famously proclaimed himself an Islamist-a "servant of shari'a." Further, he said that, for Islamists, "democracy is just the train we board to reach our destination. When … [Read more...] about Pragmatism a la Islam
Meet Hassan Rouhani’s Younger Brother and Adviser Hossein Fereydoun
Summary Since the election of Iranian President Hassan Rowhani, his brother, Hossein Fereydoun, has been presented in the Iranian media as one of his allies and senior advisers. He accompanies the president to some of his meetings, he accompanied … [Read more...] about Meet Hassan Rouhani’s Younger Brother and Adviser Hossein Fereydoun
Printemps Arabe: Obama Va-t-il. Payer La Facture?
Printemps Arabe : Obama Va-t-iL Payer La Facture ? Arnaud Dotezac, Directeur des Rédactions, Market L’histoire retiendra que George W. Bush pu renverser la dictature irakienne à prix d’or (plus de 3000 milliards de dollars) et que Barak Obama aura … [Read more...] about Printemps Arabe: Obama Va-t-il. Payer La Facture?
Shall We Kiss Egypt Goodbye?
"You left the Egyptians, you turned your back on the Egyptians, and they won't forget that." Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Quoted by Kelly McParland, National Post (Canada), 8 August 2013. In mid-August 2013 Egyptian newspapers reported that following … [Read more...] about Shall We Kiss Egypt Goodbye?
Egypt’s Muslim Sisterhood
The perdurability of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood (Ikhwan al-Muslimun) is explained by more than a half-century's effort to penetrate and control the professions (doctors, lawyers, pharmacists, etc.); the influence of Muslim clerics and their control … [Read more...] about Egypt’s Muslim Sisterhood