When Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt broke diplomatic relations with Qatar and imposed various sanctions on that minuscule but incredibly wealthy emirate, they presented the Qatari government with thirteen "non-negotiable" demands.The … [Read more...] about US Intervention Lets Qatar Off the Hook*
Saudi Arabia
Paris Accord – a distraction*
The international furor over US withdrawal from the environmental agreement is obscuring genuinely significant developments in our region. In several previous columns, I have emphasized important news and developments that have been largely … [Read more...] about Paris Accord – a distraction*
U.S. Warships Need Better Protection*
The Iranian-backed Houthis suicide attack on a Saudi Arabian frigate in Western Yemen, in Bab al-Mandab Strait on January 30, resulted in the deaths of two Saudi sailors and wounding three others. The ship struck the rear, was badly damaged. On … [Read more...] about U.S. Warships Need Better Protection*
Arabia Moves to Bosnia: The implications of the Middle-Eastern influx into Central Bosnia
The past several years have witnessed a development likely to have significant implications for the future of Bosnia and southeastern Europe as a whole—the emergence of central Bosnia as a target for large-scale Middle-Eastern investment. Bosnia, … [Read more...] about Arabia Moves to Bosnia: The implications of the Middle-Eastern influx into Central Bosnia
Protected-Christians in Muslim lands*
Bethlehem’s Christian Arab leaders lobbied Israel against transferring the city to the Palestinian Authority. Thus, in 1993, on the eve of signing the Oslo Accord, the Christian mayor of Bethlehem, Elias Freij, urged Israel’s Prime Minister Rabin to … [Read more...] about Protected-Christians in Muslim lands*
Europe: How Many Minutes to Midnight?
https://www.investigativeproject.org/1100/hizb-ut-tahrir-shariah-takes-precedence-over-usLeft: ISIS supporters attack German police before Solingen Town Hall, May 1, 2012. Decades of European efforts to avoid stigmatizing Muslims and to allegedly … [Read more...] about Europe: How Many Minutes to Midnight?
Washington: Russia Should use Smart Bombs in Syria*
Washington has ramped up criticism of Russia’s bombing campaign in Syria, complaining that the Russians are using “dumb” bombs when America uses “smart” bombs almost exclusively. Is Washington right, and are the Russians just trying to wipe out … [Read more...] about Washington: Russia Should use Smart Bombs in Syria*
The Syrian Threat to Israel*
Left: Map of Syrian Civil war/ Global conflict in Syria - liveuamap, February 22, 2016 There are more than two dozen state and non-state actors battling over the prostrate body of what used to be Syria, one of the artificial entities carved out in … [Read more...] about The Syrian Threat to Israel*
Spotlight on Iran*
Left: On January 31, 2016, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei awarded the ‘Fath’ medal on Commander of the IRGC Navy Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi as well as four others for capturing 2 US Navy patrol boats and 10 US Marines on January 12, … [Read more...] about Spotlight on Iran*
China’s New Grand Strategy for the Middle East*
Chinese President Xi Jinping with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Tehran, January 23, 2016 - After decades of distance, China is moving closer to the region’s sectarian feuds — and its vital oil reserves At the start of 2016, prospects … [Read more...] about China’s New Grand Strategy for the Middle East*