Left: Iran successfully test-fires its domestically-built Emad ballistic missile on October 11, 2015. © Tasnim news agency. The administration's campaign on the Iran deal involved commitments that Iran would not be allowed to: increase its … [Read more...] about State Dept: Nuke Deal Allows Iran Ballistic Missile Development
U.S. Foreign Policy
For Palestinians, Conflict With Jews Is Existential in Nature*
Left: "Jerusalem is thirsty, and this thirst will be quenched with blood." Today, "three Israelis are killed and dozens injured during a Palestinian 'day of rage.' Two Palestinians shot and stabbed passengers on a Jerusalem bus. Another Palestinian … [Read more...] about For Palestinians, Conflict With Jews Is Existential in Nature*
Would Turkey’s Military Stand By?
Left: Turkish police officers stand on guard, securing the site of the explosion in Ankara. Protesters clashed with riot police after the bombings, accusing officers of blocking a road being used by ambulances to transport the wounded. (Burhan … [Read more...] about Would Turkey’s Military Stand By?
Spotlight on Iran (September 24 – October 11, 2015)*
Overview: Syria - Official Iranian spokesmen praised the start of Russia's aerial attacks in Syria. Hossein Hamedani, considered the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps' (IRGC) senior military advisor in Syria, was killed in the region of … [Read more...] about Spotlight on Iran (September 24 – October 11, 2015)*
Weekly Review, October 5-9, 2015
U.S. Does Not Condemn Palestinian Violence - Rachel Ehrenfeld - The White House latest condemnation of the escalating violence in Jerusalem is akin to that issued by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. Both are talking from both sides of … [Read more...] about Weekly Review, October 5-9, 2015
U.S. Does Not Condemn Palestinian Violence
Left: The logo designed for the Palestinian social networks depicting a Palestinian throwing stones. The White House latest condemnation of the escalating violence in Jerusalem is akin to that issued by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. … [Read more...] about U.S. Does Not Condemn Palestinian Violence
Russia’s Return to the Middle East*
A Russian army pilot poses at a cockpit of SU-25M jet fighter at Hmeimim airbase in Syria on Oct 3 2015. (Alexander Kots, Komsomolskaya Pravda, Photo via AP) Russia is back in the Middle East in a wholesale fashion signing huge aircraft sales … [Read more...] about Russia’s Return to the Middle East*
Weekly Review, September 21-25, 2015
The U.S. Moral Decline - Rachel Ehrenfeld - What would Eleanor Roosevelt say about the election of Saudi Arabia’s Geneva ambassador Faisal Trad, as Chair of the United Nation Human Rights Council’s monitoring panel? She would wonder … [Read more...] about Weekly Review, September 21-25, 2015
A Tale of Two Viennas*
Left: The EU's Federica Mogherini (L), Iran's Mohammad Javad Zarif, Russia's Sergei Lavrov (R) in Vienna after the deal was signed. (Reuters/Leonhard Foeger) VIENNA 1815: The great powers of Europe; Russia, Prussia, Great Britain and Austria, meet … [Read more...] about A Tale of Two Viennas*
Xi’s Bluffing Hand*
Next week’s state visit of China’s No. 1 Xi Jinping looks to be all pomp and circumstance. There is little expectation that the long list of critical issues between Washington and Beijing will be addressed in any substantive way. And, in fact, the … [Read more...] about Xi’s Bluffing Hand*