In recent weeks a series of explosions and fires have spread throughout much of Iran, damaging multiple facilities, including the Natanz nuclear facility and the missile construction center. At the same time, the coronavirus pandemic has hit Iran … [Read more...] about Will China save Iran?*
Contributor: Norman Bailey
A Seismic Shift is Happening in the Middle East*
The chaos of the region makes predictions difficult but Israel could become a key strategic ally for Gulf states. The one thing about which we know nothing is the future. That being the case any non-conditional prediction about the future is not … [Read more...] about A Seismic Shift is Happening in the Middle East*
US Risky Economic Recovery*
Left: U.S. gross domestic product, 1st quarter revised to -0.7% from +0.2%. Source: Commerce Department The US remains Israel's most important market, but its economic recovery is stalling. In recent years the Israeli government and the Israeli … [Read more...] about US Risky Economic Recovery*
Powering the Land of Milk & Honey: Israel & Energy*
For many decades a joke has made the rounds in the Jewish world: "Hashem gave the land of milk and honey to the descendants of Isaac, but he gave the oil and gas to the descendants of Ishmael". The humor, of course, resides in the fact that, as … [Read more...] about Powering the Land of Milk & Honey: Israel & Energy*
The “Historic” Agreement That Ignores History*
No-one agrees on what was agreed with Iran, but in any case the precedents are hardly encouraging. By this time hordes of commentators have chewed over Mr. Obama's "historic" agreement. Some aspects, however, have been overlooked or … [Read more...] about The “Historic” Agreement That Ignores History*
How Dangerous is Putin’s Russia?**
On a scale of zero (not at all) to ten (existential threat to the world), Putin’s threat is an eight. It would be a serious mistake to assume he is merely blustering. Since taking control in 2000, President Putin has spent these fourteen years … [Read more...] about How Dangerous is Putin’s Russia?**
Economic Sanctions Seldom Work*
The prevention of the proliferation of nuclear weapons, particularly in the case of rogue countries such as North Korea and Iran, is a goal universally accepted by the international community. There is no such unanimity as to what to do to prevent … [Read more...] about Economic Sanctions Seldom Work*
Death Throes and Other Middle Eastern Phenomena
With Hamas in its death throes firing off rockets in all directions, it is hard to concentrate on anything else. Nevertheless, contrary to what the U.S. government might think, events in this part of the world do not, in fact, revolve around Gaza, … [Read more...] about Death Throes and Other Middle Eastern Phenomena
Western Economic Policy Still Fighting Wrong Battle*
Labor is steadily becoming less valuable than capital, and boosting liquidity won't help. The US government recently lowered its estimate of economic growth for 2014 to slightly over two percent. During the first quarter of the year GDP growth was … [Read more...] about Western Economic Policy Still Fighting Wrong Battle*
Iraq’s Theater of the Absurd*
After wasting so many lives and so much treasure, the US may now have to cosy up to Iran to save Iraq. Everyone in the ongoing Iraq tragedy has boxed himself in. The Iraqi government of al-Maliki invited disaster by refusing to sign a status of … [Read more...] about Iraq’s Theater of the Absurd*