With the price of a barrel of benchmark crude oil falling by a half in the past six months, the punditocracy is out in force prophesying about what it all means. Predictably, their conclusions range from “It’s wonderful for the world’s economy in … [Read more...] about Israel and Oil
Contributor: Norman A. Bailey*
Egypt Protects Israel’s Flank*
Various regional developments are proceeding almost unnoticed, among them President al-Sisi's isolation of Gaza. As usual, truly important developments are obscured by the daily crush of events. Horrific crimes in Jerusalem and the … [Read more...] about Egypt Protects Israel’s Flank*
Turkey Roasts*
Turkey's leadership has brought the country to an impossible position, and its dream of revived grandeur is receding. There has not been a time since the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the declaration of the Turkish Republic following the end of … [Read more...] about Turkey Roasts*
Egypt’s, Iran’s and Turkey’s Transformation*
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*
Open Conflict in Washington
The conflict in Washington between the pro-Israel Congress and the anti-Israel Administration of Barack Obama just entered a new and enhanced phase. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed a resolution condemning the wave of … [Read more...] about Open Conflict in Washington
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*
Terrorism Breeds New Threats
Terrorists are increasingly cooperating with criminal gangs, while Lebanon could go the way of Libya. Two developments in the strategies and tactics of terrorism merit careful analysis: One is the growing nexus between terrorist organizations and … [Read more...] about Terrorism Breeds New Threats
NATO, EU Face Acid Test
Left: Infographic: Map locating clashes between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces created on August 31, 2014. (Reuters) One of the iconic photographic images of recent decades was the film of a young Chinese man standing in front of … [Read more...] about NATO, EU Face Acid Test
Through the Fog of War*
Through the fog of war, civil war, terrorism, separatist movements, sectarian and ethnic violence and millions of displaced persons, it is easy to overlook aspects of the situation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) which in the medium- to … [Read more...] about Through the Fog of War*
Israel’s Potential New Friends?
Israel should build on the common interest it has with its neighbors in confronting the Islamicist threat. [But could it?-R.E.] The time to think about and plan for any post-war period is during the war. Unless all the signs are wrong, it would … [Read more...] about Israel’s Potential New Friends?