Since the early years of the twentieth century, the world has been engaged in four world wars: World War I, World War II, the Cold War and the current war against Radical Islam. The first of those wars was a struggle against radical nationalism. … [Read more...] about Winning WW4 : A Tale of Four Books
Contributor: Norman A. Bailey
Israel’s Kurdish Conundrum*
Israel may soon be forced to choose between the Turks and the Kurds. In this week's column, I will compare and contrast two developments of great significance for Israel's regional future: the Kurdish question and the development of the offshore … [Read more...] about Israel’s Kurdish Conundrum*
The Middle East: Through a Glass, Darkly*
Since the onset of the so-called “Arab Spring” in April of 2011, most of what had seemed understandable in the area was turned upside-down. Some would argue that what had been considered the norm was overturned earlier, with the U.S.-led invasion of … [Read more...] about The Middle East: Through a Glass, Darkly*
The U.S. and Israel: The end of the affair?*
Political and economic conditions in the US portend a permanent cooling towards Israel, and Israel has to adjust. There is nothing unusual in this--in 1948 and, since the US has been by far the most powerful country in the Western World, and since … [Read more...] about The U.S. and Israel: The end of the affair?*
U.S. Presidential Elections: Rage and Fear, or Envy and Resentment*
There is a bitter joke in the U.S. that every two years the American people are asked to choose between the stupid party and the evil party, which is which depending on whether you are a Democrat or a Republican. This year is different. The … [Read more...] about U.S. Presidential Elections: Rage and Fear, or Envy and Resentment*
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*
Increasing Militarization of the Middle East *
Left: Definition of Middle Eastern countries: Central Intelligence Agency Recent developments in the Middle East show a disturbing trend to add to all the other disturbing trends that have emerged in the region since the "Arab Spring" began in 2011. … [Read more...] about Increasing Militarization of the Middle East *
Obama’s Millennial Problems
President Barack Obama, in his State of the Union address to Congress, along with calling Ukraine a Russian "client state", which infuriated the Ukrainians, referred to conflicts in the Middle East "...that date back millennia" It's not clear what … [Read more...] about Obama’s Millennial Problems
The Petrokingdom In Peril*
"The decision makers of the Saudi government should not have any doubt that this blood will trouble them. It will haunt them."- Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei - The eastern province, bordering on the Gulf, not only has a concentration of oil, it … [Read more...] about The Petrokingdom In Peril*
Dancing with Tyrants*
Left: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal. The communist leadership of China; President Putin of Russia; Turkey’s Erdogan, King Salman of Saudi Arabia. Should Israel deal with such regimes? They are all wholesale … [Read more...] about Dancing with Tyrants*