Left: Locations of ISIS presence and control in Libya. It has territorial control over the square outlined in black. Outlined in red are large cities where ISIS is present but not in control, while Misrata and Ajdabiya are on its agenda (Google … [Read more...] about ISIS’s Libyan Expansion
Contributor:
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*
Stupidity is Not a Crime – Funding Terrorism Is
The opaqueness that marks both the Obama administration and Ayatollah Khamenei's regime, makes it difficult to know how many unfrozen billions of dollars are going to the coffers of the Islamic Republic following the lifting of the sanctions. The … [Read more...] about Stupidity is Not a Crime – Funding Terrorism Is
Iran-Saudi Relations*
Left: Iranian anti-Saudi cartoon, Fars News, January 4, 2016 -- Secretary Kerry's Sunday visit to Riyadh to diffuse the tension between the Saudis and Iran tried reassuring the Saudis that “Nothing has changed because we worked to eliminate a … [Read more...] about Iran-Saudi Relations*
Settlements, Schmettlements and Israeli Security*
Left: US Amb Shapiro follows White House lead in the delegitimization of Israel speech. (Watch the video.) - Pres. Barack Hussein Obama appears determined as part of his “legacy” to leave relations in ruins with the U.S.’ most important ally in the … [Read more...] about Settlements, Schmettlements and Israeli Security*
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 *
Better Cooperation Needed With Taiwan*
Left: President-Elect Dr. Tsai Ing-wen and her team holding their first press conference. I have just returned from Taiwan where I served as an International Election Observer. The result of the election was a historic victory for the opposition … [Read more...] about Better Cooperation Needed With Taiwan*
America’s Nuclear Power Plants Vulnerabilities*
Left: The Fukushima nuclear reactor meltdown, March 12, 2011 - A year-long study found that the present legal and regulatory approach to EMP/Space weather threat to America’s nuclear power plants are inadequate and dangerous. This sorry state is … [Read more...] about America’s Nuclear Power Plants Vulnerabilities*
Feeding Iran’s Terrorist Agenda
Left: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif waving [goodbye] to the Peace Dove. (cartoon by Keyvan Varessi, Iranian daily Iranian daily Ghanoon) - The lifting of the sanctions on Iran is significant not only because … [Read more...] about Feeding Iran’s Terrorist Agenda
The Real Abu- Mazen*
Left: PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas: “We bless you, we bless the Murabitin (those carrying out Ribat, religious conflict/war to protect land claimed to be Islamic), we bless every drop of blood that has been spilled for Jerusalem, which is clean and pure … [Read more...] about The Real Abu- Mazen*