We Didn’t Start the Fire: Stop Blaming Sykes-Picot
The 1916 treaty between Britain and France can’t account for Syria’s problems altogether.
Middle East and North Africa
Syrian Regime Suffers Diplomatic, Military Setbacks
Syria is expelled from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation days after rebels shot down a warplane.
Egypt’s Generals Play Long Game
The military makes the Muslim Brotherhood vulnerable to its own success.
Egypt’s Morsi Dismisses Defense Minister, Army Chief
Egypt’s Islamist president steps up the pace in rolling back the army’s influence.
Erdoğan Does Not “Rule Out” Invasion of Syrian Kurdistan
Turkey’s prime minister warns that his forces may cross the border into Syria.
Obama’s Reluctance to Intervene in Syria Isn’t Puzzling
The president’s unwillingness to antagonize China and Russia is perfectly justified.
In Syria, Human Rights Violations On All Sides
The tactics deployed by loyalist and rebel fighters in Syria are increasingly brutal.
Egypt Carries Out Airstrikes Against Sinai Militants
The Egyptian air force strikes suspected militant targets in the Sinai Peninsula.
Israel Exasperated By Egypt’s Failure to Secure Sinai
Israeli defense minister Ehud Barak urges Egyptians to “take matters into their own hands.”
Assad’s Alpenfestung: An Alawite State in the Levant
Could Assad retreat to the Alawite heartland if the uprising forces him out of Damascus?
Saudi Spy Chief Rumored Killed in Bomb Attack
A bomb attack on the headquarters of Saudi intelligence in Riyadh may have claimed the live of Bandar bin Sultan.
Iraqi-Syrian Kurdish Cooperation Presents Turks With Dilemma
Turkey can ill afford to suppress Kurdish insurgent activity on its Syrian border.
Assad Has the Advantage Before Battle of Aleppo
The Free Syrian Army has fortitude and courage. But Bashar al-Assad has the weapons and firepower.
Israel Does Not Seek Regime Change in Tehran
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that Israel can live with the present regime in Iran if it gives up its nuclear program.
West “Recreating Sino-Soviet Bloc” in Syria: Brzezinski
By vilifying the two powers, Western allies are “pushing the Russians and the Chinese together.”