India Trying to Work Around Iran Sanctions
While the West is seeing progress as a result of its sanctions, India is determined to work “creativity” with Iran.
Middle East and North Africa
Israel-Lebanon Border Skirmish Not All Bad
The last thing the Middle East needs right now is another shooting war. But when gunfire erupted between Israeli and Lebanese troops along the border this past Tuesday, that is exactly what the Levant experienced for a few brief moments. The border between Israel and Lebanon has been relatively quiet ever since Israel and Hezbollah decided […]
Obama: Progress on Iran Sanctions
The president has picked up “rumblings that there is disquiet about the impact” of the latest round of sanctions.
Iran Under Pressure
Although hardly “crippling” its regime, the sanctions imposed upon Iran by the United Nations, Europe and the United States for its illegitimate nuclear program appear to have some effect at isolating the country. Brazil and Turkey approached Iran earlier this year to negotiate and reached a nuclear fuel exchange agreement in May under which Iran […]
Pakistan’s Hopeless Predicament
Pakistan is pivotal to America’s strategy in South Asia but it has little reason to continue to act as an ally.
Yemen’s Two Different, Dangerous Wars
Yemen’s government hasn’t focused on Al Qaeda, rather a separatist insurgency.
Turkey’s Irrelevant Islamism
Commentators feared a radical backlash when Recep Tayyip Erdoğan became prime minister.
Israel Is More Secure Than Ever
After the Israeli Navy intercepted six vessels attempting to circumvent its blockade of the Gaza Strip two weeks ago and killed at least nine on board in the onslaught that ensued, international condemnation came swiftly. Israel doesn’t have to care particularly. Fierce reactions could be expected from the Arab world. Protests broke out in different […]
The Real Threat in the Persian Gulf
Forget terrorism and a nuclear Iran; the biggest threat to Persian Gulf countries is their economy.
Turkey Awakes as a Regional Power
Turkey has worked hard in recent years to establish itself as something of a Middle Eastern power broker. With Brazil, it managed to negotiate a nuclear fuel exchange agreement with Iran last month while Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan launched a strategic partnership with Russia in February. On Thursday, the architect of Turkey’s newfound regional […]
Syria Won’t Turn Easily
The United States are unlikely to persuade Syria to become more collaborative.
Why Turkey Pretends to be Outraged
Turkey chastises Israel but is really looking at Iran’s suspected nuclear weapons program.
Israel Attacks Blockade Runners
The Israeli navy attacked half a dozen ships carrying activists and aid to the Gaza Strip on Monday. Some ten to fourteen people were killed in the confrontation that ensued. Many more were injured. The small flotilla, led by a Turkish ship with some 600 people on board, was carrying pro-Palestinian activists and humanitarian aid […]
Do We Have a Deal?
As Brazil and Turkey reached a nuclear fuel exchange agreement with Iran on Sunday night, the most important lesson to the West may well be that the traditional nuclear powers are no longer alone at their game. According to a joint declaration released on Monday, Iran pledges to deposit 1,200 kilograms of 3.5 percent enriched […]
Turkey Offers to Negotiate with Iran
In another show of Turkey emerging as a Middle East power broker, the country reiterated its offer on Tuesday to act as a diplomatic middleman toward Iran. “The solution for Iran’s nuclear program is through negotiations and the diplomatic process,” stressed Ahmet Davutoğlu, Turkey’s foreign minister, during a press conference in Tehran. Turkey, which has […]