When entangled elements make it hard to reach a sound analysis, conspiracy theories appear to be a good tool to explain the unexplained. This applies perfectly to the situation in the Middle East.
Many observers are not yet ready to cede their de (...)
The Middle East remains of major geostrategic importance. Global powers found in recent developments an opportunity to chart their way into the region, sending troops and reinforcements, rebuilding alliances and restoring old relations. Amidst this (...)
In a fractious, unstable region rife with conflicts, one country appears to be unscathed. It is telling that Oman emerged not only intact from the ramifications of the Arab Spring, but also shied away from the tense polarisation that has hijacked (...)
Since Russia officially declared its limited withdrawal from Syria, following the forceful presence of its military, much speculation spread across media platforms worldwide. Observers had seen Russia's decision to enter Syria as part of a long-term (...)
At the outbreak of the Syrian uprising, Russia limited itself to its traditional role of providing arms, as well as military and logistical experts, to its Arab allies. As Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's regime weakened, the Russians dramatically (...)
Since the outbreak of the Syrian uprising, Russia has limited itself to its traditional role of providing arms, military, and logistical experts to its Arab allies. As Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's regime weakened, the Russians intensified (...)
In 2011, Turkey was seen as a rising star and, led by its Development and Justice Party (JDP), an unstoppable regional power. But the arrival of the Arab Spring heralded a deep change in the region.
Turkey's prominence began to fade and Iran's (...)
In 2011, Turkey was seen as an unstoppable regional power and a rising star, led by its Justice and Development Party (AKP). But the arrival of the Arab Spring heralded a deep change in the region. Turkey's prominence began to fade and Iran's (...)
Many observers saw Tony Blair's meeting with Hamas politburo chief Khaled Meshaal as a breakthrough that could take Hamas out of a bottleneck and lead to a long-term truce between the movement and Israel.
But it now appears that the crux of the (...)
On 27 August, headlines splashed global newspapers that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and nine other top officials resigned from the ruling Executive Committee (ExCo) of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Talks about an emergency or (...)
Many observers saw in Tony Blair's meeting with head of Hamas' political bureau Khaled Meshaal a breakthrough that may take Hamas out of the bottleneck and may lead to a long-term truce between the movement and Israel. Yet, with the ensuing meetings (...)
In the past four years, Arabs have been living an endless Sisyphean ordeal, an unexpected nightmare after rising for what they called "the Arab Spring". A very similar scenario was cloned in most of the Arab Spring countries. Alas, a hopeful (...)
The peace process between the Palestinians and the Israelis has ground to a halt, with each party blaming the other for this unfortunate failure. Israeli officials say that there is no Palestinian peace partner.
They accuse President Mahmoud Abbas (...)
When the first spontaneous explosions of the Arab democratic revolutions erupted in Tunisia in December 2010, many hoped this revolt might usher in a new beginning for the whole region. When Egypt joined Tunisia a few weeks later, hopes mounted and (...)
Palestinian success in burying a seven-year division has surpassed its domestic effects and has, without a doubt, regional and international implications. With the Palestinian unity government, the relationships between the Palestinians and Israelis (...)
When revolts sneaked into the Arab world, a number of regimes were toppled while other thrones were shaken. Among others, Europe was quick in its response and adopted a new approach to relations with its southern neighbours. Nonetheless, despite the (...)
While analyses have abounded examining the details of the "secret" talks and evaluating the positions of the negotiating parties in the Middle East peace process, prominent Israeli writers have intensified their efforts, on "Israel's imminent (...)
In a region that has been described for long time as idle, sluggish and even immune towards transformations, revolts sneaked in, toppling some regimes and shaking the thrones of others. However, with the bloody course of events, doubt started to (...)
Genuine democracy requires practice and partnership, and cannot be realised aloof from people. Mobilising crowds to replace the ballot box is very dangerous as the lust for power and authority can be cast in popular demands, and gain
proforma (...)
The revolutions did not come knocking on the door. Instead, they thrust their way into the Arab region, toppling some regimes while shaking others. Analyses have begun to take place in an attempt to examine this state of affairs, some choosing to (...)
When spring comes, people expect flowers and green shoots and optimism prevails. Alas, things in the Middle East are quite different. With every spring that comes, people recall the outbreak of the first spark of the current Arab Spring that started (...)
Breaching the UN charter and violating the sovereignty of other countries through air-strikes is nothing new. The major powers have long adopted such practices in order to achieve quick, clean and accurate goals, avoiding the complications of ground (...)
Breaching the UN charter and violating the sovereignty of other countries through air-strikes is nothing new. The major powers have long adopted such practices in order to achieve quick, clean and accurate goals, avoiding the complications of ground (...)