Spencer Ackerman critiques the equation of counterinsurgency with the progressive agenda in Democracy‘s Spring 09 issue. His point – that the military should not be a political organization, and that military strategy and a political agenda (whether progressivism, conservativism, or whatever) should be disaggregated in order for the military to do its job is well […]
At a press conference yesterday, the Bank of Israel released its policy to mitigate the effects of the global financial crisis on Israel. Bank officials stated that its impossible to reverse the effects of the recession, but only prevent it from worsening. Officials estimated that unemployment would top 8-percent and GDP will drop 1.5-percent. In […]
Nathan Field (of FPA’s Egypt blog) and Ahmed Hamem have a piece in this month’s Arab Reform Bulletin arguing that while there is no guarantee that inviting Islamist parties into politics will make them moderate, the inverse appears to be true. That is, excluding Islamist parties from politics, at least in Egypt, seems to have […]
The new Carnegie report describes European initiatives and priorities towards the Middle East, placing an emphasis on the need to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict first. The report emphasizes the need to pursue the process and ideas from the Annapolis summit, improve conditions in the territories, enhance the security situation, and bolster democratic efforts.
Palestinian faction reconciliation talks resumed in Cairo with meetings of five committees to negotiate details between Hamas and Fatah. The talks will continue for ten days and may result in an agreement, the chances of which bolstered following the past weekend’s resignation of pro-Western Palestinian Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad. Turkish officials declared the need to […]
Iraqi women continue to struggle to access basic services despite a drop in violence in their country; Oxfam released a report on their condition yesterday, on International Women’s Day, presumably to underline the irony of the so-called liberation of Iraq. They are not alone in facing gender-based discrimination and other challenges.
Am I the only one who did not know that Barbie’s birthday and International Women’s Day were both on March 8th? It’s so absurd it could only be true. In honor, the Times has a lovely piece on Barbie in Iran. And, dated but still interesting, Katherine Zoepf’s coverage of the doll pictured below, Fulla.
Syrian President Bashir al-Assad declared normal relations with Israel as a distinct possibility in the future and not a pie-in-the-sky dream. He even confirmed his willingness to work with any Israeli government, regardless of its composition. However, he indicated that Israel must first resolve its dispute with the Palestinians and come to a coherent and […]
The independent Egyptian newspaper Al-Dustor is reporting that Egyptian supermarket Al-Kubri has been selling, accidentally of course, boxes of sweets with Stars of David and Menorahs printed on them for Al-Mawlid Al-Nabawi (The Birth of the Prophet), which is today. The supermarket claims it has no idea where the boxes came from (by the way, […]
In an effort to improve the relationship between Fatah and Hamas through the pursuit of reconcilliation talks, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad resigned yesterday, effective at the end of the month. Hamas demanded his resignation due to his pro-U.S. stances opposed by the radical Islamic group. President Mahmud Abbas, however, requested that Fayyad continue fulfilling […]
in the March/April Foreign Affairs, by Bernard Lewis. The title is “Free at Last?” (You’ll have to pay/go to the library to read it … I’m sorry). Since it’s Bernard Lewis, a desire to avoid that awkward moment at a cocktail party with other politics nerds where this article is referenced and you look blank […]
With coalition talks continuing and Kadima likely to lead the opposition, right-wing hardliner Avigdor Lieberman seeks the foreign minister post to add his party, Yisrael Bieteinu, to the Likud-led government. In demanding the post, Lieberman requested ‘full autonomy’ to prevent portions of his portfolio to fall under the jurisdiction of another cabinet position. Aside from […]
The recently concluded trip of Secretary of state Hillary Clinton to the Middle East solidified U.S. positions on the peace process while leaving extensive questions regarding the Administration’s posture towards Israel and the Palestinians. During comments with a variety of Israeli officials, Clinton emphasized the “shared values” of the two nations and their common interests. […]
Dr. Ofra Bengio outlines the historical ties between Israel and Turkey along with recent clashes between the two governments. Even though the recent tifts may tense relations in the short term, the two countries share a common bond and mutual need that ensures strong ties well into the future, although repairing the recent disagreements may take […]
via the New York Times. This article reminds me of a short film I saw at LUNAFEST this week on women’s wrestling in the United States called “Grappling Girls“. Both stories feature bits on the winning over of athlete’s fathers: At the Kartalspor-Gazi Universitesispor game, a motley mix of curious men and boys gathered in […]