Foreign Policy Blogs

Middle East & North Africa

Bashar al Asad asserts his own importance in the peace process

… in an interview with the Guardian. He will meet with Senator John Kerry next week, and looks forward to the possibility of a future meeting with General Petraeus. One of the effects of the Gaza incursion of this December/January has certainly been the catapulting of the peace process to the front of everyone’s minds. […]

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Debate on Durban II Participation Begins

As the Durban II antiracism conference plenary sessions near conclusion, the U.S. delegation continues to attempt to change the agenda. The first conference elicited strong back lash from the United States and Israel, with Israel and some members of Congress encouraging the United States not to participate in this year’s events. During a State Department […]

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Shalit Truce and Peres Make News

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s attempts of tying a Gaza truce deal to the return of abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit has created dissent both within Israel and from Hamas. The National Security Cabinet debated a measure to continue the blockade on Gaza until the release of Shalit, while Israeli protesters declared that Olmert continues […]

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Traffic Accidents in Egypt

Traffic accidents in Egypt continue to be a major problem as over 30 people have been killed and scores injured on the roads just this month. Official estimates place the number of deaths resulting from road accidents in Egypt at around 6000 to 8000 per year with tens of thousands of injuries. In August 2008, […]

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Coalition, PA Negotiator, Iran Subterfuge

Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman may recommend the formation of a Likud-Kadima-Yisrael Beiteinu coalition later this week amidst concerns that an ultra-right coaltion would not appropriately represent the Israeli people and respond to foreign criticisms. Another article questions the working relationship between a Likud-led or Kadiam-led coalirion with the United States, declaring a right wing […]

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'Resistance Has Right to Possess and Use Anti-Aircraft Weapons'

Read it all on Al Manar. Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah declared on Monday that the Islamic Resistance has the full right to possess all kinds of weaponry, including anti-aircraft weapons, emphasizing that the Resistance has the courage to use such weapons. His eminence renewed his pledge to retaliate the assassination of Islamic Resistance […]

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women and reform in Islam

the New York Times’ Sabrina Tavernise covers a conference among Muslim women interested in reform that took place this past weekend in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She quotes several women advocating Islamic reform efforts to patriarchal systems, as opposed to reform efforts using the language of secular liberalism. She also points out references to Morocco’s sweeping […]

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"Let it be free of any interference and free of regional conflicts"

“What we want of the national dialogue is neither to negotiate disarmament nor to negotiate the integration of Resistance into the army. What we want is the completion of the defense strategy, ” said Hizballah official Mahmoud Qamati. MP Mohammad Raad tried to clarify [but in fact did not] the problem saying that Hizballah is […]

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Coaltions Continue, Shalit, and Efrat Expansion

President Shimon Peres may urge Kadima and Likud to form a coaltiongovernment, he alluded to high school students in Be’er Sheva by stating his desire to ‘listen to the people.’ During the speech, he notd that upon receiving the official election results Wednesday nights, he would begin stressing coalition building for the next government. While […]

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Resembling the Wild West

People are brutalized and some killed. Why? Because of political affiliation.  Disappointingly that happens in today’s Lebanon. Hand Grenade Tossed at LF Center in Sin el–Fil Sfeir Criticizes Hariri Rally Violence that Left 1 Dead, 30 Injured Jumblat Calls for Restraint after Slaying of PSP Member And to end in the same tone. Berri came […]

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Livni in Oppostion, Durban II

Even though she received a plurality of votes in last week’s election, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni asserted to associates her desire to lead the opposition as opposed to joining Likud-led right wing coalition. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert urged Livni to oppose Benjamin Netanyahu claiming that a failed Likud-government would propel Kadima back into the PMO. […]

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Hamas Truce a Ruse?

While the press consistently publishes reports of Hamas agreeing to a truce deal with Israel that includes the release of abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert denied any such deal, declaring “Israel is not currently engaging in any negotiations with Hamas, and certainly won’t achieve any kind of […]

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Hamas, Valentine's Day, and the Economy

Who knew that Hamas could help put smiles on happy couples’ faces this Valentine’s Day? Approximately 25,000 carnations left Gaza yesterday en route to Denmark, marking a major economic stimulus to flower growers who’s income sharply declined following Hamas’ takeover of the strip and the beginning of Israel’s restrictions on cross-border traffic. While Gaza exports […]

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Clinton visit and More

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will arrive in Israel March 3, one day after attending a Gaza rehabilitation conference in Cairo. During her visit, though, she may influence coalition building and the priorities of the next government. Hamas intends to include the exchange of captive IDF soldier Gilad Shalit for 1000 Palestinian prisoners in a […]

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Bibi Stances Could Complicate U.S. Strategies

As President Barack Obama extends an open hand to Iran and Hamas in an effort to change the current Middle Eastern dynamic, Binyamin Netanyahu, Likud Chairman and potentially the next Israeli Prime Minister, may pose a hurdle towards some American strategies regarding the peace process and preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction through […]

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