Foreign Policy Blogs

Middle East & North Africa

Foreign Money in Israeli Politics

Foreign Money in Israeli Politics

There has been much talk this election season of Israel in general, and Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin (Bibi) Netanyahu in particular, being injected into the American political system. It has recently come to light that this is actually a relationship that works in both directions. Fifty-eight percent of all money raised over the last two […]

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Iran Massacre Survivors to Recall Horrors at The Hague Tribunal

Iran Massacre Survivors to Recall Horrors at The Hague Tribunal

The Islamic Republic of Iran has been invited to participate in the trial but has to date refused to engage with the Tribunal process  The second phase of the People’s Court process by the Iran Tribunal will be held at the Peace Palace in The Hague between 25-27 October 2012. The Iran Tribunal seeks to investigate […]

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Iraq, Arms, and Oil

Iraq, Arms, and Oil

Back in the swing of things. “Iraq could overtake Russia as the world’s second-largest oil supplier behind Saudi Arabia by the 2030s, nearly tripling its current output, according to a report from the International Energy Agency.” (h/t The LA Times) “Iraq has signed contracts to buy Russian arms worth $4.2bn (£2.6bn; 3.2bn euros) this year, […]

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Border Crossing Euphoria

Border Crossing Euphoria

  That perfect moment of the triumph of the people happened again in Syria.  The rebels captured another border crossing between Syria and Turkey, lowering the Syrian flag and raising their own banner.  It is a symbolic moment of victory – and in a bloody civil war abundant with various factions and no real positive […]

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Ahmadinejad: The Politician

Ahmadinejad: The Politician

Source: Google Images A controversial figure since taking office in 2005, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad instigates outrage through speech and actions. The president’s rhetoric targets the United States for meddling and “bullying,” but he ignores international spotlight on Iran’s domestic issues and the country’s interference in others’ affairs. While some call him a madman, it […]

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Turkey’s Cross Border Attacks with Syria Highlight Lack of Western Support

Turkey’s Cross Border Attacks with Syria Highlight Lack of Western Support

                                        Wednesday’s mishap by Syrian forces, which saw a mortar shell land in the Turkish town of Akcakale, killing five, has put international attention firmly on the Syrian crisis. For months analysts and diplomats have warned […]

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Turkish politics by the numbers

Turkish politics by the numbers

Recently, a Turkish public opinion survey, conducted by MetroPoll was published, showing important shifts in the public perception of the government and politics. Conducted through 14-19 September 2012, in 27 cities, surveying 1275 respondents, the poll indicates serious shifts in public perception in the last three months. Those who believe ”Turkey is headed towards the right […]

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Canada’s Inappropriate Iran Policy

Canada’s Inappropriate Iran Policy

by Alireza Ahmadian Editor’s Note: Alireza Ahmadian is an Iranian-Canadian writer living in London. Mr. Ahmadian holds a history BA from the University of British Columbia and is currently completing his postgraduate studies at the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.   Canada’s decision to […]

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Syria Crisis Exposes Turkey’s Declining Democracy

Syria Crisis Exposes Turkey’s Declining Democracy

The Syrian crisis has put Turkey’s influence over regional issues to a bitter test. Ankara’s response has failed to stop the escalating violence and now also exposes the growing democracy deficit in Turkey. Turkish-Syrian relations were once the showcase of Ankara’s “zero problems with neighbors” policy. Trade between the two countries tripled in the space […]

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An Interview with Peter Kosminsky, Creator of the Promise

An Interview with Peter Kosminsky, Creator of the Promise

  British filmmaker Peter Kosminsky’s newest project is entitled The Promise. It tells the story of Erin, a young British girl straight out of high school who chooses to spend part of her gap year in Israel. Shortly before leaving, she finds the diary of her grandfather, Len, a man whom she barely knows. While […]

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The Paradox of Development in Iran

The Paradox of Development in Iran

Looking at the Human Development Index (HDI), the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) seems to have done relatively well in three key areas of health, education and income. While Iran’s score is far from perfect, it is indicative of a rather constant improvement in development areas. In HDI (2011) Iran scored 88 out of 187 […]

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Obama v. Bibi

Obama v. Bibi

News reports are awash with an alleged “open feud” between U.S. President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu over an Iran strike. Even though the United States repeated said that no options are off the table to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, the media–and even Israeli officials–are casting the Obama administration […]

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Irreconcilable Differences: Canada and Iran

Irreconcilable Differences: Canada and Iran

Formal diplomatic relations between Iran and Canada were developed in the late 1950s. As with most relationships, they have experienced their share of ups and downs. While the international community, mainly through the United Nations, mollified many of the pair’s issues over the years, the duo’s fragile relationship reached a breaking point on September 7, […]

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Welcome to the Kurdish Spring, the sequel

Welcome to the Kurdish Spring, the sequel

  It essentially was an accident. Saddam Hussein had been whipped in the 1991 Gulf War, President George H.W. Bush called on Iraq’s Kurds and Shia to rise up. They did  —  but Bush was all talk; there was no U.S. military help and they were slaughtered. So as Kurdish refugees clung to the freezing […]

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What the Iranian People Expect of Ban Ki-Moon

What the Iranian People Expect of Ban Ki-Moon

United4Iran’s Director of Programs and Advocacy, Dokhi Fassihian, published the following piece in the Huffington Post ahead of the UN Chief’s visit to Iran this week. Despite calls in some quarters for him to skip out, the UN Secretary General plans to travel to Iran next week, a country that has become a dungeon for its own […]

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