Continuing with the theme of the troubled relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia, especially over Yemen, here is an Al Jazeera report examining how Yemenis are reacting to foreign interference in their country’s civil war: [kml_flashembed movie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/ybK4-DveFQ8″ width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /] On Sunday, Ali Larijani, the speaker of the Iranian parliament, criticized the Saudi government […]
Comments made by Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat indicate that the Palestinians will unilaterally declare independence from Israel along the June 4, 1967 border, effectively on the green line that would include Jerusalem in the sovereign country. Palestinian leaders are actively lobbying countries for their support on the proposal and reports indicate that a measure could reach […]
President Barack Obama intends to nominate Hannah Rosenthal to serve as the administration’s Special Envoy for Global Anti-Semitism, an ambassador-at-large position within the State Department. She will largely work towards combating anti-semitic views throughout the world, an issue directly related to Israel as many countries in Europe propose or have enacted certain restrictions on trade […]
Looks like a conflict that started out as a local civil war in the Northern Yemen is now turning to a full proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The feud involves the Shiite Houthi clan supported by Iran and the Sunni Yemeni government backed by Saudi Arabia. In October, Yemeni officials supposedly seized an […]
Generally, when we conjure up thoughts on the potential downfall of Israel, we consider images of an Iranian nuclear weapon striking the heart of Tel Aviv, increases in terror that would make the land unlivable for Jews, or even the existential threat of non-Jewish Arabs overtaking Jews as the majority. However, another formidable foe should […]
After five months of fierce negotiations, Lebanon finally has a cabinet. Prime Minister Rafik Hariri announced Monday that the final details had been worked out and that parties had a come to an agreement. Lebanon’s deep sectarian divides provided ample obstacles during the negotiation process, but many thought that the biggest barriers to a national […]
Last month, Iran was shaken by a suicide attack in its province, Sistan Baluchestan. The attack killed more than 42 people, including 15 members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Here is an Al Jazeera report that examines the root causes of discontent in this province: [kml_flashembed movie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/bySZvaQMv5w” width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /] The report reveals that lack […]
The Washington Post’s “On Faith” series included today two articles written on the “despair” of Israelis and Palestinians. Abraham Cooper and Harold Brackman, of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, write: “Yet what has been the reaction to Israel’s defense of itself against Hamas whose founding Charter cites the genocidal Protocols of the Elders of Zion as a blueprint for wiping […]
President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met at the White House earlier today with some media reports implying tension between the two leaders. A White House statement read: “The president reaffirmed our strong commitment to Israel’s security, and discussed security cooperation on a range of issues… The president and prime minister also discussed […]
The resignation of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas revealed another round of ramifications, this time potentially destroying the entire Palestinian leadership in the West Bank or, conversely, reigniting the peace process. (see my previous post on other issues involved regarding the Abbas resignation.) Abbas’ threatened resignation may actually serve to resolve the same issues that originally pushed […]
On the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, a group of Palestinian protestors knocked over a slab of the security barrier that divides the West Bank from the Gaza Strip. This act of defiance would be powerful if it actually had merit. The Berlin Wall’s infamous reputation is largely characterized by it […]
With Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas claiming that he will not seek reelection in scheduled elections in January, speculation abounds on who will run. Additional speculation revolves around whether Abbas will renege on his decision to not seek reelection. Abbas reportedly feels frustrated with the failed peace process and the lack of unity among Palestinians. […]
The Israeli navy has intercepted what it claims was shipment of weapons from Iran bound for Lebanon to be used by Hizballah. The weapons were seized Wednesday off the coast of Cypress by Israeli commandos. Hizballah has denied any ties to the weapons. The weapons were being offloaded by the Israeli navy, and so far […]
In the Muslim world, Turkey and Iran are usually perceived as standing on opposite sides. Turkey stands for secularism, while the Shia clerics dominate the Iranian politics. Turkey is a “friend of the West”, and is also a Muslim country that has normal relations with Israel. While Iran, if it is not in the news […]