Trump puts Israelis and Palestinians on a knife’s edge
By James M. Dorsey Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu may welcome two Middle East policy goals articulated by US President-elect Donald J. Trump in response to the Gaza ceasefire but…
Iran marks Trump’s inauguration by signing a partnership treaty with Russia
By James M. Dorsey Iran’s newly minted strategic partnership treaty with Russia may not be more than a bargaining chip if the first five years of Iran’s 25-year, US$400 billion…
From ceasefire to two-state solution: Will Trump go the whole way?
By James M. Dorsey The Gaza ceasefire negotiations, coupled with recent opinion polls, suggest the time may be ripe for more than an end to the Gaza war. They raise…
Turkey boosted by the Syrian coup
Afterthe Syrian people themselves, it is Turkey that has emerged as the biggest winner from the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. As soon as Assad fled…
The Middle East’s New Jigsaw Puzzle
By James M. Dorsey Decimating Hezbollah and ousting President Bashar al-Assad were the first steps in a Middle Eastern power struggle that is likely to define not only who wields…
Saudi Arabia and international sports, a tale of politics and greed
By James M Dorsey Saudi Arabia brings out the worst in the world of international sports in terms of politics and greed. FIFA’s awarding Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup…
The Houthis – Iran’s reserve
Four of Iran’smain anti-Israel instruments are effectively out of action. Hamas is a shadow of the fighting force it once was; Hezbollah has been neutered…
Iran fears setback may open a Pandora’s box
By James M. Dorsey With Donald j. Trump two weeks away from returning to the White House, Iran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) fear that recent setbacks could…
Israel’s military has a crisis even if it refuses to admit it
By James M. Dorsey Israel’s once-vaunted military faces an uncertain future. Not just because the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is set to judge Israel’s Gaza war conduct and the…
Putting Humpty Dumpty together in Syria
By James M Dorsey In Syria, putting Humpty Dumpty together again is no mean task. Israel’s demolition of the ill-equipped Syrian military and the recent occupation of additional Syrian territory…