Fighting in Syria could rewrite the Middle East’s political map
By James M. Dorsey The stakes in Syria couldn’t be higher. Despite initial rapid rebel advances, what is likely to be a protracted and bloody battle could rewrite the Middle…
Ceasefire brings Lebanon’s chicken home to roost
By James M. Dorsey Gulf leaders told Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati what they said to Palestinians when he asked the region’s wealthy energy exporters to fund the reconstruction of…
Israeli commander’s West Bank woes spotlight a military tied up in knots
By James M. Dorsey Major General Avi Bluth, the head of Israel’s Central Command, switched roles this weekend. Suddenly, Mr. Bluth, in occupied Hebron to protect Israeli worshippers and settlers…
ICC arrest warrants Netanyahu and Gallant open a Pandora’s Box
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s world just shrunk considerably. An International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza obliges the Court’s…
Netanyahu and Hamas: A symbiotic relationship that costs Israel dearly
By James M. Dorsey Hamas political bureau member Mousa Abu Marzouk knows a thing or two about Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s decades-long support for the group. In fact, Mr.…
Israel’s wars repeat the 1980s on steroids
By James M. Dorsey Appalled by Israel’s carpet bombing of Beirut during the 1982 Lebanon war, US President Ronald Reagan didn’t mince his words with then-Israeli Prime Minister Menahem Begin.…
Trump set to inherit a Gaza war he doesn’t want but can’t end
By James M. Dorsey Gaza is gearing up to be a war on President-elect Donald J. Trump’s watch that he doesn’t want but may be unable to end. To read…
Iran jockeys for position as hawks populate Trump’s administration
By James M. Dorsey Iran is signaling its willingness to negotiate a nuclear deal with Donald J. Trump as the president-elect assembles an administration populated by Iran hawks who favour…
BRICS suits Putin, but it is no friend of Israel
From October 22 to 24, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, as host of the 2024 BRICS summit, welcomed 36 world leaders to Russia . This conference marked the first gathering of the BRICS…
How much of Godsend for Netanyahu is Trump’s return to the White House?
By James M. Dorsey Predicting President Donald J. Trump’s Middle East policy and his attitude toward Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu amounts to reading tea leaves. The leaves are the…