The Middle East Rush to Bury Hatchets: Is it sustainable?
By James M. Dorsey How sustainable is Middle Eastern détente? That is the $64,000 question. The answer is probably not. It’s not for lack of trying. Gulf states and Egypt…
Ukraine crisis could produce an unexpected winner: Iran
By James M. Dorsey Iran potentially could emerge as an unintended winner in the escalating crisis over Ukraine. That is, if Russian troops cross the Ukrainian border and talks…
Which way for Sudan?
by Neville Teller Abdalla Hamdok’s career as Sudan’s prime minister is a roller-coaster of a story. 66-year-old Hamdok, who holds a doctorate in economics from Britain’s Manchester University, was a…
UAE schoolbooks earn high marks for cultural tolerance, even if that means praising China
By James M. Dorsey An Israeli NGO gives the United Arab Emirates high marks for mandating schoolbooks that teach tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and engagement with non-Muslims. “The Emirati curriculum generally…
Putin’s post-Soviet world remains a work in progress, but Africa already looms
By James M. Dorsey Russian civilisationalism is proving handy as President Vladimir Putin seeks to expand the imaginary boundaries of his Russian World, whose frontiers are defined by Russian…
Libya’s new president is on hold
by Neville Teller In 2011 the Libyan people, with a little help from their friends, overthrew the dictator who had ruled them for some 50 years – Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. …
The continuing war against Islamic State
by Neville Teller On December 14 two Typhoon fighter aircraft of the UK’s Royal Air Force were patrolling over Syria and Iraq, when they noticed an unidentified drone flying…
The G7, the E3 and Iran
by Neville Teller Much of the world is growing increasingly impatient as Iran plays for time on the diplomatic front while it forges ahead towards full nuclear capability. Armed intervention…
The attack on Latakia
by Neville Teller When the news broke on December 7 that the Syrian port of Latakia had been bombed, and that an Israeli military spokesperson had declined to comment, a…
The threat from China – should Israel act?
by Neville Teller On 6 December US intelligence warned that Beijing intends to set up a permanent military base on the coast of Equatorial Guinea, giving it an Atlantic naval…