How did Saudi Arabia land the 2034 World Cup?
Saudi Arabia has been awarded the men’s 2034 World Cup. It will be the crowning event in the kingdom’s sport spending spree, having already reportedly invested USD6.3 billion since 2021,…
Will the real Mr. Jolani stand up?
By James M. Dorsey Ahmed al Shara, aka Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, would like you to think he is a changed man. These days, Mr. Al-Jolani, a 41-year-old one-time Al Qaeda…
Will Trump revive the Deal of the Century?
On his first time around the presidential election circuit, Donald J Trump placed such emphasis on his desire to broker a peace deal between Israel…
Syrian rebels are gunning for Damascus. Turkey may like the prospect
By James M. Dorsey Syrian rebels know what they want. Having captured two of Syria’s four largest cities, Aleppo and Hama, the insurgents are gunning for Homs, the country’s third…
It’s make or break for Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, not only on the battlefield
By James M. Dorsey A week into a rebel offensive, Syria is the potential fulcrum of a tectonic reordering of Middle Eastern geopolitics with President Bashar al-Assad as a key…
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.…