Just click on the links below to see the full story.
Redrawing Borders in the Middle East - Mordechai Kedar (Bar-Ilan University-IMRA)
The fundamental problem characterizing Middle Eastern states is that they have no legitimacy in the eyes of their citizenry because their borders were marked by European colonial interests. Included within these borders were ethnic, religious, denominational and tribal groups who, throughout history, were often unable to live together in peace. Every one of the Arab states, except the Gulf Emirates, is a conglomeration of these traditional groups.
Durbin's Flawed Hearing (IPT News)U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., in an attempt to address what he claims is an increase in anti-Muslim bigotry, is relying on questionable statistics and a witness with a record of opposing virtually all law enforcement attempts to deal with Islamist-inspired terrorism.
Report: Iran, Hizbullah Assisting in Syria Protest Suppression (Jerusalem Post)
Gunmen Target Egypt-Israel Gas Pipeline - Ashraf Sweilam (AP)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Proposes New Ties with Iran - Mariam Fam (Bloomberg)
Foreign Minister Nabil el-Arabi said, "The Egyptian government doesn't consider Iran to be an enemy state," the state-run Middle East News Agency reported. "We're opening a new page with all countries, including Iran." Egypt hasn't had full diplomatic relations with Iran since 1979, and has accused Iran in the past of using proxy groups such as Hizbullah to increase its influence in the Middle East.
Redrawing Borders in the Middle East - Mordechai Kedar (Bar-Ilan University-IMRA)
The fundamental problem characterizing Middle Eastern states is that they have no legitimacy in the eyes of their citizenry because their borders were marked by European colonial interests. Included within these borders were ethnic, religious, denominational and tribal groups who, throughout history, were often unable to live together in peace. Every one of the Arab states, except the Gulf Emirates, is a conglomeration of these traditional groups.
Durbin's Flawed Hearing (IPT News)U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., in an attempt to address what he claims is an increase in anti-Muslim bigotry, is relying on questionable statistics and a witness with a record of opposing virtually all law enforcement attempts to deal with Islamist-inspired terrorism.
Report: Iran, Hizbullah Assisting in Syria Protest Suppression (Jerusalem Post)
Gunmen Target Egypt-Israel Gas Pipeline - Ashraf Sweilam (AP)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Proposes New Ties with Iran - Mariam Fam (Bloomberg)
Foreign Minister Nabil el-Arabi said, "The Egyptian government doesn't consider Iran to be an enemy state," the state-run Middle East News Agency reported. "We're opening a new page with all countries, including Iran." Egypt hasn't had full diplomatic relations with Iran since 1979, and has accused Iran in the past of using proxy groups such as Hizbullah to increase its influence in the Middle East.
Winning Ugly in Libya: What the United States Should Learn From Its War in Kosovo - Michael O'Hanlon (Foreign Affairs)
Although the Libya mission has been effective in averting a humanitarian debacle so far, it has been ugly in some ways. But as Ivo Daalder and I argued about the Kosovo war a dozen years ago, an ugly operation is not the same as a failed operation.
Libyan rebels sold Hizballah and Hamas chemical shells (DEBKAfile)
Libyan rebel commander admits his fighters have al-Qaeda links - Praveen Swami, Nick Squires and Duncan (The Telegraph)
PA honors terrorist serving 30 life sentences for murders - Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook (PMW)
Abbas Would Give Up U.S. Aid for Reconciliation with Hamas - Mohammed Daraghmeh (AP)
Why Is Abbas Running After Hamas? - Khaled Abu Toameh (Hudson Institute-New York)
AQAP and the Vacuum of Authority in Yemen is republished with permission of STRATFOR.
FYI: al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
AQAP: "O' You Will be Victorious People of Sunnah" (Flashpoint Partners)
IDF map details more than 950 Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon - Bill Roggio (Long War Journal) Hezbollah militant activities are based in southern Lebanon, funded and maintained by Syria and Iran.
