This weeks Middle East Update is back to touching on what's happening in the Middle East as well as the region's influence elsewhere, including Europe, Russia, Africa, Australia, and the United States.
Afghanistan
Green-on-blue attacks in Afghanistan: the data - Bill Roggio and Lisa Lundquist (The Long War Journal)
Egypt
Egypt: Army Operation in Sinai "Well-Coordinated" with U.S. and Israel - Dina Ezzat (Ahram Online-Egypt)
Operation Eagle continues, uncovers militant hideouts, say sources - Al-Masry Al-Youm (Egypt Independent/IMRA)
Sinai: Operation Eagle allows dozens of hostages to escape from traffickers (EveryOne Group)
Egypt's IMF Loan Opposed By Both Socialists And Islamists (WorldCrunch)
Green-on-blue attacks in Afghanistan: the data - Bill Roggio and Lisa Lundquist (The Long War Journal)
Egypt
Egypt: Army Operation in Sinai "Well-Coordinated" with U.S. and Israel - Dina Ezzat (Ahram Online-Egypt)
Operation Eagle continues, uncovers militant hideouts, say sources - Al-Masry Al-Youm (Egypt Independent/IMRA)
Sinai: Operation Eagle allows dozens of hostages to escape from traffickers (EveryOne Group)
Egypt's IMF Loan Opposed By Both Socialists And Islamists (WorldCrunch)
Iraq
Oil Companies Flock To Kurdistan, Angering Baghdad Authorities - Emmanuel Grasland (Les Echos/Worldcrunch)
Lebanon
Hizbullah Drill Prepares to Occupy the Galilee (Jerusalem Post)
Mali
AQIM hostages in northern Mali - Bill Ardolino (The Long War Journal/Al Jazeera Video)
Nigeria
Administration Missing Boko Haram's Islamist Motives - Daniel E. Rogell (IPT)
Norway
Norwegian Media: Distorting the News - Dr. Manfred Gerstenfeld (Honest Reporting)
Pakistan
Islamabad’s Christians afraid after blasphemy arrest (Daily Times)
Palestinians
Abbas Again Denies the Jewish Connection to Jerusalem - Herb Keinon (Jerusalem Post)
Deputy Speaker of Hamas Parliament Calls for Annihilation of Jews and Americans (MEMRI)
Fatah football tournament named after three terrorists - Itamar Marcus
Russia
Jihadi Extremists Gaining Foothold In Central Russia (MEMRI)
Syria
Intervention in Syria Is a Trap - Daniel Pipes (Washington Times)
Syria's rebels do not need Western help to bring down the regime (and wouldn't be grateful for it if they did receive it, if Iraq is any guide). The Syrian conflict at its core pits the country's disenfranchised Sunni Arab 70% majority against Assad's privileged Alawi 12% minority. Hastening the Assad regime's collapse will not save lives. It will merely mark the close of the opening chapter in the conflict, with yet worse violence likely to follow. As Sunnis finally avenge their nearly 40 years of subjugation by Alawis, a victory by the rebels portends potential genocide.
Australian Islamist cleric killed in Syria - Karen Hodgson (The Long War Journal)
According to The Australian, al Majzoub was known to Australian police and intelligence agencies because of his extremist views. In contrast, ABC News agency in Australia reported that he was in Syria to do charity and humanitarian work.
United States
Hizbullah Maneuvers To Remain On U.S. Social Media After Being Removed By Facebook, Apple, Droid - Steven Stalinsky (MEMRI)
Israel, America Bashed at Iranian-Inspired DC Rally - (IPT News)
Mali
AQIM hostages in northern Mali - Bill Ardolino (The Long War Journal/Al Jazeera Video)
Nigeria
Administration Missing Boko Haram's Islamist Motives - Daniel E. Rogell (IPT)
Norway
Norwegian Media: Distorting the News - Dr. Manfred Gerstenfeld (Honest Reporting)
Pakistan
Islamabad’s Christians afraid after blasphemy arrest (Daily Times)
Palestinians
Abbas Again Denies the Jewish Connection to Jerusalem - Herb Keinon (Jerusalem Post)
Deputy Speaker of Hamas Parliament Calls for Annihilation of Jews and Americans (MEMRI)
Fatah football tournament named after three terrorists - Itamar Marcus
Russia
Jihadi Extremists Gaining Foothold In Central Russia (MEMRI)
Syria
Intervention in Syria Is a Trap - Daniel Pipes (Washington Times)
Syria's rebels do not need Western help to bring down the regime (and wouldn't be grateful for it if they did receive it, if Iraq is any guide). The Syrian conflict at its core pits the country's disenfranchised Sunni Arab 70% majority against Assad's privileged Alawi 12% minority. Hastening the Assad regime's collapse will not save lives. It will merely mark the close of the opening chapter in the conflict, with yet worse violence likely to follow. As Sunnis finally avenge their nearly 40 years of subjugation by Alawis, a victory by the rebels portends potential genocide.
Australian Islamist cleric killed in Syria - Karen Hodgson (The Long War Journal)
According to The Australian, al Majzoub was known to Australian police and intelligence agencies because of his extremist views. In contrast, ABC News agency in Australia reported that he was in Syria to do charity and humanitarian work.
United States
Hizbullah Maneuvers To Remain On U.S. Social Media After Being Removed By Facebook, Apple, Droid - Steven Stalinsky (MEMRI)
Israel, America Bashed at Iranian-Inspired DC Rally - (IPT News)
