Juan Cole

Assad Plays the ‘Palestinian Card’ – Again

Assad Plays the ‘Palestinian Card’ – Again

PAUL NOTAR, INFORMED COMMENT: He’s always been a skilful player of ‘the Palestinian Card’ but as the region changes his hold on that particular narrative is no longer exclusive.

 Ramzy Baroud

Is the ‘Turkish Model’ the one to follow in region?

Is the ‘Turkish Model’ the one to follow in region?

RAMZY BAROUD: It has endured some punishing attacks but the democratic experience in Turkey is presented as a model for the region to follow. How useful is it, however?

 Juan Cole

Top Ten Mistakes of the Libyan ‘Intervention’

Top Ten Mistakes of the Libyan ‘Intervention’

JUAN COLE: I believe it’s legal but that doesn’t mean that the West’s military intervention in Libya has been wisely handled.

 Juan Cole

Libyan Conflict: People – It’s NOT About Oil…

Libyan Conflict: People – It’s NOT About Oil…

JUAN COLE: To suggest that the West has cooked up a war against Qaddafi to steal Libyan oil is to demean the bravery of the Libyan people.

 Tabsir

Threats to the ‘Arab Spring’ Growing by the Day

Threats to the ‘Arab Spring’ Growing by the Day

DANIEL M. VARISCO: Where there was once optimism of fundamental change taking hold as a spirit of freedom swept the region, there is now growing pessimism.

 Juan Cole

Top Five Arab Spring Developments This Week

Top Five Arab Spring Developments This Week

JUAN COLE: It’s been a busy few days throughout the Arab World with existing and former dictators finding the going is getting tougher.

 Hisham Wyne

‘The “Sheikh” is Dead, Long Live the “Sheikh”‘

‘The “Sheikh” is Dead, Long Live the “Sheikh”‘

HISHAM WYNE: There is much speculation about who has replaced bin Laden. The fertile conditions for the organisation persist, particularly in Pakistan.

 Ramzy Baroud

Libya Woes An Opportunity to Extend U.S Influence?

Libya Woes An Opportunity to Extend U.S Influence?

RAMZY BAROUD: There is a lot of discussion and political calculation bouncing around the corridors of power in Washington about Libya.

 Juan Cole

Saif ‘Admits’ Qaddafis are Brutal Foreign Occupiers – of Libya

Saif ‘Admits’ Qaddafis are Brutal Foreign Occupiers – of Libya

JUAN COLE: This slick interview with the glib comparisons is typical of the way they think they can get away with anything, anything at all.

 Michael J. Totten

No Big Sleep for the MidEast’s Remaining Thugs

No Big Sleep for the MidEast’s Remaining Thugs

MICHAEL J. TOTTEN: Now that the Arab revolt is slamming hard into Bashar al-Assad’s Baath Party in Syria, no dictator will be able to sleep without consuming copious amounts of pills.

 Tabsir

Plus ca change: Boom time for arms dealers in the Middle East

Plus ca change: Boom time for arms dealers in the Middle East

TABSIR: As missiles and bullets rain down from the skies of Libya they are falling on materiel provided by the countries whose pilots are enforcing the ‘no fly zone’. As ever, it’s a win-win for the arms dealers.

 Michael J. Totten

Among the People of Benghazi: A Westerner’s View

Among the People of Benghazi: A Westerner’s View

MICHAEL J. TOTTEN: Very little seems to be known about the rebels who are fighting Qaddafi. When I found out that a trusted source was effectively ’embedded’ with them I had a few questions to put to her.

 Juan Cole

‘Our Luck’, A President That Gets Complexity

‘Our Luck’, A President That Gets Complexity

JUAN COLE: President Obama’s speech last night demonstrated clearly the qualities of leadership that those who seek to challenge him simply do not possess.

 Juan Cole

More Kosovo than Iraq: How No-Fly Zones Can Succeed

More Kosovo than Iraq: How No-Fly Zones Can Succeed

JUAN COLE: It’s clear what model the UN authorised forces should be following in enforcing the no-fly zone in Libya – the success that was Kosovo rather than the failure that was Iraq.

 Juan Cole

Qaddafi Threatens West With Al Qaeda Alliance

Qaddafi Threatens West With Al Qaeda Alliance

JUAN COLE: As the unfolding disaster in Japan distracts the world’s attention Qaddafi’s re-conquest of Libya rolls on. There will be scores to settle…

 Osama Al Sharif

Libya: The West Must Make Its Decision Now

Libya: The West Must Make Its Decision Now

OSAMA AL SHARIF: The Libyan revolution could easily slip into a prolonged civil war – the worst outcome for all. Lawlessness, Humanitarian crisis…

 James M. Dorsey

Is Turkey the Role Model for the Arab World?

Is Turkey the Role Model for the Arab World?

JAMES M. DORSEY: For the first time in its history, Turkey is emerging as a true bridge between East and West. Unrest elsewhere however puts Turkish aspirations to the test.

 Juan Cole

Oil Price Rise means a Happy 2011 in Tehran

Oil Price Rise means a Happy 2011 in Tehran

JUAN COLE: While U.S consumers bemoan oil price rises it’s smiles all round in Iran. The OPEC chair is in no hurry to do anything about spiraling costs.

 Juan Cole

Top 10 Middle East Challenges for U.S. Policy, 2011

Top 10 Middle East Challenges for U.S. Policy, 2011

JUAN COLE: The Obama administration has been successful in tightening the financial noose on Iran during 2010, but Iran could fight back like a cornered rat…

 Michael J. Totten

Wikileaks: History Lessons for the Stupid

Wikileaks: History Lessons for the Stupid

MICHAEL J. TOTTEN: Surely somewhere there’d be references to a war for oil in Iraq if the war was, in fact, about oil.