Francis Matthew

Obama set to Disappoint Friends Around the World

Obama set to Disappoint Friends Around the World

FRANCIS MATTHEW:Obama failed to deliver this vision in his first term, and sadly, it is unlikely that he will use his second term to re-find his sense of purpose in the world.

 Mondoweiss

Damning Israel: ‘Make The Unjust, Just, the Illegal, Legal’

Damning Israel: ‘Make The Unjust, Just, the Illegal, Legal’

MONDOWEISS: The Russell Tribunal on Palestine has concluded and issued its preliminary findings. It makes for very uncomfortable reading particularly for the U.S.

 Jonathan Cook

Israel Opens New Front To Thwart Palestinian State

Israel Opens New Front To Thwart Palestinian State

JONATHAN COOK: A campaign initiated in 2009 now appears to be gathering strength namely equation of Palestinians with Jews who fled Arab countries.

 Juan Cole

A Brief Middle East History Lesson for Mitt Romney

A Brief Middle East History Lesson for Mitt Romney

JUAN COLE: The Presidential candidate appears to be entirely clueless about the recent history of US involvement in the region. Heres’ some help.

 Juan Cole

Israel Apartheid, Avalon and the Smell of Fear

Israel Apartheid, Avalon and the Smell of Fear

JUAN COLE: Ayalon’s despererate and over-the-top rhetoric smells of fear, fear that when South Africa calls you on Apartheid policies, it legitimizes that critique of the Greater Israel project…

 The View From Fez

Mali Islamist Threat That Could Engulf Morocco

Mali Islamist Threat That Could Engulf Morocco

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: While international attention is focused on Syria events in the Maghreb are threatening to spin out of control

 David Roberts

Syria in Balance: Broken Borders, Unbroken Alliances

Syria in Balance: Broken Borders, Unbroken Alliances

DAVID ROBERTS: Russia is unfazed about alienating swathes of the Middle East not to mention the majority of Syrians, believing in time their position can be reasserted

 James M. Dorsey

The Rise and Rise of Turkey: Problems Ahead?

The Rise and Rise of Turkey: Problems Ahead?

JAMES M. DORSEY: Held up as a model of a modern Islamic state Turkey faces some formidable difficulties

 Richard Silverstein

Preventing Iran from Closing the Straits – Something Not Necessarily So Simple…

Preventing Iran from Closing the Straits – Something Not Necessarily So Simple…

RICHARD SILVERSTEIN: The NYT today departs from its usual cheer leading of the U.S. military, acknowledging Iran could close the Straits of Hormuz.

 James M. Dorsey

Syria: Young Goalkeeper Leads Homs Protest

Syria: Young Goalkeeper Leads Homs Protest

JAMES M. DORSEY: A promising young footballer has emerged as the voice of protest in the Syrian city of Homs. He has become a key target for the regime’s security forces.

 James M. Dorsey

Assad Criticism Isolates Iran, Fails to Tackle Key Issues

Assad Criticism Isolates Iran, Fails to Tackle Key Issues

JAMES M. DORSEY: Irrespective of his motives, King Abdullah has made a major contribution to the ending of the bloodletting in Syria.

 Common Ground News Service

Dig In or Engage: Israel’s Stark Choice on Palestine

Dig In or Engage: Israel’s Stark Choice on Palestine

JEROME M. SEGAL, CGNEWS: The ‘internationalising’ of the Palestinian issue has potentially profound consequences for Israel.

 Juan Cole

Goodbye Bin Laden. Now It’s Time to Exit Iraq

Goodbye Bin Laden. Now It’s Time to Exit Iraq

JUAN COLE: Post Osama, President Obama should do us all a favour and now remove U.S. troops from Iraq.

 Mondoweiss

Israeli ‘muscle flexing’ could harm U.S Interests

Israeli ‘muscle flexing’ could harm U.S Interests

ALI GHARIB, MONDOWEISS: Two Iranian warships pass through the Suez Canal and the Israelis howl in protest. The U.S administration quickly falls into line…

 Osama Al Sharif

2010: a Year of Failings and Frustrations

2010: a Year of Failings and Frustrations

OSAMA AL SHARIF: 2010 has established that the region has failed to learn from its past. Failing to resolve conflicts does not mean that they simply go away.

 Ramzy Baroud

Obama – Surrendering Palestinian Rights

Obama – Surrendering Palestinian Rights

RAMZY BAROUD: It looks like President Obama will finish his term having secured no advance in Arab-Israeli negotiations. The Israelis do the talking, Washington does the listening. And the giving…