For Netanyahu Iran Is About ‘Apocalypse’ and ‘Mushroom Clouds’
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu demanded on Sunday that the world community constrain Iran to change its “genocidal policy” toward Israel, in the course of a speech in which he attacked President Obama’s current round of negotiations with Iran over its civilian nuclear enrichment program.
JUAN COLE: It appears that a light foam forms on Binyamin Netanyahu’s lips when he begins speaking about Iran. Not all Israeli politicians are like him
‘Bye Bye, America, Hello, Russia’: Arab World Turns
An Egyptian delegation heading to Moscow just after the United States cut $300 million out of its aid package to Cairo to punish the July 3 military coup there has raised speculation that Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s military junta is shopping for a new superpower patron. In the 1960s at the height of the Cold […]
The Rouhani/Zarif Twitter Exchange: Improved Dialogue?
MICHAEL FELSEN, CGNEWS: A recent exchange of tweets hints at a more positive future dialogue between two regional superpowers.
Cutting Egypt’s Military Aid: Washington’s Dangerous Game
JAMES M. DORSEY: It’s clear that Washington has embarked on a major re-alignment of its strategic resources in the Middle East.
Sectarian Divisions Being Played Out on the Football Field
Sectarian divisions fuelling conflict across the Middle East have spilt on to the soccer pitch with Iraq’s decision to boycott the Gulf Cup and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) warning the Iraqi government not to interfere in the game. It is hard to separate the divisions between Sunni and Shiite Muslims that governments in Bahrain […]
Israel and Iran: A Lot More In Common Than They Think
JUAN COLE: Binyamin Netanyahu’s observations on Iranian jeans-wearing provoked much mirth but the two countries have a lot in common.
Strike on Syria: The Lobby’s In Overdrive
MONDOWEISS: As the vote in Congress nears there is one group of ‘cheerleaders for war’ who are working particularly hard.
U.S. Iran Oil Policy: Whose Interest Is It?
Not since President Roosevelt told Japan in July 1941 that he was going to cut it off from American petroleum has the United States threatened to use oil to strangle a country so completely.
JUAN COLE: Not since President Roosevelt told Japan in July 1941 that he was going to cut it off from American petroleum has the United States threatened to use oil to strangle a country so completely.
Gulf rivalries and the Soccer Pitch: Persian or Gulf?
The battle between Iran and various Gulf state for the identity of the energy-rich region has spilled onto its soccer pitches. It’s the Persian Gulf League vs. the Arabian Gulf League.
JAMES M. Dorsey: The battle between Iran and various Gulf state for the identity of the energy-rich region has spilled onto its soccer pitches. It’s the Persian Gulf League vs. the Arabian Gulf League.
‘A Mental Defect’, Mr Brooks? Try Looking in the Mirror.
DANIEL M. VARISCO: David Brooks is taking a dangerous road by ascribing what he calls ‘mental deficiencies’ to the Egyptian people.
Rouhani’s Election: Clock’s Ticking on Golden Opportunity
AMBASSADOR WILLIAM GREEN, CGNEWS: I’ve been involved in negotiatons with Iran for more than fifty years. I believe we need to capitalise quickly on the new situation
‘The Devil’s Fire’: Syria’s Unique Blend of Pure Horror
STEVE ROYSTON: The situation in Syria is so desperate, so serious and so wide-ranging that it has the potential to affect every individual living in the region
‘Domestic Issue Deflection?’ Morsi’s Call for Syrian Action
JUAN COLE: President Morsi’s called for a no-fly zone over Syria. He is, though, facing a raft of serious issues at home
“Game Changer”: Is This The Phrase That Will Haunt Obama?
DANIEL M. VARISCO: For George W. Bush the phrase was ‘Mission Accomplished’. For his successor there could be another phrase that defines his foreign affair policy
Clinton Tries To Set Up Obama As ‘Patsy to The Hawks’
JUAN COLE: Bill Clinton has criticised President Obama for not providing stronger military support for the Syrian opposition. His own record on military intervention isn’t so good.
World Cup Qualifier Comes At A ‘Volatile Moment’ in Iran
JAMES M. DORSEY: Today’s World Cup qualifier will be monitored closely by the authorities in Tehran
Iran-US Relations Thaw, Politics Continues
Iran and the US have growing technical agreement over the nuclear dispute, which will only become useful if the political leaders on both sides want to make a deal.
FRANCIS MATTHEW: A technical agreement over the nuclear dispute will only be useful if leaders on both sides want to make a deal.
The Linguistic Composition Of Iran
The only thing better than a nice map is a particularly informative nice map, like this one on Arab dialects or the one above….
The Problem With ‘Argo’: An Orientalist Viewpoint
JUAN COLE: The Iranian ‘baddies’ come from a very old school of stock Middle Eastern characters. Wouldn’t it have been a good idea to show why they were angry?
