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.

 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.

 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

 Editor, MEP

EU Tightens Sanctions on Syria

VIDEO, EURONEWS: EU foreign ministers agreed on Monday to tighten sanctions on Syria, further upping the pressure on President Bashar Assad’s regime.

 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

 David Roberts

Days, Weeks or Months But Assad’s Fall is Assured

Days, Weeks or Months But Assad’s Fall is Assured

DAVID ROBERTS: The tactical masterstroke that the Free Syrian Army unleashed on Assad’s regime marks a spiral downwards for the regime

 Eman-Al-Nafjan

No More ‘Jaw-Jaw’ on Syria: Action Needed

No More ‘Jaw-Jaw’ on Syria: Action Needed

EMAN AL-NAFJAN: Syria seems to have captured the attention of the region’s religious leaders but still the international community just talks

 James M. Dorsey

China Gets It Wrong in MidEast. Again.

China Gets It Wrong in MidEast. Again.

JAMES M. DORSEY: China’s veto of the U.N’s resolution condemning Syria is a watershed moment for its involvement in the Middle East.

 Jonathan Cook

Israel Backs Itself Into Dangerous Cul-De-Sac

Israel Backs Itself Into Dangerous Cul-De-Sac

JONATHAN COOK: 2011 marked the point at which the Palestinians called Israel’s bluff and revealed Oslo to be nothing more than a stalling tactic. What does the upcoming year hold?

 Ramzy Baroud

Controlling Syria’s Future: In Whose Hands?

Controlling Syria’s Future: In Whose Hands?

RAMZY BAROUD: The lines are thus drawn, between US-led Western camp and Russia and its own camp, which vehemently rejects a repeat of a Libyan scenario.

 Juan Cole

The Inevitably Brutal End of Qaddafi’s ‘Cult’

The Inevitably Brutal End of Qaddafi’s ‘Cult’

JUAN COLE: The demise of Qaddafi means there’s a contiguous bloc of 100 million Arabs who’ve thrown off dictatorship. The violent end was inevitable.

 Jonathan Cook

Netanyahu: ‘Israel is Jewish. Agree Or Else’

Netanyahu: ‘Israel is Jewish. Agree Or Else’

JONATHAN COOK: The demand has risen to the top of the Israeli agenda and if accepted will condemn Palestinians as ‘historic interlopers and trespassers’.

 Ramzy Baroud

The American Threat to Syria’s Revolution

The American Threat to Syria’s Revolution

RAMZY BAROUD: The American ambassador to Syria has established an ‘up and at ’em’ reputation. But what is the bigger picture for the United States in Syria at the moment?

 Rob L. Wagner

Saudi Education: The Power Struggle Heats Up

Saudi Education: The Power Struggle Heats Up

ROB L. WAGNER: A new secondary school textbook highlights the struggle between liberals and conservatives within the Saudi Ministry for Education.

 Mondoweiss

“Let’s Negotiate Division of Pizza While I Eat It”

“Let’s Negotiate Division of Pizza While I Eat It”

PHILIP WEISS, MONDOWEISS: So the Israelis decide to build another 1,110 home on occupied land. How does the US State Department believe Palestinians should respond?

 Crossroads Arabia

Saudis and U.S. Clash Over Palestine Vote

Saudis and U.S. Clash Over Palestine Vote

CROSSROADS ARABIA: Another casualty of the upcoming UN vote on Palestinian statehood is likely to be relations between the United States and its long-term ally Saudi Arabia.

 James M. Dorsey

Damage limitation: China and Russia’s Options

Damage limitation: China and Russia’s Options

JAMES M. DORSEY: China and Russia could quietly establish relations with Syrian protesters if and when Mr. Assad is forced to relinquish power.

 Common Ground News Service

Lebanese Politics: More Women Needed

Lebanese Politics: More Women Needed

CGNEWS: Not a single woman was appointed to the recently unveiled Lebanese cabinet. 30 men now govern Lebanon. It’s, unfortunately, indicative of larger problems in society.

 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.

 James M. Dorsey

U.S. bets on EU, Turkey to Add Sting to Syria Sanctions

U.S. bets on EU, Turkey to Add Sting to Syria Sanctions

JAMES M. DORSEY: The Obama administration has been working hard behind the scenes to enlist the EU and Turkey in efforts to isolate Syria.