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WikiLeaks: Egypt’s Choice Not Just Between Authoritarian or Islamist Extremist Regime

We do not accept the proposition that Egypt’s only choices are a slow-to-reform authoritarian regime or an Islamist extremist one… Continue reading

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WikiLeaks: Muslim Brotherhood’s Rise Signals the Need for Greater Democracy and Transparency in Egypt

The Egyptians have a long history of threatening us with the MB bogeyman. Your counterparts may try to suggest that the President’s insistence on greater democracy in Egypt… Continue reading

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WikiLeaks: Turkish Military ‘Plot’ Sparks U.S. Fears for Democracy

On February 22 [2010] police detained 47 retired and active-duty military officers, including 17 flag-grade officers for their alleged involvement in coup plots… Continue reading

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Syrian Authorities Break Up Protest

Why are moderate Arab regimes — even if dictatorships — shaken by protest while hardline ones aren’t? Because at the least sign of trouble the radical governments… Continue reading

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How American ‘Experts’ View the Islamist Threat

As I pointed out recently the mass media in America generally presents only one side of the debate nowadays. Then, it publishes nonsense which survives because… Continue reading

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Netanyahu: Egyptian Revolt Proves Israel Needs Strong, Solid Security Arrangements

Yesterday was a dramatic day in our region. Millions of people poured into the streets of Egypt. President Mubarak, who has ruled Egypt for 30 years, announced that… Continue reading

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Turkey and the EU: The Disappearing Vision

On December 31, 2010, Belgium’s six month presidency of the EU closed without any chapters in Turkey’s membership negotiations being opened. It was the first time an EU presidency… Continue reading

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Egyptian ‘Moderate Democratic’ Leader Negotiating Coalition Government with Islamists

As I’ve been warning, Muhammed al-Baradei, seen as the leading “moderate, pro-democratic” leader in Egypt is negotiating with the Muslim Brotherhood to form… Continue reading

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Assad: anti-US and anti-Israel Stance will Save Him from an Uprising

Syrian president Bashar al-Assad believes he has more time for reforms, because of his anti-US and anti-Israel policy. He believes Egypt is suffering for its connection with the U.S. and Israel… Continue reading

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U.S. Policy Toward Algeria as a Case Study for the Egypt Crisis

Two former ambassadors and several current and former U.S. diplomats have written me agreeing with my warnings regarding Egypt… Continue reading

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Iranian Opposition Leader Mousavi on Egypt and Tunisia Rebellions

It is interesting to point out that there are two Iranian models for what’s happening now. I am not saying that anyone is consciously thinking in these terms… Continue reading

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Germany Banned the anti-Israeli Movie “Valley of the Wolves: Palestine”

Germany banned the distribution of the anti-Israeli movie “Valley of the Wolves: Palestine,” which was supposed to premiere on January 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day… Continue reading

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WikiLeaks: Egypt’s Bloggers Take on Key Role as Political Activists

Egypt’s bloggers are playing an increasingly important role in broadening the scope of acceptable political and social discourse, and self-expression… Continue reading

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The Revolt in Egypt and U.S. Policy

There is no good policy for the United States regarding the uprising in Egypt but the Obama Administration may be adopting something close to the worst option… Continue reading

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The Egyptian Revolt: I’m Worried that Others Aren’t Worried

It is tempting to see this as a revolution that will bring down the regime. But Egypt is not Tunisia. And while the demonstrations are passionate… Continue reading

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Saudi King Condemns Egypt Protesters, Warns for Instability

Saudi Arabia’s king condemned protesters in Egypt on Saturday as “infiltrators and looters” seeking to destabilize their country… Continue reading

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Iranian Reactions to Tunisia’s “Jasmine Revolution”

This week, Iran’s media extensively covered the dramatic happenings in Tunisia and President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali’s escape from the country… Continue reading

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Revolt in Tunisia: When Arab Regimes Do (and Do Not) Tremble

Is the Arab world really in shock over the Tunisian upheaval? Is this really a symptom for a coming upheaval in the Arab world… Continue reading

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WikiLeaks: France Under Fire over Support for Tunisia

The French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, was accused Monday of tacitly propping up dictatorship in north Africa and of botched diplomacy in France’s ambivalent response to… Continue reading

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WikiLeaks: Finding a Successor to Ben Ali in Tunisia

According to a 2006 cable, the US thinks that the US-Tunisian bilateral relationship is likely to remain unaffected by a departure of Ben Ali in the future… Continue reading

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Democracy’s Balancing Act

When I started drawing the Dry Bones cartoons, way back in January of 1973, the accepted wisdom was that the future for a democratic Middle East was tied to the fortunes of Christian Lebanon, the secular government of Muslim Turkey, and the Jewish State of Israel… Continue reading

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IDF Chief Expresses Personal Thoughts on Ethics to all IDF Commanders and Soldiers

On Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010, IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, sent to every commander in the IDF a letter in which he expressed his personal thoughts on ethics with regards to several recent incidents that had occurred… Continue reading

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Muslim Brotherhood Leader Wants A Jihadi Generation That Pursues Death

When the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood–the main opposition group in Jordan and Egypt, and the most powerful Muslim group in Europe, calls for Jihad against the West, people better sit up and take notice… Continue reading

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Israeli Cabinet Passes Loyalty Oath For New Citizens

The Israeli Cabinet on Sunday has approved an amendment to a citizenship law that requires new citizens (non-Jews) to declare their loyalty to a “Jewish and democratic state” to receive Israeli citizenship. The new oath would not apply to immigrants coming to Israel under… Continue reading

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Kyrgyzstan Coup Through Iranian Eyes

The coup in the former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan, in which masses of demonstrators managed to topple the government of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and force him out of his country, drew considerable interest in Iran as well… Continue reading