By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–If he is still alive, and if he is still in Gaza, Gilad Shalit has now passed five years as a captive. The lack of certainty reflects the absence of information about his existence for a year or more. His captives have never allowed a visit with an independent source, such as […]
The Shalit debate and demonstrations Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — In 2003, I and the publication I edit, the Middle East Review of International Affairs (MERIA) Journal, became the world’s biggest story for two or three days. Last week I became a “story” without knowing it until later. First, the 2003 experience. An Iraqi-American author submitted a good article
The shameful western ‘don’t botherhood’ of research Read More »
International, Middle EastBy Dan Bloom HUALIEN, Taiwan — For 60-something Grandpa Ba-Su, riding around this seaside town on his advertising tricycle touting his original “mouse bagels” at the local Mud Cafe he runs in the downtown area, is just part of his busy, colorful day here. Sometimes he sports a pair of Groucho Marx glasses and accompanying
Hole-grain treat: the ‘mouse bagel’ of Hualien Read More »
International
By Danny Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan — There I was, minding my own business, as usual, working not out of my wireless cave that day, but in my local internet cafe, since I don’t own a computer and do all my email and surfing chores at the rent-a-computer cafe down the street from the place
This will captcha your imagination: Did computer recognize Hebrew speaker in Taiwan? Read More »
International
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following the Flag & General Officers Program in Israel, the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA) asked the Israeli government why it gives Hamas a “free ride” from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). We wrote, “You let/enable/assist the Red Cross in doing its humanitarian work in the
Red Cross takes a stand on Shalit; CNN, NYT taking sides for Gaza Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– Congressman Howard L. Berman, Ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, submitted the following remarks to the Congressional Record drawing attention to the link between Iran and Syria’s violent repression of the Syrian people. Congressman Berman is working to keep the pressure on the regimes in Damascus and Tehran, and
Berman draws Congress’ attention to Iran’s role in Syria crackdowns Read More »
InternationalBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — In 1966 Senator George Aiken (R Vt) said that America should declare victory and leave Vietnam. What he actually said was more nuanced, but the press simplified it in a way that did not distort his message. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Aiken Between 1966 and the final US pullout marked by the
Obama’s Afghanistan conclusions mirror Israel’s in Mideast Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USAJERUSALEM (Press Release)– Ben-Gurion University of the Negev’s (BGU) Prof. Alon Tal presented the most comprehensive report to date on Israel’s environmental movement. It details the movement’s lack of training, involvement of experts and public support, as well as its perilous dependence on foreign donations. The report, “Israel’s Environmental Movement: Trends, Needs and Potential,” was
Environmentalists say high birth rates, immigration leading Israel to overpopulation Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Israel aspires to be a normal country, but can’t make it. Two issues dominant in recent news are the price of cottage cheese, and a prolonged labor dispute between physicians working in the public sector (the vast majority of the country’s medicine) and several governmental agencies about salary, working conditions, and
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C — The United States is involved in hostilities in five countries across the Middle East and Southwest Asia – Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen and Libya. It is not too much to ask that the Administration explain where, why and what we plan to accomplish. Thus far, there are more questions
President Obama should explain why U.S. fighting five wars Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USA
By Lloyd Levy LONDON–We are witnessing the most remarkable events across the Arab World, but the direction of travel, and the end game, are impossible to foretell. The situation does have many similarities with the Eevolutions that swept the Jewish World in the late 1880’s and early 1900’s.
In the long run, Arab Spring may open Middle East to modernization Read More »
International, Lloyd LevyBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The future is not clear. Yet it is common to frighten or encourage with predictions that appear to be certain. Those who know that things will get worse have no more claim on our time than those who are certain that everything will work out fine. Bibi’s rejection of Obama’s
Trouble with predicting future is that present keeps changing it Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA) is generally sympathetic to the difficulties faced by Jordan’s King Abdullah II. He is a Hashemite ruling a mostly Palestinian and Bedouin country; an excellent security partner to Israel because Israel ensures that he will not be overthrown by Palestinians who believe
Jordan at the crossroads Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – Congressman Howard L. Berman (D-CA) on Thursday, June 16, introduced the Hezbollah Anti-Terrorism Act (HATA), H.R. 2215, with a bipartisan group of original cosponsors including Congressmen Darrell Issa (R-CA), Charles Boustany (R-LA), and Nick Rahall (D-WV). This legislation is necessary to make certain that no U.S. taxpayer funds benefit the terrorist