International

Obama-backed Egyptian candidate threatens war on Israel

By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — Everything has been so predictable. Designated “moderate” and U.S.-backed Egyptian leader Muhammad ElBaradei has made a profoundly shocking statement that should change U.S. policy overnight, show how disastrous Obama Administration policy was, and mark the beginning of the coming electoral defeat for the president. But presumably nothing will change. ElBaradei, […]

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Middle East, USA

World should know: Hezbollah is planning next war against Israel

  By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. –Richard Goldstone wants us to believe that if only Israel had cooperated with the cabal investigating Operation Cast Lead, the result would have been different. What then has he to say about the new IDF report that Hezbollah has been digging under hundreds of villages in southern Lebanon, hiding

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Middle East, Shoshana Bryen

How The Bizarre World of Middle East Studies Messes Up U.S. Foreign Policy

Lawrence puts his hand in the flame of a match after lighting a cigarette. POTTER: Ow! It damn well hurts. LAWRENCE: Certainly, it hurts! POTTER: Well, what’s the trick then? LAWRENCE: The trick, William Potter, is not minding that it hurts. –“Lawrence of Arabia,” the film. By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel –Engaging in Middle East

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International, Middle East, USA

Syrian Revolution Takes Off. Where is American Support?

By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel –As of today, one can say that the revolution in Syria must be taken seriously. Not only were the demonstrations large but also they had spread to additional parts of the country and involved different religious and ethnic communities. Of course, there is a big difference between Egypt and Syria.

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International, Middle East, USA

Condemning Gaza rocket storage not the same as condemning attacks on Israel

By Bruce Kesler ENCINITAS, California — The New York Times reports that the Palestinian Center for Human Rights “took the unusual step this week of condemning the building and storage of anti-Israel rockets in densely populated areas, a practice that has led to injuries and deaths of civilians.” “Unusual” isn’t quite the word for it. The

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Middle East

Assad, with Army support, suppresses demonstrations; Egypt leans toward Iran

By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — Nowadays, Western officials and journalists seem to think that if you are a Middle East dictator and people start demonstrating you might give up, pack your bags, let your Swiss banker know to get the money ready, and make a run for it. That’s an illusion. The question is really: Who are the people

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International, Middle East