By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — I find much of the literature on political culture to be persuasive, and I have worked in enough American states and other countries to experience variations myself. People differ in their values and behaviors, and often think that their way is the best or even the only way of dealing with […]
American pep rallies celebrating Bin-Laden’s death were unseemly Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USA
DOROTHY: “I thought you said she was dead.” GLINDA: “That was her sister–the Wicked Witch of the East. This is the Wicked Witch of the West. And she’s worse than the other one was.” –“The Wizard of Oz” By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — It’s astounding that Hamas, Fatah al-Aqsa Brigades, and the Egyptian Muslim
By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — I do not claim expertise on Islam, but when I hear President Barack Obama assert, once again when reporting on the killing of Osama bin Laden, that America’s quarrel is not with Islam, I feel myself hearing that the sun will rise in the west. The claim that Al Qaeda,
U.S. not at war with Islam? How about with some of its branches? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USA
By Rabbi Ben Kamin HIRAM, OHIO—Not too many miles from here, at Kent State University, a dreadful moment is recalled today—May 4, 1970. In the quagmire of the misbegotten Vietnam War, in a nation polarized and traumatized from a decade of civil unrest, racial crucibles, and the successive assassinations of major leaders, the wanton killings
Sobering thoughts on anniversary of Kent State killings Read More »
USABy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — Usama bin Laden is dead. But revolutionary Islamism is very much alive and stronger than ever. Thinking that bin Laden is the main problem and his death is the solution is very dangerous indeed and might well intensify the policies that have been leading toward the victory of his
Revolutionary Islamism still strong following Bin Laden’s demise Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — These are days that cause me to ponder the nature of government. On the one hand, we see the fragility of strong regimes on our borders and not so far away. What may have begun with the rejection of a small business license in Tunisia has spread to where the
Is U.S. power, prestige, resurging with bin-Laden killing? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USABy Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO–God bless the courageous American servicemen and women who masterminded, directed, and fulfilled the special operation in Pakistan that put an end to one of the most sinister human beings who ever lived. We are thankful that our soldiers departed the scene without shedding any of their own blood. We
Fitting that Osama bin Laden died on Yom HaShoah Read More »
USABy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel –The Obama administration no longer considers Syria a potential peace partner for Israel because of its repression against its own people. This is according to media background interviews with government officials. But wait a minute! What do we know about that regime now that we didn’t know–I should say, should
U.S. belatedly realizes Syria is not a peace partner Read More »
Middle East, USA
To my readers: This is a long article, I know. I tried to divide it in two but decided that it would detract from its power to shock and to call for action. It is the result of a long and painful research, and the facts clamored to be put together. Please read it at your
A country so generous, it’s bankrupt Read More »
USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — No one should claim that Barack Obama is a foreign policy sophisticate. His Nobel Peace Prize will keep historians busy speculating for generations. We might forgive his pledges to close Guantanamo and focus the American commitment in Afghanistan as electoral fluff, but Guantanamo is still active as his campaign for
Obama may have Nobel Prize but in foreign policy he needs help Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USABy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — There’s a bit of a mystery regarding Syria. First, who is the opposition? Second, what will happen? Having been the first to warn about the threat and power of Islamists in Egypt, I think that’s earned me some credibility to say that Syria may well be a different case.
Syria’s revolution may hold more promise than Egypt’s Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — Today Syria has entered its biggest internal crisis since 1970. The regime has come out to crush the insurrection. Either it will succeed by killing many people or the insurrection will build into a real potential revolution. And the Western states are doing…precisely zero. One Syrian expert friend responded:
The Big Historic Event Today: Syria’s Biggest Crisis in 40 Years Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pastor Terry Jones is planning a rally at a Detroit-area mosque and a jury is deciding whether he has to post a bond to cover extra security local officials are planning to provide for the demonstrators. Jones doesn’t want to pay – he asked for no extra security and
Yes, Terry Jones is intolerant; by no means, the most intolerant Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USABy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — “Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday condemned violence in Syria and said the Syrian government must stop the arbitrary arrest, detention and torture of prisoners.” There’s a problem with that word “must.” See, you cannot have it both ways. You cannot help overthrow or move away from allies,
Obama administration is not taken seriously by Syria Read More »
International, Middle East, USA