By David P. Goldman WASHINGTON, D.C. — Syria’s two million Kurds have become a wild card in the country’s crisis, after the Assad regime encouraged Kurdish autonomy as a ploy against its Sunni opposition in the ongoing civil war. The importance of the small Syrian Kurdish zone extends far beyond its possible role as a
Syria’s withdrawal from Kurdish areas worries Turkey Read More »
Middle East
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — It’s a pity that gentiles don’t study Talmud. While there are a number of arguments in the Talmud that are pedantic and unexciting, the study of this ancient rabbinic work teaches people how to critically examine a text. During the second debate, President Obama called the
Transcripts tell story of White House and Benghazi Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. –There are two reasons for the U.S. to seek the demise of Bashar Assad’s regime — for what it would mean to Syria and for what it would mean to Iran. The first is insufficient reason for the U.S. to involve itself directly. The second raises the elephant-in-the-room question: “Would
In Obama’s chess game, Israel, Syria and Turkey just pawns Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Evelyn Gordon WASHINGTON, D.C. — One of the most disturbing of many disturbing developments in the Middle East recently is the growing fear among America’s traditional Arab allies that Washington’s support can no longer be relied on. Whether this fear has any valid basis is irrelevant. Last month, for instance, Reuters reported on
Arab allies doubt U.S. steadfastness Read More »
Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Western Iran-watchers have been pleased these past few weeks to see evidence that international sanctions against the Islamic Republic appear to have precipitated the collapse of local currency and demonstrations in the marketplace. The EU added a new sanctions package last week. Finally, they seem to be saying, we’re
Sanctions don’t hurt Iran’s decision makers Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Jacob Kamaras/JNS.org The largest-ever joint defense exercise between the United States and Israel kicked off on Sunday and is lasting for three weeks in the Jewish state. Austere Challenge 12 (AC12), an air and missle defense training exercise, will involve 3,500 U.S. military members and another 1,000 from the Israel Defense Forces, according to
U.S., Israel in joint missile defense exercise Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The rawness of democratic politics does not appear in the most thrilling run-up to the final voting, but in the maneuvering at the early stages. Americans see it in presidential primaries, and even lower on the political food chain in jostling for nominations for governor, senator, House of Representatives, and even lower
Israel’s feisty political brew Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel –A Facebook message that appeared on my computer screen caused me so much shock and dismay that I committed a mortal Facebook sin: I told the person who had put the message up what I thought of him by using insulting language. I regret that reaction. I regret my
In defense of ‘Haaretz’ and ethical behavior Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. –A wave of anti-Jewish violence has taken place in France and Sweden over the past few weeks. The difference in government response is notable, and yet there is something similarly disquieting about their actions. The Swedish government alternately denies the problem, blames the Jews and blames Israel — it recently
Anti-Israelism a mask for anti-Semitism in Sweden, France Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Current politics in the two countries I know best suggest that crowd mentalities are more prevalent than mass enlightenment. Israelis wanting change are attracted by two out-of-office political veterans with criminal records. A poll headlined in Ha’aretz indicates that an as yet uncreated centrist party with Ehud Olmert among its leading names
Herd instincts at work in politics of U.S., Israel Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy JNS.org and Gideon Allon/Israel Hayom Monday marked the official start of a short election season in Israel, with the country’s Knesset legislative body enabling an early election in three months by voting to disband on the first day of its winter session. As has been the norm lately throughout the Jewish state, the
Iran center stage in Israeli elections Read More »
Middle East
By Gary Rotto SAN DIEGO — To counteract the impression that he didn’t have the credentials to be the commander in chief or positions on key international issues, Governor Romney recently put forward his ideas on Syria. Actually, he made like a cliff diver and made a huge splash with great risk. His solution is
Romney’s idea to arm Syrian rebels is folly Read More »
Middle EastWhile rockets fall on southern Israel and Jewish residents remain on high alert, the Israeli Air Force kills two Gaza terrorists who were reportedly the most senior al-Qaida affiliates in the Palestinian enclave, Hisham Saedni and Ashraf al-Sabah. By Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org Two rockets fired by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip exploded in
Israel hit by rockets, kills al-Qaida-affiliated terrorists Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –In Pakistan, this past week, the Taliban shot a young fourteen year old woman named Malala Yousafzai in the head. She is fighting for her life. She was no average target; this was not a random act of gratuitous violence that we read about in the paper.
Standing against the Taliban’s war on women Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East