Author: Michael Sharnoff

Egypt

Dajani: Morsi Beyond the Islamist Identity

Michael Sharnoff

Mohammed S. Dajani Daoudi writes in a guest column for Levantine Routes

For the next decade, think tanks in the United States and Europe will be analyzing why an Islamist won the Egyptian presidential elections.  To save them the trouble, I will give them the simple answer:  the Egyptian voters did not vote for Mohammed Morsi as an individual or for his election platform.  They did not watch his interviews to see where he stands on the Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty, women, Christians, etc. Continue reading “Dajani: Morsi Beyond the Islamist Identity” →

Egypt

More Danger in Sinai

Michael Sharnoff

A group of unknown Islamist jihadis are believed to be responsible for yesterday’s deadly attack in Sinai which left 16 Egyptians dead.  The Islamists allegedly entered Egypt via Gaza and were perhaps joined by other Bedouin in eastern Sinai.  Their goal was to ultimately infiltrate Israel and kill or kidnap soldiers and civilians.  Hamas for its part has denied any involvement. Continue reading “More Danger in Sinai” →

Syria

Olmert: Aleppo and the Future of Syria

Michael Sharnoff

Josef Olmert writes in a guest column for Levantine Routes

The battle for Aleppo, Syria’s second largest city, is not “the decisive last battle” of the Syrian civil war.  The conflict is clearly leading to the removal of the current leadership from Damascus, as well as Aleppo, but not necessarily from Syria.  The Assad-Alawite –Ba’th regime is preparing the mountainous Alawite region of North-West Syria to be their last bastion, and they can fortify themselves there for a while, even if, as seems inevitable, they will lose control of the main Sunni-dominated regions. Continue reading “Olmert: Aleppo and the Future of Syria” →

Syria

The Rebels in Post-Assad Syria

Michael Sharnoff

syria-2702724_960_720

Published in Wikistrat on Aug. 3, 2012.

Syrian dictator Bashar Assad has been away from the public eye since a spectacular suicide bombing attack rocked Damascus, killing the defense minister and other key officials. Unconfirmed reports stated Assad has fled the capital; either to his Alawite stronghold in Latakia or to his erstwhile ally Russia. His whereabouts have become the case of further speculation after he praised his troops not in a public address or even a pre-audio recording, but in the magazine of the armed forces. Continue reading “The Rebels in Post-Assad Syria” →

China, Israel, Russia

Weekend Thinking: Israel, China and Russia

Michael Sharnoff

In case you missed this week’s important stories from the Middle East and beyond.

Israel

Jonathan Tepperman’s bold essay in The Atlantic argues that while Israel is in a position of strength, it should control its own destiny with the Palestinians.  Although bilateral negotiations have failed to achieve a political settlement, Israeli unilateral actions in the West Bank may be the only pragmatic solution, as a continuation of the status quo in the unpredictable climate of the Middle East coupled with demographic trends could have grave consequences for the sustainability of Israel’s national identity. Continue reading “Weekend Thinking: Israel, China and Russia” →

Egypt

Morsy’s Letter to Peres

Michael Sharnoff
Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy’s letter to Israeli President Shimon Peres.

Peres has verified this exchange on his official Facebook page.

Gaza

Will Gaza Declare Independence?

Michael Sharnoff

There is growing evidence that Hamas in Gaza will unilaterally declare its independence, and disengage from Israel and the West Bank (at least for the time being). Continue reading “Will Gaza Declare Independence?” →

Syria

Expect More Violence, Not Democracy Transition, In Post-Assad Syria

Michael Sharnoff
(Photo: Paul Grover)

When I wrote in a previous post that Assad may deploy chemical weapons against the Syrian opposition in revenge for the July 18 bombing in Damascus, it is equally important to emphasize this type of violence could also occur in a post-Assad Syria. Continue reading “Expect More Violence, Not Democracy Transition, In Post-Assad Syria” →