Tag: Syria

Syria

Terra Incognita Interview

Michael Sharnoff

My interview on the situation in Syria with the Greek-based program Terra Incognita.

Jordan

October 1-8, 2012 Links

Michael Sharnoff

Jordan, a nation which lacks natural resources and is heavily dependent on foreign assistance, is a strong US ally. While King Abdullah has prevented “Arab Spring” uprisings like in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Yemen and Syria, he faces unprecedented challenges. A growing number of Jordanians are advocating that Jordan transform from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. A few have faced criminal charges for directly criticizing the King. Continue reading “October 1-8, 2012 Links” →

Links

September 24-30, 2012 Links

Michael Sharnoff

Last week stories you may have missed from the Middle East and beyond:

“Protesters Burn Bangladesh Buddhist Temples” Al-Jazzera
“Qatar Urges ‘Arab Intervention’ in Syria” The Sydney Morning Herald
“Egypt Mulling Qatari Proposal for Arab Intervention in Syria: Morsi Aide” Ahram Online
“Turkey’s Kurdish Calculus” Wall Street Journal
“Israel Finance Minister Says Iran Economy ‘on Verge of Collapse‘” Reuters
“Arab Spring Affects Countries Differently, Says King” Jordan News Agency
“Many Egyptians Fear Morsi May be an Autocratic Leader Who Replaced Another” Washington Post

Links

September 11-18, 2012 Links

Michael Sharnoff

I was recently interviewed on Greek TV to discuss the Syrian conflict and Russia’s role in vetoing U.N. resolutions which would sanction the Assad regime. Russia has clearly sided with Damascus in its crackdown against anti-regime protestors which has gone on for 18 months and has caused at least 20,000 deaths and tens of thousands of refugees. This has been extremely frustrating for Western powers, Turkey and some Gulf states which want the Syrian dictator to step down. Continue reading “September 11-18, 2012 Links” →

Lebanon

Weekend Thinking: Eye on Lebanon

Michael Sharnoff

While King Abdullah has managed to prevent the Syrian civil war from destabilizing Jordan, Lebanon, with its fragile government, delicate sectarian balance and history of invasions, wars and occupations, may not be as lucky. Continue reading “Weekend Thinking: Eye on Lebanon” →

Syria

The Syrian Morality Test

Michael Sharnoff

Published in the Huffington Post on Aug. 16, 2012.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which comprises 57 nations and represents Muslims worldwide, has agreed to suspend Syria’s membership for the extreme brutality of Bashar Assad’s regime. Iran, Syria’s sole Middle Eastern ally, rejects the decision. Continue reading “The Syrian Morality Test” →

Syria

Dajani: The George Washington of Syria

Michael Sharnoff

Amjad Dajani writes in a guest column for Levantine Routes

It is without a doubt that we are witnessing history repeat itself. A career military man has rebelled against an army he previously served and founded an army of ragtag revolutionaries to fight against despotism. No, this not a re-telling of George Washington’s revolutionary career against the British but a telling of Riyad al-Assad’s revolt against the Ba’athist Army in Syria. Continue reading “Dajani: The George Washington of Syria” →

Israel

Weekend Thinking: Israel-Iran

Michael Sharnoff

Reuters reports that both the Israeli prime minister and defense minister want to eliminate Iranian nuclear sites before U.S. elections in November. These threats seek to achieve two aims: to scare Iran into abandoning its nuclear program (a prospect which seems unlikely) and to explore the possibility of attacking Iran while Americans are preoccupied with choosing their next president. Continue reading “Weekend Thinking: Israel-Iran” →