History and Politics of the Modern Middle East
This article was published in the Huffington Post on December 27, 2012.
Go here for Part One
Nine months ago, I wrote that the 22 member Arab League and 56 member Organization of Islamic Cooperation demanded a UN (Western) intervention in Syria to protect Syrian civilians against President Bashar al-Assad’s brutal crackdown. Continue reading “What Is the Purpose of the Arab League? (Part Two)”
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
Idrees Mohammed writes in a guest column for Levantine Routes
Turkey’s relationship with the Kurds is a sensitive and major longstanding political issue. Paradoxically, Ankara is aware that it needs to better address Turkish-Kurdish ties and implement reforms, yet its inability to achieve genuine progress is a liability for Turkey’s national interests and foreign relations. This is exemplified by Turkey’s precarious relationship with Syria. Continue reading “Mohammed: Turkey’s Best Kurdish Option”
Michael Sharnoff, PhD 