Russia
Analysis: Russia’s Syria shift a bid to guard image, interests
Author Archives: CJ Radin
Some remarkable facts about the ‘US Strategy for Counterterrorism’
The US is shifting its counterterrorism focus to Yemen, Somalia, and North Africa, as it believes al Qaeda has been defeated in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
US continues drawdown of military forces in Afghanistan
The US has announced the second stage of its drawdown of forces from Afghanistan, apparently.
Iraq
Obama confronted al-Maliki on “secret alliance” with Sadr – White House source
Syria
Inside Syria: Soldiers defecting to join rebels
Syria
Syrian government troops attacked the rebellious city of Hama with an armored assault. For the second time in two day, rebels attacked Syrian army troops, killing 8. A US State Department official said “Our view is that this regime is the equivalent of dead men walking.”
Egypt
Egypt held its second round of parliamentary elections; Islamist parties won 65 percent of the seats in the first round. Rival Islamic parties are seeking to extent their first round lead.
Syria
Homs: ‘Capital of the Syrian revolution’
Iraq
Arrests in Iraq Raise Concerns About Maliki
Syria
Government forces killed 17 people while rebel soldiers killed seven police in an ambush. The head of the UN Rights Commission said the death toll has reached 5,000. Syria’s UN ambassador disputed the number, saying UN officials are “suffering from Syrianophobia”
Turkey
Turkey – Erdoğan blames dictators for bloodshed in Middle East
Iraq
Iran’s bid for power in postwar Iraq
Syria
French accusations put Syria’s allies in spotlight
China
A few Chinese hacker teams do most US data theft: experts
Hamas
Hamas in Gaza says it’s learning from Arab Spring
Lebanon
A roadside bomb wounded five French peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. Lebanese leaders condemned the attack on the French forces.
Israel
Fighting erupted in Gaza after Israeli air strikes killed four Palestinians on Thursday. Palestinian fighters responded with a barrage of rockets. Another Israeli air strike was followed by further rocket attacks on Friday. Palestinian factions discussed the possibility of a ceasefire.
Syria
The Syrian government issued an ultimatum to the people of Homs to end protests in 72 hours or face a new offensive. A defected Syrian officer said 160 Hezbollah and Iranian Revolutionary Guard members have been killed during clashes with the Free Syrian Amy. An opposition leader wants Free Syrian Army rebels to rein in […]
Egypt
Egypt Islamists on collision course with military
Saudi Arabia
Saudi may join nuclear arms race
Egypt
The Muslim Brotherhood won 24 of 44 seat in the first round of the parliamentary elections. Egypt’s interim army rulers handed over presidential powers to the Prime Minister but kept control of military affairs and the judiciary. Salafist clerics issue a series of fatwas, including prohibiting Muslims from voting for Coptic candidates or their Muslim […]
Syria
President Assad denied ordering a crackdown and “most of the people that have been killed are supporters of the government.” Dozens of bloodied bodies, some of them mutilated and bearing signs of torture, were found in the streets Homs the last 24 hours. Both the US and French ambassadors returned to Syria, previously having left […]
Israel
Analysis: Israel’s Iran strategy: Bombs? Bluff? Both?
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Nervous Gulf stresses unity amid Iran tensions
Egypt
Egypt’s Legislature Faces Islamist Split
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Analysis: Cold War with Iran heats up across Mideast
Egypt
Islamists seek to extend gains in Egypt run-off vote
Iran
Blast That Leveled Base Seen as Big Setback to Iran Missiles
Syria
At least a dozen Syrian secret police have defected from an intelligence compound. The main opposition leader said that a post-Assad regime would would drop special ties to Iran. The Arab League won’t lift sanctions against Syria even after the country accepted its proposal on observers.
Palestinian Territories
Hamas is abandoning its headquarters in Syria and looking at other Arab states for a replacement. In response, Iran threatened to cut Hamas’ funds and arms supply.