Author Archives: jonathanspyer

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About jonathanspyer

Jonathan Spyer is a Middle East analyst, author and journalist specializing in the areas of Israel, Syria and broader issues of regional strategy. He is the director of the Middle East Center for Reporting and analysis (MECRA), a research fellow at the Jerusalem Institute for strategy and Security (JISS) and a Fellow at the Middle East Forum.

Arab Summit, Iranian Agenda

Posted on April 5, 2011 by jonathanspyer

05/04/2009 The issues that dominated the 21st Arab League summit in Doha, Qatar, this week testified to the weakness and disunity of the Arab states. Sunni Arabs are the majority population group in the Middle East. Yet the Doha agenda … Continue reading →

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Re-Packaging Illusion

Posted on April 5, 2011 by jonathanspyer

28/03/2010 The Obama administration’s approach to the Middle East is characterized by an apparent desire to revive the sunny illusions of the 1990s peace process – in an era that is far more uncertain and dangerous. This is particularly noticeable … Continue reading →

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The West Should Use Resolution 1701 to Roll Back Hizbullah’s Effective Take-over of the Lebanese Government

Posted on April 5, 2011 by jonathanspyer

22/04/2010 The summoning by the United States of Syrian Deputy Chief of Mission Zouheir Jabbour for a review of Syrian arms transfers to Hizbullah is the latest evidence of the serious basis to the recent tensions in the north. Syria … Continue reading →

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What Does Assad Want?

Posted on April 5, 2011 by jonathanspyer

07/03/2010 In Damascus last week, the full array of leaders of the so-called ‘resistance bloc’ came together in a series of meetings. Presidents Ahmedinejad of Iran and Assad of Syria were there, alongside a beaming Khaled Meshal of Hamas and … Continue reading →

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Afghanistan Shows Iran’s Stake in Regional Insecurity

Posted on April 5, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Jerusalem Post- 04/05/2009 A month ago, US President Barack Obama announced a new strategy to address the current crisis in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Obama’s plan to ‘disrupt, dismantle and defeat’ al-Qaida and the Taliban in ‘Afpak’ includes deployment of an … Continue reading →

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Analysis: Damascus Gets What it Needs

Posted on April 5, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Jerusalem Post- 13/05/2009 In his letter to Congress announcing the renewal of US sanctions on Syria, President Barack Obama was specific regarding the reasons for his decision. Syria, the President said, was “supporting terrorism, pursuing weapons of mass destruction and … Continue reading →

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Imagined Partners

Posted on April 5, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Gloria Center- 25/03/2008 The Middle East is currently divided between an alliance of radical Islamist and associated states and organizations, which take support and inspiration from Iran, on the one hand, and a coalition of pro-Western states, on the other. … Continue reading →

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Analysis: The Legacy of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh

Posted on April 5, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Gloria Center- 26/03/2010 Wherever departed Hamas official Mahmoud al-Mabhouh is now, he is presumably enjoying the considerable trouble the nature of his exit is causing his Israeli enemies. The British decision to expel an unnamed Israeli diplomat following the conclusion … Continue reading →

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A New, Old and Ugly Spirit

Posted on April 5, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Haaretz- 06/09/2009 The article in the popular Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet alleging the Israel Defense Forces were involved in organ theft was the latest and most heinous example of an increasingly familiar phenomenon: classic anti-Semitic tropes and expressions of open hostility … Continue reading →

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Analysis: Suddenly, the Arab World Wakes Up to Yemen’s Rebellion

Posted on April 5, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Gloria Center- 20/12/2009 The 30th summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council, meeting in Kuwait this week, expressed its solidarity with Saudi Arabia in its fight with the Shi’ite Houthi rebels in northern Yemen. The Kuwaiti emir noted that Saudi Arabia … Continue reading →

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