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.

We’ll take the Dowry – You keep the Bride

Posted on March 27, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Jerusalem Post- 31/07/2008 A fourth round of indirect talks between Syrian and Israeli representatives was concluded in Istanbul this week and as the Turkish mediators kept themselves in shape conveying messages between the hotel rooms of the two countries’ delegations, … Continue reading →

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Assad’s Shopping List

Posted on March 27, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Jerusalem Post- 20/08/2008 President Bashar Assad of Syria began a trip to Russia this week. Russian news agency RIA Novosti has quoted the Syrian Information Ministry as confirming that the trip will last two days. According to the statement, the … Continue reading →

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7 years after 9/11, al-Qaida is in Disarray

Posted on March 27, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Jerusalem Post- 11/09/2008 # Seven years after September 11, 2001, al-Qaida as an organization is seen by many analysts to be in some disarray. One prominent observer of the network depicts it as having been reduced to a core of … Continue reading →

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The Gardeners of Beirut

Posted on March 27, 2011 by jonathanspyer

23/10/2008 An anecdote recently told me by a senior source in the Arab media indicates the process by which Hizbullah is rebuilding its strength south of the Litani River. The source, who is well connected in Lebanon, related the story … Continue reading →

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US Raid shows Assad’s over-Estimation

Posted on March 27, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Jerusalem Post- 29/10/2008 This week’s US raid across the Iraqi-Syrian border resembles a number of similar actions carried out by American forces against al-Qaida targets over the last year in the North Waziristan area of Pakistan. It demonstrates a US … Continue reading →

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Assad’s looming Downfall?

Posted on March 27, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Jerusalem Post-25/03/2011 In southern Syria, the uprising against President Bashar Assad is continuing. On Wednesday, six people, including a doctor from a prominent local family, were killed when the security forces entered the Omari mosque in Daraa. Later in the … Continue reading →

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Muqawama Rules

Posted on March 25, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Jerusalem Post, 25/3/11 In southern Syria, the uprising against President Bashar Assad is continuing. On Wednesday, six people, including a doctor from a prominent local family, were killed when the security forces entered the Omari mosque in Daraa. Later in … Continue reading →

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Analysis: The Gardeners of Beirut

Posted on March 23, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Jerusalem Post- 23/10/2008 An anecdote recently told me by a senior source in the Arab media indicates the process by which Hizbullah is rebuilding its strength south of the Litani River. The source, who is well connected in Lebanon, related … Continue reading →

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Analysis: US Raid shows Assad’s Over-Estimation

Posted on March 23, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Jerusalem Post- 29/10/2008 This week’s US raid across the Iraqi-Syrian border resembles a number of similar actions carried out by American forces against al-Qaida targets over the last year in the North Waziristan area of Pakistan. It demonstrates a US … Continue reading →

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Analysis: Israel’s reluctant Allies

Posted on March 23, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Jerusalem Post- 25/12/2008 There has recently been a significant increase in tension between major Arab states. The ongoing crisis in Gaza is the focus for the deterioration in relations, though it is only one aspect of a larger picture. The … Continue reading →

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