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.

Analysis: Al-Qaida-style Extremism gains real Power within Hamas

Posted on March 23, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Jerusalem Post- 02/12/2008 Al-Qaida-type Salafi Islam is rising in popularity within the ranks of Hamas. This trend is particularly noticeable in the movement’s armed wing, the Izzadin Kassam Brigades. Observation of this process shows that attempts to draw a clear … Continue reading →

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Analysis: Arab Order and flying Shoes

Posted on March 23, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Jerusalem Post- 16/12/2008 US President George W. Bush’s visit to Iraq this week reflected the mixed legacy of his presidency. The Iraq invasion is likely to be remembered as the defining issue of the Bush era and recent events show … Continue reading →

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Analysis: The Elections and the Pan-Arab Media

Posted on March 23, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Jerusalem Post- 11/02/2009 Reactions in the pan-Arab media to the election results in Israel follow predictable patterns. There is a particular interest in the growth of Avigdor Lieberman’s party. At the same time, there is a tendency to stress that … Continue reading →

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Analysis: Turkey’s shift toward Iran, Syria is no short-term Blip

Posted on March 23, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Jerusalem Post- 19/02/2009 Last weekend, a conference held under the title “Gaza the victory” took place at hotel near Istanbul’s Ataturk airport. The conference brought 200 Sunni clerics and activists together with senior, Damascus-based Hamas officials. Closed meetings held after … Continue reading →

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Analysis: Possible first Fruits of a new Era

Posted on March 23, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Jerusalem Post- 25/02/2009 President Barack Obama, in his first international media interview following his election, told Al-Arabiya that “if countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fist, they will find an extended hand from us.” In addition to the … Continue reading →

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Analysis: Is the US backing down on Iran’s Uranium Enrichment?

Posted on March 23, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Jerusalem Post- 09/04/2009 US President Barack Obama’s speech to the Turkish parliament on Monday was greeted with enthusiasm throughout the Arab world. The speech represented an attempt to mend fences, and was testimony to the administration’s belief in the healing … Continue reading →

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Analysis: Sinai Saga casts Light on new regional Dynamic

Posted on March 23, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Jerusalem Post-16/04/2009 The latest revelations of Hizbullah involvement in northern Sinai cast a sudden light on a silent war currently under way across the Middle East and beyond it. The events in Sinai showcase a number of defining factors of … Continue reading →

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Analysis: Hamas and the Sudanese Connection

Posted on March 23, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Jerusalem Post-26/03/2009 The latest reports of an alleged IAF strike on a Hamas arms convoy in Sudan in January draw attention to an arms network running from Iran, via the Persian Gulf and Yemen to Sudan, Egypt, and finally, Hamas-ruled … Continue reading →

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Analysis: A Conflict with no Name

Posted on March 23, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Jerusalem Post- 14/01/2009 Israel’s Gaza operation is serving to mark in bold relief the fault lines between two regional blocs whose rivalry dominates the region. These are the bloc of broadly pro-Western states, including Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, … Continue reading →

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Analysis: Obama: An Innocent Abroad

Posted on March 21, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Jerusalem Post- 21/05/2009 The London-based Arabic newspaper Al-Quds al-Arabi has published what it claims are key details of the new Middle East peace plan to be presented by President Obama in his speech in Cairo on June 4. Details of … Continue reading →

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