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.

Netanyahu at a midway Point

Posted on March 16, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Global Politician- 04/10/2010 From 1996-2000, Benjamin Netanyahu served as prime minister of Israel. He was re-elected to the post in 2009. His second period of incumbency is taking place during a time of severe foreign policy challenges for the Jewish … Continue reading →

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Three Years Later, The Core Issues in Lebanon Remain Unsolved

Posted on March 16, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Global Politician- 14/07/2009 Three years have passed since the outbreak of the Second Lebanon War. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon pointed out this week that the cease-fire which ended the war on August 14, 2006, remains fragile. The core issues which … Continue reading →

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The Domino Effect

Posted on March 16, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Global Politician- 27/12/2009 Lebanese Prime Minister Sa’ad Hariri’s December 19 visit to Damascus is the latest marker in the return of the coercive Syrian presence in Lebanon. It is also an indication of Syria’s successful defiance of the west. Hariri’s … Continue reading →

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What Does Assad Want?

Posted on March 16, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Global Politician- 08/03/2010 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 … Continue reading →

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Rewarding Bad Behavior

Posted on March 16, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Global Politician- 12/01/2011 US President Barack Obama’s recent decision to appoint a new ambassador to Damascus is further proof positive of the effectiveness of the strategy pursued by Syria over the last half decade. It also showcases the sense that … Continue reading →

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Hizbullah’s Throne of Bayonets

Posted on March 16, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Global Politician- 27/12/2010 It is obvious that given the true balance of power in Lebanon, the special tribunal investigating the murder of former prime minister Rafik Hariri is largely a virtual exercise. As Michael Young pointed out in a column … Continue reading →

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Illusion and Reality Clash in Lebanon

Posted on March 16, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Global Politician- 08/03/2010 Initially, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon probing the murder of Rafik Hariri focused on Syria. Lately, indications suggest that the main focus is now on Hizbullah. Tension is currently rising in Lebanon, amid reports that the Special … Continue reading →

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Muslim World: Iran’s Execution Binge

Posted on March 15, 2011 by jonathanspyer

22/01/2011 In the early morning hours of Saturday, January 15 in the isolated and overcrowded Orumiyeh prison in western Iran [Iranian Kurdistan], the authorities hanged one of their opponents. Hossein Khazri, an alleged activist with the Party for Free Life … Continue reading →

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The Rise and Rise of Hizb ut-Tahrir

Posted on March 15, 2011 by jonathanspyer

The Guardian- 09/10/2007 Sitting in the best bar in Jerusalem about four months ago (it’s called Sira, in case you’re interested), I entered into conversation with a tall, ginger-haired young man who turned out to be a member of the … Continue reading →

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More United, Less Passionate

Posted on March 15, 2011 by jonathanspyer

The Guardian- 25/03/2006 Three days now remain until the elections in Israel. The election campaign has been the most sedate in living memory. One may walk the main streets of the three main cities, and hardly be disturbed by activists, … Continue reading →

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