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.

Subtly and determinedly, Syria is taking over Lebanon

Posted on March 10, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Global Politician 08/08/2008 Lebanese President Michel Suleiman is to visit Syria next week, to discuss the opening of diplomatic relations between the countries, a Lebanese official told reporters this week. French President Nicolas Sarkozy last month hailed President Bashar Assad’s … Continue reading →

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Assad’s Shopping List

Posted on March 10, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Global Politician- 27/08/2008 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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Damascus Gets What it Needs

Posted on March 10, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Global Politician- 25/05/2009 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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Syria’s Goose Lays a Golden Egg

Posted on March 10, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Global Politician- 27/07/2009 Washington’s decision to return its ambassador to Syria is the latest stage in the present administration’s policy of engagement with Damascus. It relates most importantly to the US desire to secure Syrian cooperation in the build-up to … Continue reading →

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Hezbollah’s Delusions

Posted on March 10, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Global Politician- 12/10/2009 The latest events in Lebanon offer an image in miniature of larger regional developments. The Iranian-backed Shi’ite Islamist movement Hezbollah is pursuing a long-term strategy intended to eventually deliver Lebanon into its hands. In the short term, … Continue reading →

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Welcome to the New Israeli Politics

Posted on March 9, 2011 by jonathanspyer

The Guardian- 29/03/2006 You will need to forget a large amount of what you thought you knew about Israel. The clash between Gush Emunim and Peace Now, between Labour and Likud, between the Whole Land of Israel and the New … Continue reading →

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What is Israel’s Endgame in Gaza

Posted on March 9, 2011 by jonathanspyer

The Guardian- 12/01/2009 As Israel’s operation Cast Lead in Gaza enters its third week, questions are increasingly being asked regarding its aims. Is Israel’s ultimate objective the fall of the Hamas regime in Gaza? Or is Israel maintaining military pressure … Continue reading →

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Terrorism: A Weak State incubates Terror

Posted on March 9, 2011 by jonathanspyer

05/11/2010 The revelations this week of a sophisticated plot emanating from the Yemen-based al- Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula organization have belatedly re focused attention on this most backward and poverty stricken of Arab states. The sending of explosive packages … Continue reading →

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The Unfinished War

Posted on March 9, 2011 by jonathanspyer

29/10/2009 The explosion in the south Lebanese village of Tayr Felseir offers the latest evidence of the way in which Hizbullah is rebuilding its infrastructure following the Second Lebanon War in 2006. In the pre-2006 period, Hizbullah maintained its military … Continue reading →

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For Assad, Conflict is a Raison d’Etre

Posted on March 9, 2011 by jonathanspyer

05/09/2009 The Baghdad government’s assertion of Syrian responsibility for the explosions which killed more than 100 people in Iraq on August 19 has re focused attention to Syrian policy vis-a-vis its eastern neighbor. Syria’s approach in Iraq offers a prime … Continue reading →

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