Tag Archives: Iran

Gaza – Year Zero

Posted on March 7, 2011 by jonathanspyer

The Guardian-22/06/2007 The Hamas coup that took place in Gaza last week is an event of historic importance. For the first time in the region, Islamist fighters took on the internationally recognized forces of a western-subsidized Arab nationalist client – … Continue reading →

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Appearance is Everything

Posted on March 7, 2011 by jonathanspyer

The Guardian- 08/08/2007 US Secretary of State Condolleeza Rice has now completed her four day trip to the Middle East. Dr. Rice was evidently well-pleased at what she found, describing herself as “impressed by the seriousness of (Olmert and Abbas) … Continue reading →

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Virtual Diplomacy, Real Damage

Posted on March 7, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Jerusalem Post-29/11/2009 The statement by French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Riyadh last week expressing French willingness to mediate talks between Syria and Israel is the latest indication of Syria’s emergence from diplomatic isolation. Damascus has largely rebuilt its links with … Continue reading →

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New Manifesto reveals a more Sophisticated, Confident Hizbullah

Posted on March 7, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Jerusalem Post-15/12/2009 Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah this week announced the publication of a new political manifesto, outlining the goals of his movement. The document is the successor to Hizbullah’s first manifesto, published in 1985, and many regional analysts have hailed … Continue reading →

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Lebanon: Conflict widens to Syria

Posted on March 7, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Jerusalem Post-03/02/2010 In the last week, senior Israeli policymakers made statements of an uncharacteristically bellicose nature regarding Syria. It is unlikely that these statements were made because of sudden random irritation toward Israel’s hostile northeastern neighbor.  Rather, the statements probably … Continue reading →

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Muslim World: Iran – The End is not Nigh

Posted on March 7, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Jerusalem Post-02/01/2010 The ongoing demonstrations in Iran are testimony to the continued strength and resilience of Iranian civil society. They make a mockery of the Islamic Republic’s ambition of offering a model for successful Muslim governance to the world. The … Continue reading →

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Malevolent Inspiration

Posted on March 7, 2011 by jonathanspyer

10/07/2010 Beirut this week witnessed the passing of one of the seminal figures of the Lebanese Shi’ites – Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah. Tens of thousands of mourners followed the coffin in its southern suburbs, with chants of “Death to … Continue reading →

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Arab World: Ahmadinejad’s Recipe for Success

Posted on March 7, 2011 by jonathanspyer

22/10/2010 Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is now safely back in Teheran, his triumphal tour of Lebanon concluded. The internal Lebanese political crisis which underlay his visit, however, is far from over and has almost certainly not yet reached its height. … Continue reading →

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