The bad news for Egypt is that the deadly turmoil that has gripped the streets of some of the country’s main cities since last Friday threatens to grow worse in the months ahead. That’s because President Mohamed Morsi’s plans …
Qatar
While U.S. Recognizes Syrian Opposition, It Designates One Anti-Assad Group as ‘Terrorist’
One of the most effective anti-Assad militias has just been designated a “terrorist” organization by the U.S. Will that help or hobble the exiled opposition’s attempt to take control of the fight against the regime in Damascus?
Is Syria’s Civil War Entering Its Final Act, or Poised for a New Phase?
The stern warnings by President Barack Obama and other U.S. officials this week that Syria‘s President Bashar Assad would face “consequences” and be “held accountable” for any use of chemical weapons against his own people, has …
How the Gaza Truce Makes Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood a Peace Player
The truce reflects a transformation in the region, reflecting the participation of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood in the status quo and perhaps the beginning of the rehabilitation of Hamas
Facing Hamas, Israel Rolls the Dice: Will There Be Another Gaza War?
A few parallels exist between Israel’s current Gaza operation and the 22-day war that began in December 2008. But the Middle East is a much different place in late 2012, with the risks more complicated and the politics more charged.
Syria’s Opposition Wins Western Backing, But What About Western Weapons?
Syria‘s new opposition leadership structure announced in Qatar on Sunday could mark a turning point in the stalemated 20-month old rebellion against the Assad regime. But it could just as easily prove to be another chimerical …
Syria Opposition Factions Balk at U.S.-Backed Unity Plan, But Keep Talking
Can Foreign Intervention Forge a New Syrian Leadership?
The U.S. wants to reshape Syria’s opposition. But there is no guarantee the plan will work
The Qatar Conundrum: The Emirate That Arms Syria’s Rebels Also Embraces Hamas
Mindful of its declining appetite for projecting power in the Middle East, the U.S. is relying on more activist partners in the region such Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey to arm the Syrian rebellion. But Tuesday’s visit to Gaza …
After November: 5 Middle East Headaches That Await the U.S.
Last week’s U.N. General Assembly session served up reminders that the next White House may have little option but to deal with a number of crises previously deferred
Syria’s Secular and Islamist Rebels: Who Are the Saudis and the Qataris Arming?
Out of Istanbul, the two Gulf states play a game of conflicting favorites that is getting in the way creating a unified rebel force to topple the Assad regime
Why the U.S. Won’t Give Up on Kofi Annan’s Syria Plan
Senator John McCain may be cranking up the political heat on the Obama Administration over Syria amid reports of a new massacre at Hama, but don’t expect Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to berate Kofi Annan over the failure …
Al-Jazeera English Forced to Close China Bureau After Correspondent Expelled
The Chinese government has expelled al-Jazeera English’s correspondent, marking a further deterioration in the country’s tolerance of foreign journalists. The English-language network said Tuesday that it was forced to close …