US Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday dismissed claims that Russia is arming itself to fight in Syria, saying that “the Russian weapons in Latakia airport on the Syrian coast are consistent with protecting their own forces.” Kerry also reiterated his call on Moscow to participate in efforts …
Read More »Israel, Jordan and the issue of Al-Aqsa
Dr Saleh Al-Naami Although no one knows the nature of the Jordanian response to the “assurances” made by the Israeli government to King Abdullah II on Thursday, and the renewal of its commitment to refrain from changing the status quo in Al-Aqsa, merely expressing such assurances reflects Israel’s …
Read More »The battle for Sanaa looms
By Bruce Riedel Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners are preparing for a major offensive to take Yemen’s capital from the Zaydi Houthi rebels this fall. If the battle becomes a house-to-house urban clash, it will have disastrous humanitarian consequences. If a cease-fire is not arranged, the battle …
Read More »Who Will Have Technical Superiority: Chinese J-31 or US F-35
China’s new J-31 fighter has raised speculation about the American-made F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The website Defense One compared the two fighter jets to see which one has the advantage; America or China? China’s J-31 fighter jet design has a striking resemblance to the single-jet F-35. But according to the …
Read More »The Gulf: Not All That’s Gold Glitters – Analysis
By James Dorsey Gleaming glass skyscrapers, state-of-the-art technology, and wealthy merchant families have replaced the Gulf’s muddy towns and villages populated by traders and pearl fishers that once lacked electricity, running water or modern communications. The region’s modern day projection of a visionary cutting- edge, 21st century urban …
Read More »Israel’s High-Stake Game In Al-Aqsa And Why Netanyahu May Prevail
The State of Israel was established on the ruins of Palestine, based on a series of objectives that were named after letters from the Hebrew alphabet, the consequences of which continue to guide Israeli strategies to this day. The current violence against Palestinian worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in …
Read More »Military Escalation in Yemen: No Political Solution in Sight
The huge intensification of the military confrontation in Yemen dimmed the lights of the ongoing diplomatic activities aimed at reaching a political solution in Yemen. A deeper look at the situation there shows that there is still some way to go before a serious window for a political …
Read More »Al Qaeda in Talks with ISIL to Remerge
Just last week Ayman Al Zawahiri addressed his followers on the anniversary of 9/11 calling them for more lone wolf attacks. “I call on all Muslims who can harm the countries of the crusader coalition not to hesitate. We must now focus on moving the war to the …
Read More »When Will Putin Go to Iraq?
When Russia went to Syria, the target was to control a strategic stretch of the east Mediterranean coast at a minimum cost. It was clear in the past few months that the Syrian crisis will boil down to either a partition a la Taif deal in Lebanon, that …
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