Six people accused of spying for Israel were arrested by the Lebanese Army during four separate raids. The suspects are believed to have provided Israel with information about Hezbollah's members and their movements. Advanced communication devices were found in the possession of the suspects.
As a crucial country unifying two important regions of the world, Turkey stands to bring much to the table for the EU. Yet membership has proved difficult to obtain.
In legitimating their war against the West, al-Qaeda has had to adapt its stance on the death of Muslim civilians. Finding it increasingly difficult to protect the lives of Muslims, the organization has relied on rhetoric of crisis to justify the death of Muslims. However, the organization’s inability to live up to their standards of what constitutes morality is increasingly problematic.
Although Turkey’s attempts at accession to the European Union have been replete with hurdles, Turkey has in effect benefited greatly from complying with these requirements. In Turkey’s attempts to gain accession to the EU, it has vastly improved its political and economic institutions. Further requirements for accession, particularly the aquis communautaire, stand to offer Turkey’s institutions the same if not more benefits than other reforms.
Many observers claim that sanctions are largely counterproductive. Yet, the era of heavy sanctions seems to be over, and now the talk is all about the so-called “smart sanctions”. The current sanctions that target the Iranian economy and the IRGC in particular have had their effect, albeit a limited one. The key to an Apartheid-like economic isolation of Iran is China, and the vulnerability of Iran lies in its oil industry, the pillar of its economy.
Agriculture is severely undermining the prospects of concluding the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations. Even in the very unlikely case where there would be significant cuts in agricultural tariffs and subsides, they would have very little effect in the price of commodities.
To describe Turkey’s current political scenario as a dichotomy of Islamists versus Secularists is misleading. The AKP is not an Islamist party, but rather a melting pot of devout conservatives, Turkish nationalists, liberal reformists and pious businessmen. AKP’s political line is primarily a pragmatic one.
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister has been greeted by the world as the answer to stabilizing the horn of Africa. In addition to his efforts at undermining insecurity in the region, the 3 term leader has also done much to curtail poverty in his country. However, after 15 years in power, allegations questioning his commitment to democracy have surfaced. With elections due in May, Zenawi will have the opportunity to prove which side of democracy he is on.
Even though Ammar al-Hakim is not running in the upcoming elections, he is on path to become Iraq’s new power broker. Against the fears that Hakim will certainly provide Iran with a bigger footprint in Iraqi politics, there is the recent up-shift from a sectarian leader to national politician. The aftermath of next week’s election will test how real those fears are.
In this interview with The Majalla, Glyn Davies, the US ambassador to the IAEA, talks about his visit to Turkey in order to convince the Turkish Government out of repeating its November abstention from a vote to condemn Iran. The next Board of Governors meeting in the IAEA will start 1 March, and there is talk of a possible fissure between Ankara and Washington on how to deal with Iran.
In this interview with The Majalla, Ammar Al-Hakim, President of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI), denies to be influenced by Iran and calls for building "strategic" relations between Iraq and Arab countries, acknowledging that Iraq is partly to blame for coolness in relations with these countries.
Muqtada al-Sadr, a radical Shia cleric, has defined much of Shia politics since the US invasion of Iraq. How and why this young cleric managed to enthral and militarize a portion of the Shia population is addressed in Patrick Cockburn’s latest book. Although designed as a biography of Muqtada, this book is much more, providing insight on the history of Iraq’s politics and insight on its place in the region.
As governments slowly declare victory over the global financial crisis and turn their attention to the next battle—namely the one of fighting burgeoning public deficits—people are left as if dumbstruck, not knowing exactly what hit them. Andrew Ross Sorkin’s new book is an excellent account of the ins and outs of the events that hit the world economy in the first decade of the 21st century.
In Yukiya Amano’s first report as Director of the IAEA he presents his findings on Iran’s aggressive nuclear enrichment tactics. The Council of Foreign Relations evaluates the importance of this report, and argues that while the stance is strict, current conditions limit the impact of its findings. With the IAEA’s hands tied, it leaves the international community asking “what’s next” in its approach towards Iran.
Obama’s election was greeted by the world as an opportunity to re-engage with a milder, friendlier US. How much has the foreign policy of the United States changed since he came in office? The latest report by LSE Ideas argues that despite symbolic efforts, American foreign policy has not changed enough.
Despite having spent the latter parts of the ‘90s courting Europe, since 2009 Turkish attention, both politically and economically, has started to look East rather than West. Is this a sign that Turkey, grown tired of its role as the perpetual suitor of Europe, finds the position of regional leader more congenial?
Too many disruptive and unpromising events have been going on just before elections in Iraq, and the promise of a truly democratic state where the rule of law prevails seems grim. These elections will determine much of Iraq’s near future, not only the internal balance of power but also Iraq’s diplomatic relations with other Arab countries, with the US, and with Iran.
Subscribe to Majalla iPhone to receive the latest news and political analysis around the clock wherever you are.
This article reads pretty much as an attack by a pro-Israeli writer who is not happy hearing awkward ...
Enlightened at Mar 7, 2010 1:33 PM
The response level to national disaster is awesome but it's a real shame that so many people take ad ...
exalfungula at Mar 7, 2010 1:32 PM
Its a great article and it gives a warning to future investors to the region to take a more cautiou ...
SANJAY CHADHA at Mar 7, 2010 1:28 PM
Settling scores in a third country sets a dangerous precedence and can cause major aberrations to a ...
Nishthar Idroos at Mar 1, 2010 2:46 PM
Very interesting and informative. Well written. We are proud of you 'beta'.
Sajiv
Sajiv Sibal at Feb 27, 2010 8:18 PM
The so-called Quetta shura is led by deposed Taliban leader and Osama bin Laden ally, Mullah Omar, w ...
alex at Feb 24, 2010 10:06 PM
Thank you for the Majalla that provides us with insights and details about influential figures like ...
Salim Mahrous at Feb 24, 2010 10:04 PM
I disagree to some extent with the writer. Dubai crisis has had economic and political implications ...
Safiy Helal at Feb 24, 2010 9:59 PM
© Copyright 2009 Al Majalla
