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.
Turkey’s importance in the Middle East is growing, both at the economic level—its economy is already more than half the size of the whole of the Middle East and North African region—but also politically. With EU membership still in sight, Turkey is using the same ideas that brought stability to post-Second World War Europe in an effort to calm the bitter divisions of the Middle East.
In the face of a deteriorating situation in Yemen, Washington has been abuzz with talk about what should be done by the US government. A traditional package of assistance from the US, whether it is training Yemeni special forces or large-scale economic assistance will achieve nothing in the short-term. Washington’s investment should be in shaping and coordinating the actions of the GCC to assist Yemen.
The 28 January London conference on Afghanistan emphasized the transition to local responsibility in promoting the country’s security and development. Afghan leaders are eager to assume these responsibilities, but their foreign allies are even more eager to devolve them. The problem is that Afghan capacity remains insufficiently developed to manage national challenges without extensive international support.
Al-Qaeda’s travelling ideology reflects the gradual transformation from a highly centralized organization in the 1990s in Afghanistan, into a fluid, globalized, all-encompassing ideological umbrella. This transnational ideology bridged the divide between class, space, and recruitment techniques. However, al-Qaeda’s bottom-up recruitment, largely through the internet, is a marginal phenomenon, and one that exposes the structural crisis of al-Qaeda Central.
While before the presidential elections it appeared that Khamenei would remain Supreme Leader for life, his fate is far less certain today, and he is openly defied by reformist leaders, faces dissent from top ayatollahs, and is contested in public demonstrations. Despite the damage to his reputation, Khamenei’s vast and potent network remains for the moment intact, and his future rests largely in the hands of the Revolutionary Guards.
Since King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia came to the throne in 2005, he has launched several initiatives aimed at softening the austere type of Islam that dominated the kingdom for decades. What has been the impact of the king’s policies? Has he succeeded in changing how his people think about and practice Islam?
Despite genuine efforts at engaging Tehran, the Obama administration has proven unable to resolve US differences with the Iranian government over its nuclear program, regional security issues, or other disputes. This year is likely to see further strains as the administration seeks to impose more stringent international sanctions on Tehran.
A year has now passed since the Israeli war in the Gaza Strip against Hamas and one should reflect on its results and re-assess its aims. It is important to do so since the Gaza war has reshaped the geo-strategic map in the region and changed the rules of the game between Hamas and Israel.
A look at the economic numbers of Yemen promises a grim future for the country. Several factors, such as a very young population, high unemployment, water shortage, and the infiltration by extremists, are a recipe for turmoil in Yemen and its surroundings. That’s why it is vital that the GCC states, along with a broad-based coalition of other states, take the lead to support Yemen in its moment of economic crisis.
Yemen’s stability and security situation is rapidly deteriorating, and its potential implosion will have a dramatic impact on the region. Ultimately, there is no Yemeni or American solution for Yemen’s problems. They cannot be solved without the help of Yemen’s neighbors and international partners.
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.
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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
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