Ideas

Al Qaeda’s Condolences

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.



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Shape up or Shake out

With elections in Iraq approaching, various questions dominate the possible outcome of this event. Will sectarianism dominate over secularism? Will centralism dominate over federalism? The answer will depend on what Iraq’s majority Shias vote for and what Iraq’s Shia-dominated parties end up supporting. Iraq’s diversity could end up being the country’s greatest asset and as a result the greatest impediment to attempts to consolidate any sectarian hold on power.

Protecting Marianne

The ban on the full veil in France has been defended as a means to protect the rights of women, but foremost to protect the definition of what is French. However, if the government intends to defend the quintessential values of the French state—liberty, equality and fraternity—they should take a second look at the partiality behind their definitions of what constitutes liberty and what constitutes equality. Rather than focusing on the ban, the government would benefit from revaluating the way it aims to integrate immigrants into French society.

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The Odd Couple

Decades of avowed Turkish hostility toward any expression of Kurdish autonomy in the region have given way to increasing collaboration, culminating in a de facto Turkish recognition of Kurdish sovereignty in northern Iraq. This has challenged the Turkish taboo regarding Kurdish nationalism, but also many of the prevailing conceptions about regional geopolitics.

The Nuclear Road

Recent events implicating a nuclear partnership between Iran and North Korea amount to one of the greatest fears of Western and Israeli security experts. Nuclear collaboration between North Korea and Iran dates back to the 1990s. The risks, however, that the potential of such an alignment could have on Middle East security should not be underestimated.

A Sorry State of Affairs

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement which ended the civil war in the Sudan is at a crossroads. The elections that the agreement guaranteed are an opportunity to create necessary stability, especially since a referendum on the future of the southern autonomous region is due to take place soon after. However, the present conditions suggest that the elections scheduled for April are unlikely to begin the type of institution building necessary for a reconciliation.

Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks

The Lebanese executive branch is subject to far too many restraints to be in the position to deliver major reforms. Its main task can only be that of tackling its internal critics and foreign enemies while guaranteeing minimal standards of stability to the country.

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Frenemies

It is not always about nukes, terrorism and hatred between India and Pakistan. Over the last several years, the rivals have reached unprecedented levels of cooperation. The new generation now debates how to consolidate this rapprochement into a lasting friendship.

The American Blanket

Iraq has disappeared from the Administration agenda and presidential speeches. One may say that deterioration of “AfPak” is reason enough to explain that. However, finishing the job in Iraq with coherence, strength and ambition should be the goal of the Obama administration. The American withdrawal must guarantee a political commitment to Iraq and the problems it might face in the future.

My Way or the Highway

Amongst the different issues the Iraq Inquiry has exposed regarding the UK’s involvement in the War in Iraq has been the role of the UN. The Inquiry has hinted at important differences between the UN mandate and the reality behind its hierarchical structure – exposing important weaknesses in the international cooperation that is supposedly behind the organization’s power and legitimacy. Weaknesses that effectively limit diplomacy as a viable option in cases when it was most desirable.

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Tough Love

Despite this recent increase in aggressive rhetoric between the Iraqi and Syrian regimes, instances of economic and cultural cooperation between the neighbours is at its highest level in years. Is this tension then just short-term politicking, or is it a return to the dark years of enmity?

Who will have the last dance?

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?

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Friend or Foe?

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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Comments

7 Years of AKP Rule

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

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Abu Bakr Sedek Abdel Ghaffar: Pakistan is Not on the Road to Civil War

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

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An Inside Job

how i wish i had a copy of this book

olaleye ololade at Mar 7, 2010 1:29 PM

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A Slippery-Slope

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

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Israeli spying network exposed in Lebanon

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

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A Slippery-Slope

Very interesting and informative. Well written. We are proud of you 'beta'.

Sajiv

Sajiv Sibal at Feb 27, 2010 8:18 PM

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Getting To Grips With The Quetta Shura

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

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Born for Kurdistan

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

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A Tale of Survival and Broken Promises

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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