Wednesday, May 31, 2006

BULLETIN No.117

Independent The Big Question: Can Hamas and Fatah ever agree on how to negotiate with Israel?
Hamas needs to offer the Palestinian people a better option
Ha’aretz – UN report: Unemployment and poverty in PA are worsening Number of poor people rises from 600,000 in 1999 to 1.6 million in 2005; unemployment reaches 23.5%.
Ha’aretz – Aluf Benn An umbrella or handcuffs?Bush's statement U.S. would come to Israel's aid in the event of an Iranian attack is the expression of a strategic change in relations between the two countries.
Gideon Samet This nonsense of not talking to Hamas If the question is properly framed, it is very possible that polls would find an Israeli majority for talking with the Haniyeh government just as a majority was formed for getting out of most of the territories
Editorial Contacts with Hamas It turns out that the siege on the Hamas government is not weakening it - at least not for now.
Israel tightens NATO ties in shadow of Iran nuclear jitters
Iranian Foreign Minister: 'There is no such country' as Israel
Daily Star Benefits of Israel leaving Shebaa Farms outweigh costs of occupation
Washington Institute The IDF and the Israeli Spirit
Yedioth Ahronoth Reorganize 'Israel Inc.'/ Bainerman
Here's why they call it the 'Jewish state' By Jonathan Cook
Knight-Ridder Israel shouldn't wait for recognition from Hamas, ex-Mossad chief says Efraim Halevy, the former head of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, is breaking with his government and much of the international community by urging Israel to scrap its requirement that Hamas formally recognize the Jewish state before it will negotiate with the Islamist militants. "To demand of Hamas that they should recognize Israel as a condition is to set a very high bar over which they must leap," Halevy said. "I think it's unnecessary."
UPI Analysis: Palestine ripe for al-Qaida
Christian Science Monitor Jailed Hamas activists press for middle way Imprisoned members' statement, advocating a two-state solution, is resonating with many.
Jerusalem Post Westward boundBy HILARY LEILA KRIEGER A secular Muslim country looks to Israel as a bridge to Pax Americana.
Ha'aretz FM Livni meets Turkish counterpart for first time since Hamas row
İsrail'le stratejik işler Murat Yetkin
BUGÜN Yazarlar Cengiz Çandar TZİPİ LİVNİ ZİYARETİNİN "DEŞİFRE"Sİ...
Sami KOHEN İlişkiler 'mükemmel' olabilir, ama...
Hüsnü Mahalli Nefes borusu!
Fikret Ertan Livni’nin ve İsrail’in dönüşümü

Guardian Syria's silent purge Simon Tisdall: Almost a year after Syria completed a humiliating military withdrawal from Lebanon amid predictions of imminent regime change in Damascus, President Bashar Assad is clawing back lost ground. Dozens of dissidents have been arrested in recent weeks.
Syria Comment
opposition News (May 31, 2006)
The Democracy of Fear
Does Syria's President Have The Will Or ConvictionTo Reform? By EHSANI2
Have There Been Reforms? Yes, Some.

SPIEGEL INTERVIEW WITH AHMADINEJAD"We Are Determined" Ahmadinejad discusses the Holocaust, the future of the state of Israel, mistakes made by the United States in Iraq and Tehran's nuclear conflict with the West.
Analysis: Interpreting the Iran-Iraq deal
Spiegel Tehran's Secret Helper Joschka Fischer on the mistakes and shortcomings in Washington's Middle East policies.
Christian Science Monitor Ethnic tensions could crack Iran's firm resolve against the world By Abbas William Samii
Türkiye ile AB'nin İran'a bakışı aynı

Washington Post A Political Path Out of Iraq By Fareed Zakaria, The reality is that only an effective political bargain will bring about order in Iraq. There needs to be a deal that gives all Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds strong incentives to cooperate.
Daily Star Don't declare a bogus victory to leave Iraq sooner By Ian Bremmer
Daily Star Iraq as an emerging Turkish-Iranian playing field By Safa A. Hussein
Daily Telegraph Saudis behind attacks Military sources say fighters from Saudi Arabia are leading other foreign terrorists in increasingly frequent attacks against British troops in Basra.

The New Global Challengers How 100 Top Companies from Rapidly Developing Economies Are Changing the World".
Washington Post Editorial Still a Genocide There should be no ambiguity about Darfur.
Daily Star Arab liberals and Islamists, Unite! By Rami G. Khouri
Neo-cons question Bush's democratisation strategy
Al Hayat War didn't and doesn't bring democracy Wesley Clark - Anyone who has traveled regularly to the ME knows that the recent hopeful democratic moves in Lebanon, Egypt, and the Palestinian territories have causal roots that long predate our arrival in Iraq.

Monday, May 29, 2006

BULLETIN No.116

Financial Times Editorial Abbas's bold move Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, has made an audacious and astute move of which few believed him capable.
Daily Star Hamas must not lose sight of primary objective: creation of Palestinian state
Breaking democracy's back in Palestine By Rami G. Khouri
Ha’aretz – Fatah to meet to discuss referendum crisis Hamas vows no concessions on Abbas initiative; PFLP chief: Exiles should have vote if referendum is held.
Ephraim Halevy: Hamas must commit not to carry out attacks, must accept past Israel-PA deals before talks
Daily Star Abbas dismisses Hamas objections, vows referendum on peace process Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Sunday brushed aside protests from Hamas and vowed to push through with his plan for a referendum unless the factions resolve their differences. Abbas, who was to host a meeting with representatives from the governing Hamas movement later in the day, said he was not prepared for the bickering.
UPI Outside View: Ending the Palestinian paralysis By Alon Ben-Meir
BBC Israel in Lebanon border 'truce' A ceasefire is agreed after clashes break out across the Israel-Lebanon border, UN peacekeepers say.
BBC Border reckoning Referendum gamble gives Palestinians historic chance Life under Hamas Poverty and bitter rivalry as sanctions bite in Gaza Yedioth Ahronoth IDF: Hizbullah fell into trap After day of combat against terror group in Lebanon, senior officer tells Ynet: We were waiting for them to attack, if they want escalation, we’ll give it to them. Monday morning calm along border, but tensions running high Full Story . . .
BBC Hamas force leaves Gaza streets A security force deployed by the ruling Palestinian party Hamas withdraws from the streets of Gaza.
Border reckoning Referendum gamble gives Palestinians historic chance
Boston Globe Editorial Abbas cornering Hamas
Guardian Punishment of Palestinians will create a crucible of trouble for the world David Hirst: George Bush's policies helped build Hamas; now a dangerous linkage with Iran and Iraq threatens a mega-crisis
Ha’aretz Former Mossad chief calls for long-term deal with Hamas
Hamas takes militia off streets but defies ultimatum Hamas pulls its armed militia off Gaza's streets to defuse tensions between Hamas and Fatah-controlled forces.
Akiva Eldar Between prisoners and captives Had the Palestinians not demanded that Israel recognize their right of return, Israel would have had to invent it.
News Analysis: Abbas Enlists Prisoners to Unsettle Hamas
Whatever happened to ... Ariel Sharon? Iain Hollingshead
Ha’aretz Livni arrives in Turkey for first talks since Hamas leader's visit
Abbas'ın Hamas'a karşı oynadığı Filistin pokeri Ayşe Karabat
Hamas'ı unuttukİsrail Dışişleri Bakanı Tzipi Livni, Hamas'ın Ankara ziya-retinin Türk-İsrail ilişkilerinde kapanmış bir dosya olduğunu söyledi

Independent Robert Fisk: Modern Syria through Saladin's eyes
Mona Yacoubian on Syria's Crackdown
Chicago Tribune Syria's strange political spring Chummy relations between Syria's ruling elite and Islamists reflect a spreading reality about political change in the Arab world.
Syria Comment
The Democracy of Fear
Does Syria's President Have The Will Or ConvictionTo Reform? By EHSANI2
Have There Been Reforms? Yes, Some.
KurdishMedia Veteran Kurd: Western Kurds have to learn form Southern Kurds to unite the Syrian Kurdish movement, form a united Syrian Kurdish front, and work with non-Kurdish Syrians and others to bring freedom and democracy to Syria.
Dr. Abbas: "Syria's Kurds must go with one voice"
Ha’aretz – Be'er Sheva within range of new Hezbollah rocket Iran has supplied the Lebanese group with rockets bearing a reach of up to 200 kilometers

Washington Institute How to Deal with the Challenge from Iran Graham Allison and Richard Haass (text and video)
Asia Times Carrots, sticks and the isolation of Iran The more that Germany, along with Britain and France a key interlocutor with Iran over its nuclear program, shows its ability to engage in creative diplomacy (the carrot) toward Tehran, the better the chances of a satisfactory resolution of the dragging crisis. At this critical juncture, though, trans-Atlantic considerations and US pressure (the stick) could undermine Berlin's best efforts. - Kaveh L Afrasiabi
Washington Post U.S. May Use Financial Pressure Against Iran Bush administration wants Europe, Japan to back sanctions that would stifle Tehran's leadership if diplomatic efforts fail to resolve nuclear dispute.
New York Times U.S. Is Debating Talks With Iran on Nuclear Issue The Bush administration is beginning to debate whether to set aside a longstanding policy taboo and open direct talks with Iran.
New York Times Iran Chief Eclipses Power of Clerics Ahmadinejad's consolidation of power presents difficult diplomatic choices for the United States.

Stabilizing Iraq: Options for Democracy, Security and Development Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies A 33-page draft report of a conference held to discuss the political, security and economic situation in Iraq
Guardian The Inshallah occupation Martin Woollacott Bush and Blair agree that Iraq's future is clouded, and presume only to hope, and not to dogmatically insist, that the final outcome will be good.
Knight-Ridder Backed by Iran, Shiite militias and warlords take control of southern Iraq
Iraq, the Republic of Fear By Nir Rosen - Iraq is the republic of fear, once again. If the religious militias don't get you, the resistance will, or the terrorists will, or the criminal gangs will, or the Americans will.
Newsweek Fareed Zakaria What We Need To Get Right If the new prime minister fails, Moqtada al-Sadr will become the most powerful man in Iraq
Looking Back at Iraq: A War to Be Proud Of - Victor Davis Hanson, NRO
Beyond Security: Challenges for Iraq's New Government
The Daily Star Iraq as an emerging Turkish-Iranian playing field In the 16th century, Iran under Safavid rule and Turkey under the Ottomans were rising rival empires in a difficult neighborhood. Their conflicts and rivalry revolved mainly around Iraq and the Caucasus. Today, after a long pause, the situation is not altogether different.

Uniting Against Terrorism: Recommendations for a Global Counter-Terrorism StrategyUnited Nations A 32-page report by the UN Secretary-General offering recommendations for a global anti-terrorism strategy
Newsweek Anti-Islamic Forces in Turkey The murder of a respected judge touches off a secular, anti-Islamist backlash—and throws Turkey's government into crisis
Turkey is being watched by the Middle East Gila Benmayor

Friday, May 26, 2006

BULLETIN No.115

Daily Telegraph Hamas shift on Israel Signs of a breakthrough between the international community and Hamas have emerged after the Islamist movement prepared to moderate hostility towards Israel.
New York Times Abbas Says He'd Put Peace Plan to a Vote Mahmoud Abbas said that he would call a referendum if Hamas failed to accept the peace plan within 10 days.
Haniyeh: We're closer than you think to deal on 1967 borders
Hamas withdraws militia from Gaza streets
BBC Israel 'to supply arms to Abbas'
Ha’aretz Analysis: Hamas appears set to give nod to talks with Israel
Editorial Israel's 'Realignment' Ehud Olmert's hope to win U.S. support for a new Israeli border offers President Bush both opportunity and peril.
Boston Review Hamas's Next Steps Finding the road to Palestine
Nixon Center Unrealists and Israel by Dimitri K. Simes - Helena Cobban
President's ultimatum to Hamas: recognise Israel or the people will decide
Abbas gives Hamas ultimatum on peaceMahmoud Abbas has challenged Hamas to accept the principle of a negotiated peace settlement with Israel or he would put the issue to a national referendum by mid-July
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Israel must make statesmanlike policy shift
Gulf News New challenge for Hamas
President Mahmoud Abbas vowed yesterday to call a referendum if the Hamas-led government refuses to back a proposal for a Palestinian state that implicitly recognises Israel.
Half empty or half full?
Bush's reaction to Olmert's plan has pleased the Israelis more than the Palestinians. It is definitely a case of the glass being half full or half empty when judging the two-day visit to Washington by the new Israeli Prime Minister.
Time to check Israel's convergence plan
Its characterisation by Bush as "an important step towards peace" has been hailed in Tel Aviv as better than what was expected before Olmert's US visit
Washington Post Olmert Urges Palestinians to Talks
FT Abbas gives Hamas ultimatum on peaceMahmoud Abbas has challenged Hamas to accept the principle of a negotiated peace settlement with Israel or he would put the issue to a national referendum by mid-July.
Washington Post Abbas Urges Hamas to Back 2-State Plan: Palestinian Leader Says He May Call Referendum
Dar Al Hayat Where is the Impasse in Hamas' Situation?
Ghazi al Touba - If Hamas wants to get out of the impasse it inherited from Fatah, it should turn this imaginary liberation into a real one, and rectify its organizational, intellectual and methodological structure, exploiting Fatah’s flawed structure to its advantage.
Al Ahram Managing cruelty Real hunger is beginning to strike the Palestinians as the boycotting of Hamas continues and the elected movement in government stands firm, writes Khaled Amayreh in the West Bank
The question is how As the Quartet discusses how to bypass the democratically-elected Hamas-led government, Palestinians are running on empty, writes Erica Silverman
To disengage or engage? In Geneva, a group of Palestinian and Israeli diplomats, and retired military officers, argue the case of "giving Hamas a chance to change". Dina Ezzat listened in
New beginning with Israel Zeynep Gurcanli

Arab Reform Monitor Syria: Media Reform and its Limitations Marwan M. Kraidy
Gulf News The saga of France and Syria relations
Friendly ties between the two nations took a turn for the worse when Chirac changed his stance on the Iraq war.
Syria Comment
Amnesty International Incorrectly Suggests Syria Executed 80,000 in 1980s
Phil Weiss on Syria II
Hizbullah factor in Iran fray
The Tehran-backed militants could be drawn into the conflict if the US or Israel strikes Iran.

Washington Post Say No to Tehran's Gambit By Charles Krauthammer, All of a sudden, revolutionary Iran has offered direct talks with the United States. And the usual suspects are urging the administration to take the bait.
It's Time to Engage With Iran By David Ignatius
UPI Outside View: Gulf states fear Iran war
Gulf News What does Iran expect from the UN?
For the past three decades, the United States confronted two attempts by Iran to become the region's leading power. The US successfully thwarted both attempts, using means and resources from the same region, and from inside and outside Iran.
Iran: International Pressure and Internal Conflict Mehdi Khalaji examines the effect that global pressure on Tehran over its nuclear program has had on President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s administration and its ability to overcome internal political and economic challenges.
Christian Science Monitor US eyes carrots, sticks for Iran nuke program The US, Germany, Britain, France, China, and Russia met in London to discuss incentives for Iran.

UPI Brzezinski wants orderly Iraq withdrawal
Iraq's government Could it prevail?
Out of Touch on Iraq By Dan Froomkin
Dar Al Hayat Sunni Arabs and Power Sharing in Iraq
Maged Ahmed el-Samarai - Security and political stability will not be regained unless the current rule and the political process overcome the sectarian quandary, and unless everyone works honestly and together with a national spirit for the sake of this great, patient people.
Al Ahram Iraq simmers Iraqi political leaders continued to bicker over key ministerial posts while the country remained in the grip of violence.
Still failing Five months after elections, and four weeks after a so-called political breakthrough, Iraq still lacks a government while killings and kidnappings continue, writes Nermeen El-Mufti
Slate Handing Off a War, Dispatches From Iraq: What lies ahead. Bing West
FT Bush and Blair admit to missteps in Iraq President George W Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair pointedly refused to set a timetable for withdrawal of troops from Iraq, but acknowledged that they had both made missteps in the country.

Boston Review The Brotherhood How far will Egypt's Islamists go? Stephen Glain
A confrontation to hold off collapse and revolution Ahdaf Soueif: Every sector of Egyptian society is struggling with the government to stop further chaos spreading across the Arab region.
UPI Analysis: How to confront Islamists
Washington Institute Understanding the Middle East: A View from inside the Mossad former Mossad chief Efraim Halevy

Thursday, May 25, 2006

BULLETIN No.114

Analysis: Speech of PM's life officially kicks off 'Olmert Age'
Editorial Olmert's unlilateral agenda belies his claim to want a partner for peace "Our deepest wish is to build a better future for our region." This was what Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told a joint meeting of Congress in Washington on Wednesday. But the Israeli premier's plans, which he outlined to US legislators, ensure that a better future for our region will become impossible. While Olmert's speech was heavily sugar-coated with peaceful expressions, such as his reference to Israel's.
Olmert says Israel `cannot wait for the Palestinians forever'
Ehud Olmert speech
Jerusalem Post Analysis: The phased approach to selling 'realignment'By HERB KEINON Olmert knows that for his plan to succeed, it will need int'l recognition, legitimacy and support
UPI Analysis: Palestinians tackle infighting
Palestinian rivals set for talks
Washington Times An Arab backlash against Hamas? Hamas' relations with Jordan are worsening, and the same may be about to occur with Egypt
BBC Words not actions The Israeli PM gets a warm reception but achieves little in US
Editorial A Viable Palestinian State We hope that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel and President Bush realize that there will not be peace unless the Palestinians have a say in creating a state that can function.
Leader The Palestinian charadeBoth the Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert and the US president appear to realise the futility of talking to the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas about the 'road map' to peace.
Minus the facts, Olmert's health offer is hypocritical By Rami G. Khouri
FT Leader Olmert meets BushIf Ehud Olmert is to be taken at face value, he has a Plan A and a Plan B for Israel's withdrawal from the West Bank.
Olmert Urges Palestinians to Talks Israeli Prime Minister says Hamas should meet terms for peace talks or face a unilaterally imposed settlement in the West Bank.
US Finesses Olmert Plan

Syria's regime writes its future in the sand By Robert G. Rabil
Christian Science Monitor Syria launches crackdown on dissent The biggest wave of arrests since 2001 hits advocates of better ties with Lebanon.
What's Hizbullah's problem with the army? By Michael Young
Syria Comment
Opposition News and Michel Kilo Quotes from Wieland
EU Statement Regarding Arrests in Syria

CSIS Winning the "Long War" in Iraq: What the US Can and Cannot Do -Anthony Cordesman

Washington Quarterly Turkey on the Brink Philip Gordon and Omer Taspinar - It is time to revisit the conventional wisdom that Turkey has no strategic options other than the West. The problem today is not Islamization, but a growing nationalist frustration with the United States and Europe. All the ingredients for a Turkish nationalist backlash are in place.
The Death of EnlargementGideon Rachman
The End of the Nation-State - Patrick Buchanan
Weekly Standard China Syndrome Capitalism does not necessarily lead to democracy. by Ellen Bork
The Washington Quarterly Summer 2006 - The Remaking of a Unipolar World Robert Jervis No state should have a greater stake in preserving the international system than its hegemon. Yet, the United States is behaving more like a revolutionary state than a status quo power. Why? The answer transcends both September 11 and President Bush himself.

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

BULLETIN No.113

Jerusalem Post Analysis: The Hamas-Fatah war The question is no longer when civil war will break out, but when will it end.
Haaretz A Hamas-Fatah civil war - bad for Israel
UPI Interview: The Hamas-Fatah feud
Heritage Foundation Prime Minister Olmert’s Washington Marathon by James Phillips
New Republic The Israel of Ehud Olmert is a country no longer haunted by historyby Gadi Taub
Washington Institute Mr. Olmert Goes to Washington: Prospects for U.S.-Israel Relations
Guardian Israel must halt the crisis among the Palestinians - for its own sake Jonathan Freedland: If Israelis won't deal with Hamas, they could end up facing a more radical alternative: Islamic Jihad or even al-Qaida.
Editorial To hurt or help Hamas
No one wins if the Palestinian Authority collapses.
Analysis: Olmert's tough question
Israeli General: Sanctions Won't Topple Hamas Military Chief Also Tells Panel He Doubts Palestinian Infighting Will Spark Civil War
President Praises Mideast Border Plans Bush says Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's offer to unilaterally remove most Israeli settlements from the West Bank is "bold.
Brookings Dual Dilemmas: U.S. Policy Options for the Israeli-Palestinian Predicament
Ha’aretz – Haniyeh: Retreat to 1967 borders will bring peace In exclusive interview, Palestinian PM tells Haaretz Hamas ready to maintain long-term cease-fire with Israel
Olmert Visits Bush as PA Chaos Spreads
CSIS Israeli Prime Minister Olmert Visits Washington Jon Alterman LISTEN READ THE TRANSCRIPT
A 'get acquainted' visit for Israel's new leader Olmert's first US trip as prime minister comes as Israel pursues a unilateral Palestinian approach.
West Bank Pullout Gets a Nod From Bush
President Bush insisted that Israel's new prime minister first exhaust all possibilities for a negotiated solution.
Paying for Israel's makeover By Gershom Gorenberg U.S. funds for a controversial settlement pullback could help advance a peace agreement.
U.S. Uneasy About Israel's Plans for West Bank Withdrawal Without Negotiation Could Pose Problems for Bush Administration, as Well as Arab Neighbors
Debka DEBKAfile reports: Bush is expected to offer the mighty BIG-BLU bunker buster bomb to Israel and Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia More...
IHT A national unity government for Palestine MARWAN BISHARA Unless Fatah and Hamas work together to build a national unity government, civil strife will devastate Palestine
Daily Star The path of diplomacy is the only way to reach Palestinian statehood
COMMENT: Why Israel cannot always rely on America's helping hand By Tony Judt By the age of 58 a country – like a man – should have achieved a certain maturity. But the state of Israel remains curiously immature

Arrested development The detention of prominent dissidents has dealt a blow to hopes of political change in Syria, writes Rory McCarthy.
Washington Times Syrian subversion by proxy
Former Political Enemies Join in Exile to Push for Change in Syrian Leadership
UPI Analysis: Syria looks east for new energy partners
Lebanon’s Power Politics
Hezbollah says it won't rush to Iran's defense if U.S. attacks
Hezbollah at the crossroads As the US-Iran rift deepens, the Lebanese party is back in the spotlight. Its future lies in meeting its people's goals, argues Abigail Fielding-Smith

OpenDemocracy Doing it for themselves Change in Iran is bubbling up from within. An attack by the United States would set reform back a generation, argues Nasrin Alavi
Daily Star The U.S. must offer Iran more incentives By Joseph S. Nye
Weekly Standard Who's Really Afraid of Iran? The Gulf states are, not that they will say so publicly. by Lee Smith
UPI Analysis: Springtime for Ahmadinejad
Newsweek Michael Hirsch on "The Real Libya Model."
Avoiding War With Iran by Rep. Ron Paul
Washington Post Iran Requests Direct Talks on Program Follow-up to Ahmadinejad's letter to Bush erases taboo against contact with Washington that has long defined Tehran's foreign policy.

Washington's New Watchword for Iraq: Containment As Iraq’s weak new government takes shape, the Bush administration’s best hope is for a non-bloodbath
Weekly Standard A Plan for Victory in Iraq Defeat the insurgents militarily--here's how.by Frederick W. Kagan
New York Times Editorial Hold the Applause in Iraq If broadly acceptable and competent ministers can be agreed on, there is still a chance that the new Iraqi government can start turning around the mess it inherited.
Washington Post Iraqi PM Outlines Security Role Nouri al-Maliki sets a goal of having state control of most provinces by the end of the year.
Asia Times Iraq's cabinet falls short Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has cobbled together a cabinet that is much better than many people expected because it includes everybody: disgruntled Sunnis, ambitious Shi'ites, hardline Kurds, and women. But he has delayed filling the three most important security portfolios. Having promised to use "maximum force" to resolve Iraq's problems, this will be his true test.
Guardian Iraq pull-out to be speeded up Handover to local forces will begin in July, Blair says in Baghdad.
Exclusive: Bush, Blair to announce 'phased' Iraq withdrawal plan...
BBC Iraq withdrawals The best and worst-case scenarios for a foreign troop pull-out
New York Times Armed Groups Propel Iraq Toward Chaos By DEXTER FILKINS There are 145,000 government police officers and commandos in Iraq and thousands more armed guards and militia gunmen. Part 1 Part 2

How many enemies do we Kurds have? By Tavgar Bulbas
Most Arabs missed the message in Saddam's downfall By Shibley Telhami
USIP What Do Islamists Really Want? USIPeace Briefing
'Regime change' rival A new plan to stop nuclear programs - without toppling leaders - is under debate in Congress, the White House.
Washington Post The Architect of a New War on the West Writings Lay Out Post-9/11 Strategy of Isolated Cells Joined in Jihad

Monday, May 22, 2006

BULLETIN No.112

Washington Times Olmert's unilateralist vision
Analysis: Civil war is closer than ever in Palestinian territories
Editorial A Palestinian Lifeline Hamas has only benefited from the West's attempt to starve its government.
CFR Brown: A Time for ‘Quiet Diplomacy’ Between Israel and Hamas?
The incredible shrinking Palestine By Sandy Tolan THE HISTORY of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be glimpsed through a series of maps.
In Gaza, Politics at the End of a Gun Foot Soldiers Carry Power Struggle of Hamas and Fatah Into the Streets
Abbas acts to stop war in GazaSeries of attacks raises fear of a slide into civil war.
Ha’aretz – Israel and U.S. at odds over nuke treaty proposal Israel objects to treaty that would forbid production of fissionable materials for use in nuclear weapons.
Israel should face sanctions Ronnie Kasrils and Victoria Brittain: The Palestine crisis is now more dramatic even than apartheid, but it is the victims who are punished.
IHT Olmert goes to Washington AARON DAVID MILLER Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel's visit to Washington will not provide answers to his key problems.
Ha’aretz – ANALYSIS: Olmert's trip to U.S. is a first lesson in diplomacy The outside world is not interested in Israel's Jewish majority, and is not concerned with costs of pullout
Boston Globe Olmert in the Oval Office (By Daniel Levy)
U.S. to give Olmert 'new ideas' for talks with PA
Olmert Visits Bush as PA Chaos Spreads
Iran likely to top agenda as Olmert meets Bush in US
Olmert: Iran Close to Atomic Bomb Know-How...
Expansion of settlements Israel has continued its policy of expanding its settlements in the West Bank by approving an extension to the boundaries of four existing projects.
Christian Science Monitor Moderate voices vie for clout within Hamas A recent poll shows most Palestinians prefer negotiation with Israel to letting it act unilaterally.
A Palestinian collapse: something Israel cannot afford By Yossi Alpher
Israeli economy leaves Palestinians behind As West Bank and Gaza teeter on the brink, Israel grows at a torrid pace.
Palestinians turn on each other As Hamas and Fatah vie for control of security, Israel relaxes its stance to ease hardship
Top Israelis Meet With Palestinian Leader
The impact of Israel’s retreats on US interests
Tony Karon How Jewish is Israel? Israel's relevance to Judaism's survival depends first and foremost on its ability to deliver justice, not only to its citizens, but to those it has displaced.
Zvi Bar’el Is there an Iranian partner?In his letter to Bush, Ahmadinejad does not again call for the destruction of Israel, but rather says that the Iranian atom should not be translated into a threat to the 'Zionist regime'.
Is Israeli Dual Citizenship A Security Risk?
Yedioth Ahronoth 'We won't back convergence' Senior US government sources, speaking ahead of Olmert's Washington visit, say that the US won't support, or object to the convergence plan. Washington prefers to wait to see if Hamas will change path or lose power
The Economist Israel Who's a citizen?

Iran And Syria Hold Talks
UPI Analysis: U.N. turns up the pressure on Syria
Daily Star Issue of Lebanese-Syrian relations needs to be revisited
Syria Comment
Phil Weiss of New York Observer
Landis Responds to Michael Young
Iraqis Keep Flooding into Syria
"The Attempt to Disarm Hizbullah is Ruining Chances for Reform in Lebanon," by Reinoud Leenders
Syria Gets an "A" on Security

Washington Post What We Need to Tell Iran By David Ignatius, How do you answer a letter from an Iranian president that catalogues the perfidies of U.S. policy and then sweetly asks America to "return to the teachings of the prophets"? So far President Bush hasn't -- but he should.
BBC Doubts over Iran nuclear capacity Iran's nuclear programme may not be as advanced as it has claimed, Western diplomatic sources tell the BBC.
UPI Policy Watch: 'Libyan model' for Iran and N. Korea?
Libya and Iran - Jerusalem PostWeekly Standard Reading Ahmadinejad in WashingtonThe Iranian president's letter needs to be taken seriously. by Hillel Fradkin
Iran's Iraq Strategy Tehran Could Retaliate Against Washington by Striking Next Door By Steven Simon and Ray Takeyh

Sunday Times SIMON JENKINS: We must partition Iraq and get out now
OpenDemocracy Iraq's partition fantasy Supporters of the "controlled division" of Iraq ignore the lessons of the nation's complex history, says Reidar Visser
A Plan for Victory in Iraqby Frederick W. Kagan
Christian Science Monitor Biden gets real on Iraq Reorganizing Iraq along ethnic and religious lines would be the best hope for that country's stability. By Patrick Chisholm
It's no time to quit Iraq — we're winning William Shawcross reports from Basra on how Britain is training a new Iraqi army — but warns against too early a handover
Iraq's new government aims to promote peace Prime Minister Maliki says he will focus on fighting insurgents and disarming sectarian militias.
Outside View: The problem of Iraq's militias By Anthony H. Cordesman
How the Bush Administration Deconstructed Iraqby Michael Schwartz & Tom Engelhardt
The Real Iraq - Amir Taheri, Commentary
Why Sunni are key in sectarian warfare

Amir Oren From convergence to submergence With the United States preoccupied with Iran and Iraq, Israel and its disputes are secondary. Its mission at present: not to interfere with America's main effort.

Thursday, May 18, 2006

BULLETIN No.111

Washington Times Assad under siege RossReal, fake democrats in Syria
Mideast Monitor Syria and Iran: An Enduring Axis Abbas Willian Samii The relationship between Damascus and Tehran, one of the most enduring regional alignments in the Middle East, is stronger than ever
Dossier: The Syrian Muslim Brotherhood Gary C. GambillAs Syrian President Bashar Assad grows more isolated, his regime's arch-nemesis is gearing for a comeback.
Events in Syria serve as a reminder of the need for an independent judiciary
Christian Science Monitor Syrian oil draws help from the Far East Sanctions spook Western investors, but firms from China, Russia, and India are eager to fill the void.
Yedioth Ahronoth US fears Syria obtained nuclear technology
NYT U.N. Council Urges Syria to Set Ties With Lebanon
UN presses Syria to settle Lebanon border dispute The UN Security Council adopted a resolution raising the pressure on Syria to establish diplomatic relations and settle its border with Lebanon. Russia and China abstained

JINSA Report #559, Israel as a Security Asset for the United States
Washington Post Israel's Half-Plan By Gershom Gorenberg - Ehud Olmert recently gave Palestinians six months to meet Israel's conditions for negotiating peace. Yet even that brief opening was just lip service.
Despite Israel's social needs, security still predominates By Adel Zagha
FPIF The Israel Lobby: How Powerful is it Really? Stephen Zunes
Ha’aretz – China urges Hamas to recognize Israel, invites al-Zahar to summit
Hamas-Led Government Deploys Security Force, Defying Abbas
Hamas puts private army on streets of Gaza Hamas deploys private army of 3,000 on streets of Gaza Strip in challenge to authority of Palestinian president.
Debka Olmert Seeks Bush Nod as Heir to Sharon Legacy
Jerusalem Post The elephant in the room The PA's economy was in dire straits long before Hamas's ascension to power
Forward On Eve of Olmert Visit, White House Holds Off Embracing Pullout Plan

Washington Post A Nuclear Test for Diplomacy By Henry A. Kissinger, The world is faced with the nightmarish prospect that nuclear weapons will become a standard part of national armament
CFR Should the US Negotiate Directly with Iran? Karim Sadjadpour, Patrick Clawson
How to Stop Iran (Without Firing a Shot) - Current diplomacy isn't working. Here's Plan B. Four steps Bush can take to stop Iran. They include taking the diplomatic offensive, targeting the regime's financial interests, supporting an independent labor movement, and threatening the country�s gas supply.Bret Stephens
Senate FRC Hearing Iran’s Political/Nuclear Ambitions and U.S. Policy Options
The Iranian Nuclear Program: Motivations and Priorities Kenneth M. Pollack
Engage Iran Directly Alon Ben-Meir
Daily Star We can trust India with the bomb, but not Iran By Richard N. Haass
UPI Outside View: Solving the Iran crisis By GENNADY YEVSTAFYEV There are still two real possible scenarios for settling the Iranian nuclear problem.
CSIS Understanding the Letter from Iran Jon Alterman READ MORE
Djerejian Let's Talk to Iran--A Growing Chorus!
'Consider militaty action'Sir Malcolm Rifkind, the former Conservative foreign secretary, has said that western countries should be ready to consider military action against Iran if diplomacy and sanctions fail to curb Teheran's uranium enrichment programme.
Ehsan Ahrari Iran’s Nuclear Policy Muddle

Asia Times Iraq's oil: A neo-con dream gone bust The neo-conservatives had great expectations of the bonanza that would come from invading Iraq and overthrowing Saddam Hussein: lower oil prices, undermining Iran and Saudi Arabia, and busting OPEC. Today oil prices are at record highs, OPEC still stands, and Iran and Saudi Arabia have more leverage than ever. - Peter Kiernan
The US must win in Iraq Robert Zelnick Defeat could have the domino effect many expected after Vietnam. But Washington is doing a poor job articulating the stakes.
Unfit to fight in Iraq? Report: troops diagnosed with mental illness sent to front lines. Also, FBI looks at soldiers with gang ties.
A home tackles Iraq's Sunni-Shiite divide A married couple offers a window into the schisms, big and small, that rend the fabric of Iraq's socie ty.
Le Monde diplomatique May 2006 ‘Withdraw, move on and rampage’ Iraq’s resistance evolves
LA Times Iraq's Prime Minister Set to Present Cabinet Picks

RawStory JUDITH MILLER TO ASSERT SHE GOT TIP OFF OF 9/11 ATTACK...
America's alliances are more flexible than ever before By Donald H. Rumsfeld
Foreign Policy The List: The Six Most Important US Military Bases
Needed: Holistic Support of Middle Eastern Democracy By Danielle Pletka

Monday, May 15, 2006

BULLETIN No.110

Jerusalem Post The Region: Why bail Hamas out?
For Israel and Hamas, a Case for Accommodation By Robert Malley and Aaron David Miller, While Hamas's and Israel's long-term designs remain at loggerheads, their immediate agendas dovetail.
Ha’aretz – Haniyeh: Plan implicitly accepting Israel important
Ha’aretz – Islamic Jihad said planning to assassinate PA Chairman Abbas
Yedioth Ahronoth Haniyeh: Right of return holy Palestinian prime minister says right of return for Palestinian refugees is 'holy' for Palestinian people; Hamas-led government will make no concessions on issue to international peace brokers, he hints
Debka A Hamas Ideologue Bares His Movement’s Secret Designs and Dilemmas
Column One: America embraces the Hamas fantasy
Hamas 2.0: A view from Ramallah
Yedioth Ahronoth 'Don't respond to Iran taunts' Expert: Israeli leaders serve Iran's interests by responding to Ahmadinejad's provocations

Syrian Kurdish follow-up conference to convene in Brussels
Kurdish Aspect The Baath’s regime of Syria continues Arabization of Kurdish ... Regarding a direct command of Bashar al-Asad issued on 2006/9/5, 244 Palestinian thrown out after destroying the Saddam’ Regime, to be settled in Syria
US Report Accuses Syria of Seeking Nukes
Jerusalem Post 'Syria should leave Lebanon' Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem said Friday the UN Security Council's involvement in Syria and Lebanon may impede attempts to reach a better
Ehsan Ahrari AQ Khan’s Syrian Connection
BBC Holiday hotspots Little-known Syrian seaside resort awaits a tourist boom
Syria Rejects UN Draft Resolution on Lebanon
Syria warns UN not to intervene in Damascus' ties with Beirut 02:45
Lebanon's new resolve on Palestinian issue
PLO opens a new office in Beirut Monday ahead of talks targeting armed groups, refugee conditions

New York Times U.N. Finds New Uranium Traces in Iran
Newsweek Our New Pen Pal Bush has been clear on Iran: no one-on-one talks. But with no good military options, and Tehran's putting out feelers, will that change?
Washington Post Thinking Outside the Iran Box By Jim Hoagland
From Iran, With Something Less Than Love By ELAINE SCIOLINO Ahmadinejad's letter to Bush was eerily reminiscent of a letter sent in 1989 by Khomeini to Gorbachev.
Time Should We Talk With Tehran? A missive from Iran stirs a call for direct negotiations over the country's nukes. Here's why the U.S. isn't tempted
Brzezinski Calls for Direct Talks With Iran
ArmsControlWonk Iranian Centrifuge Developments [4]
Asia Times Tehran gets a sanctions reprieve - for now Hard diplomacy by the US predictably failed to get the united front needed to brand Iran a threat to world peace. It remains to be seen whether a softer line of "carrots" will be more successful. It is even questionable whether such terms as "carrots" and "sticks" belong in the vocabulary of diplomats. - Kaveh L Afrasiabi
OpenDemocracy Constants and variables in Iran Iranians' traditional attitudes to Arabs and the west are being reinforced by a growing regional confidence, says Hazem Saghieh
Financial Times Editorial A grand bargain still only solution on Iran
Heightened Pressure for a Direct US-Iran Dialogue
New clue to Iran's nuclear aims cited Western diplomats said there were signs that Iran was continuing to pursue uranium-enrichment research in secret.
Washington Post Annan Urges U.S. to Take Part in Talks With Iran
BBC US rejects Annan appeal on Iran The US rejects an appeal by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to talk directly to Iran about its nuclear programme
The EU should abandon the U.S. on Iran By Nicole Stracke The European Union "is at a crossroads" was how the media interpreted the beginning of direct negotiations between the European Union-3 - Britain, France and Germany - and Iran in 2003, so that Tehran would renounce nuclear enrichment.

Christian Science Monitor Patronage charges roil Iraq's bid for unity Squabbling among the dominant Shiite parties is the latest impediment to a unity government.
NRO VICTOR DAVIS HANSON: America’s carrying out of World War II could have been much more criticized by the press than the carrying out of the war in Iraq. “In the Eye of the Beholder
Iraq's Bosnian Future Tikkun
USA Today Shi'ites May Form Iraq Govt Unilaterally
Business oils wheels ready for Iraq rebuildJeffrey Smith, a fluent Arabic-speaker from his time in the US special forces, says he is probably the only American citizen to live and work with ordinary Iraqis in downtown Baghdad.
Zarqawi Steps Up Civilian Attacks
The ominous backlash of a U.S. pullout from Iraq By Rami G. Khouri Now that the United States and the United Kingdom are talking increasingly about how to get out of Iraq, could we please try to agree on why they went in there in the first place? I do not say this out of spite or to score points.
Iraq’s Press: A Status Report
Party abandons Iraq talks One of the smaller parties in the main Shia alliance in Iraq says it is withdrawing from talks on a new cabinet.

Al Hayat The Dangers of Iraq, Iran and Palestine: Jordan in Anxiety
Iran and Turkey fire salvo over Iraq Asia Times Ankara and Tehran have both taken the fight into Iraqi territory, thereby notifying Washington and Baghdad that an axis is forming against moves toward Kurdish autonomy. The already fractious domestic political scene is further complicated by the new alliance.
Turkey's fate tied to stability in IraqBaltimore Sun,
Erdal Şafak Türkiye, İran ve İsrail
Turkey, the US, Iran and the perils of missed opportunitiesCengiz Candar
The Observer Memo to EU: we call it Islamic terrorism because it is terror inspired by Islam Nick Cohen: The EU can't understand what its enemies are saying, because it won't call them by their right name.
McCain to Send Baker to the Middle East? FrontPage
Sunday Telegraph 10 years on and there are cold wars everywhere Ever since the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, pessimists have been asking themselves when the next cold war will begin, and who the new enemy will be. But what if it's cold wars, plural, and enemies, plural, we should be worrying about, asks Niall Ferguson.
NYT Magazine The Perils of Soft Power By JOSEF JOFFE Why America's cultural influence makes enemies, too
Daily TelegraphFreedom's best guarantor is a sovereign parliament The best guarantor of freedom is a sovereign parliament - which is another way of saying that it is up to us all to safeguard our rights. As Disraeli put it: "To the liberalism they profess, I prefer the liberties we enjoy."
DAVID BROOKS From Freedom to Authority
In the political world, we're seeing a conservatism that emphasizes freedom give way to a conservatism that emphasizes authority.
Newsweek Analyzing 9/11 Conspiracy Theories
Is Neoconservativism Dead? Hopes for a strong democracy in Iraq are melting in the desert sun and American neoconservatives refuse to admit the war has been a clear debacle. But their goal of democratizing the Middle East remains an admirable one.
Fareed Zakaria: The RealStory of Pricey Oil Since the mid-1970s the demand for petroleum in Western Europe and Japan has been flat. In the United States it has doubled.
Juan Cole Very Basic Suggested Reading List on Middle East* ...

Friday, May 12, 2006

BULLETIN No.109

The Making of Islamic Democracies in the Middle East
MEMRI May 11 IA# 274 - Poverty Issues in the Middle East

The Challenge for Hamas: Establishing Transparency and AccountabilityGeneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces
Yedioth Ahronoth Caution: US to the right/ Adiri Hawkish American policy may look good now, but it could erode US influence in region
The IDF: An Uncomfortable Analysis
Washington Institute Jordan and Palestine Recent moves by King Abdullah II of Jordan seem to be reopening the possibility of reuniting the East Bank and the West Bank even while Ehud Olmert pledges to draw Israel’s permanent borders by the end of the decade.
Editorial Embracing Palestinians but not Hamas
Ha’aretz – Before another 30 years go by At the end of Bush's presidency Israel will find itself in a very uncomfortable situation. That's why it needs to pursue peace with Palestinians now
Editorial The Palestinian crisisPalestinians, on the brink of a humanitarian crisis, are to get some relief after aid donors decided this week to find ways round the international boycott of the...
Israel backs decision to aid Palestinians bypassing Hamas
CFR Hamas: Isolate or Engage? Nadia Hijab and Shmuel Rosner, discuss different approaches for dealing with Hamas. View debate
Ha’aretz – Bypassing Hamas Hamas being 'non partner' relieves Israel of need to negotiate, while Hamas is relieved of having to make ideological concessions, making them strategic partners.
BBC Palestinian fuel crisis looming
Palestinian fuel supplies are set to be cut off over unpaid debts, hours after Mid-East mediators backed an aid plan.
Aid plan challenge to Hamas
Cuts squeeze lifeline to sick
From Prison, a Palestinian Plan to Form a State
Islamic Leaders Call for Aid to Palestinians
CSM Aid may flow again to Palestinians
The US, UN, EU, and Russia say they will release international aid, but bypass Hamas-led government.
Aid starts to flow, fuel is cut off Israel cut off fuel to the Palestinian Authority, and details emerged of a new international fund to channel aid to Gaza and the West Bank
Peretz: Change policy on PA that sparked aid crisis
Gulf News New Palestinian aid deal agreed
Palestinians will start to receive foreign aid again after a deal was agreed to temporarily channel help directly to the people.
Hamas welcomes moves to resume aid
The Hamas-led Palestinian government welcomed moves yesterday by the Middle East quartet to resume aid payments but expressed anger at the continued political boycott of the regime.
As Gazans Wait for Aid, Their Situation Is Dire
Israel Is Open to European Plan for Aid to Palestinians
Ahmadinejad: Israel will vanish one day
Hamas: We’ll recognize Israel within '67 borders

COMMENT AND ANALYSIS: Syria's secular regime attempts to ride a religious revival By Roula Khalaf
Washington Institute Taking Aim at Syria and Hizballah: Walid Jumblat's Brave Stance
ChamPress
Syria takes in Palestinian refugees stranded on Iraq border
Syria signs up US exploration firm
US, France circulates draft UN resolution on Syria
Jordan says Hamas trains recruits in Syria and Iran
Russia against new UN move on Syria
BBC Lebanon protests over reforms
Lebanon’s Power Politics
CFR Lebanese Political Leaders “Unable” to Reform or Take Country Forward
Lebanon must plan beyond Bush and Chirac By Michael Young

Washington Institute Perils and Promise of U.S.-Iranian Negotiations Direct talks with Tehran risk damaging U.S. popularity; undercutting Iranian reformists; framing the nuclear crisis as a bilateral, not a global, issue; and offering the Iranian government a propaganda coup. But the United States can take steps to minimize these dangers if it decides negotiations offer sufficient rewards.
UPI Analysis: Road to U.N. resolution on Iran By WILLIAM M. REILLYThe U.N. Security Council remains deadlocked in negotiations for a new resolution making mandatory Iran's compliance with the IAEA.
Washington Post United States Under Pressure on Tehran Experts From Both Parties Speak Out
Editorial Another Pitch to Iran Tehran suggests the West abandon democracy; the West offers talks. Is this how to stop a nuclear threat?
In Iran, Apocalypse vs. Reform By Jackson Diehl
Knight-Ridder Rice signals slight U.S. retreat on Iran, Palestinian aid
Slate Dear Mahmoud: How Bush should respond to the Iranian president's letter. Fred Kaplan
Ehsan Ahrari Iran’s Nuclear Policy Muddle, May 10, 2006
Iran's leader casts himself as Muslims' regional hero

Juan Cole - "Saving Iraq: Mission Impossible," Salon.com
New York Times Iraq Set to Unify Security Forces to Battle Chaos
Weekly Standard The Sistani Paradox Building a democracy with the ayatollahs we have. by Duncan Currie
Rebuilding Iraqi Security By Andrew Rathmell, Olga Oliker, Terrence K. Kelly, David Brannan, and Keith Crane
UPI 'No hope' left in Iraq, expert says
The Times Editorial Exodus of the Iraqi middle class For many professionals this assault on their livelihoods and expertise is the final straw, and they are leaving Baghdad in droves
An excerpt from Iraq: the Logic of Withdrawal.
FT Building ambition raises Middle East financial stakesAs rival Gulf states seek to mimic Dubai’s success in attracting regional headquarters of businesses and banks with glitzy new developments, cannibalisation may set in.
Newsweek Hirsh: World Faces Devastating Energy Wars
The rise of a new global energy elite means high oil and gas prices are here to stay.
Zakaria: Osama Needs More Mud HutsGlobal Islamic terrorism is the product of scattered groups. It has much less support in the Muslim world than people think.

The Implications of China's Rise for Asia and Europe Finnish Instiute of International Affairs
Daily Star Turkey fears the worst from a U.S. attack against Iran By Kemal Kirisci

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

BULLETIN No.108

What motivates unilateralism? By EFRAIM INBAR Israel's neighbors cannot bring themselves to formally agree to its demands.
Olmert's paradoxWhoever seeks to unilaterally determine the borders of the country cannot guarantee security for its citizens.
Gulf News The bomb is ticking away in Palestine
The American administration should know better than to deprive the PNA employees of their salaries for no fault of theirs.
Dar Al-Hayat The Palestinian Split Abdullah Iskandar - Hamas imposed – due to its popular presence and electoral landslide – a balance which threatens, for the first time, the unity that had been led by Fatah. Hamas' battle with Fatah is not over authority for the sake of authority, but rather over changing the core of the Palestinian action and its relation with the occupation and the world.
Islamic Jihad isn't swayed by Hamas - Michael Matza
U.S. Softens Position on Palestinian Aid
U.S. may soften stance on Hamas-led government Daily Star The Quartet of Middle East peace brokers haggled on Tuesday over how to channel aid to the Palestinians, with signs that the United States might soften its stand to prevent the collapse of a Hamas-led government. The group of international mediators - the U.S., Russia, the EU and the UN - first heard gloomy scenarios from foreign.
Quartet agrees aid for Palestinians
Hamas signals suspicion over new Quartet aid plan
Plan Would Provide Aid To Palestinians Direct Pipeline Suggested to Avoid Hamas
US congressmen praise Turkish-Israeli ties New Anatolian
Arab League Boycott of Israel Congressional Research Service

Washington Times A logical imperative (Farid Ghadry) Emboldened by Iran, Damascus is thumbing its nose at the international community
Syria reasserts its influence in Lebanon Fouad Siniora, Lebanon’s prime minister, acknowledged that the campaign to oust pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud has hit a brick wall and Damascus’ allies were instead preparing to stage a show of force to undermine the government
Salloukh: Lebanon not seeking to overpower Syria
Cultural Challenges to Democratic Reform in Syria Media Monitors Network - Organizations.". Democracy is a demand advanced by many intellectuals and activists in Syria, but is still far from becoming a popular demand.

Iran's Nuclear Program: The Way Out - Hassan Rohani, Time
COMMENT: Iran is eager to defuse the nuclear squabble Iran wants recognition and readmission into international society. Iranians have no desire for international isolation By Abbas Maleki
Tehran searches for allies in Muslim world
Another move in an Iranian game of chess By Quentin Peel
BBC Beyond diplomacy Would a US attack on Iran's nuclear sites be an illegal act?
UPI Analysis: Ahmadinejad's letter
If this is Ahmadinejad's bluff, it is bluff worth calling Simon Jenkins: The only route to regime change and disarmament is engagement, so the US must respond to this week's letter from Tehran.
Commentary Magazine Three Reasons Not to Bomb Iran--Yet by Edward N. Luttwak The regime must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, but neither must we act immediately
Deterring Teheran By DANIEL PIPES
Dar Al-Hayat Ahmadinejad and the Matchstick! Jamil Ziabi - The current period in the region, known as post-Saddam Hussein, has not seen a ‘revolutionary’ leader afflicted with such ‘revolution hysterics’ as current Iranian President Ahmadinejad. What can the Iranians do to protect themselves and their country from Ahmadinejad’s slogans and surprises?
When Iran's Genocidal Mullahs Think the Unthinkable - Austin Bay
Gulf News Major powers fail to agree on Iran plan
Foreign ministers of major powers have failed to come up with a joint strategy for dealing with Iran's nuclear programme, officials said.
Iran May Receive Incentives
Country offered affordable energy and greater trade if Tehran gives up nuclear ambitions.
Critical mass with Iran
America's standoff with Iran gets tenser
Ahmadinejad's letter reveals just how far apart US, Tehran remain, experts say.
Iran's nuclear gambit - the basics
As UN foreign ministers craft a response to Iran, some basic questions answered.
The Times Iran to be offered nuclear deal There is continuing opposition from Russia and China to Britain's call for a UN resolution depriving Iran of the legal right to enrich uranium
WSJ Crazy Mahmoud Would you buy a "grand bargain" from this man?
Washington Times Engaging Iranians By Helle Dale What do the masses think?
Worldwide Don't underestimate the weakness of Iran's theocracy, says Simon Scott Plummer

CSIS - The Uncertain Cost of the Iraq War -Anthony Cordesman
National Review JOHN R. THOMSON & HUSSAIN HINDAWI: Iraq needs to be more like Switzerland. “Fragmentation
The Big Question: is Iraq slipping into civil war? By Dr Kamal Mirawdeli
Washington Post It's Only $300 Billion If We Can Fund the War in Iraq, Why Can't We Fund the Kyoto Protocol? By Cass R. Sunstein, For the United States, the cost of the Iraq war will soon exceed the anticipated cost of the Kyoto Protocol
Is US finally ready to pull troops from Iraq? Though Iraqi forces 'very badly equipped' and gov't still forming, US may be able to start withdrawal.
Dar Al-Hayat Resistance in Basra?! Abdel Wahab Badrakhan - Gunning down a British helicopter in Basra may be a sign that resistance against British occupation forces in the city has started. Tony Blair, who has deservedly been referred to as the 'butcher' by the London press following the recent cabinet reshuffle, received a strong blow with the British death toll in Basra.
Independence no longer an impossible dream By Qubad Talabani
Ankara has difficulty accepting Kurdish reality Ilnur Cevik
KurdishMedia The Kurdish political elite - By Hishyar Barzani There are important similarities between the Kurdish political elite and its Middle Eastern counterpart.

IHT For many, EU 'is big enough' Many Europeans complain that the EU is expanding too far, too fast.
Globalization's grave challenges for the West By ROBERT A. LEVINE Reactions to globalization both wealthy sides of the Atlantic have taken different forms, raising different problems.
Orbis - Countering Aggressive Rising Powers A Clash of Strategic Cultures By Thomas Donnely
An interview with Colin Powell by People's Daily.
From NPQ, an interview with Madeline Albright.
Paul Krugman on the truth about conspiracy theories
An interview with Noam Chomsky on subordinate and non-subordinate states.

Brookings Turkey: Bridge Between East and West Second Annual Sakıp Sabancı Lecture, Center on the U.S. and Europe (May 23, 2006) Featured Speaker: Paul Wolfowitz

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

BULLETIN No.107

Washington Post A Realistic Idealism There's a Right Way to Support Democracy in the Mideast By Madeleine K. Albright
Jerusalem Post The Region: A 'civil war' born of Islamism By BARRY RUBINWhen thinking of the Middle East, Sudan may not immediately come to mind.
Muslims and Jews: Common Ground By Robert Eisen
Daily Star Arab regimes have to take action before Iraq's nightmare spreads

Fatal attraction: the Hamas-Iran alliance By Anna Mahjar-Barducci
Sunday Times Israel foils plot to kill Palestinian president
Did Hamas Try To Kill Abbas?
Targeting Hamas hurts innocents
By Fareed Taamallah Israel, Europe and the U.S. are punishing Palestinian civilians.
Ha’aretz – Aluf Benn An heir of difference Olmert is very different from Sharon. He is resolved, unequivocal and completely focused on the task at hand.
Yedioth Ahronoth '62% want Arab emigration' Annual survey shows Israel continues to decline in democracy index; nearly one third of respondents say Jewish majority required for crucial national decisions, almost two thirds want to encourage Arabs to leave the country
Guardian Enemies of the promised land David Hirsh New evidence shows that the Nazis feared and opposed the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine.
BBC Aid block 'may ruin Palestinians' The Hamas-led Palestinian Authority will collapse if it continues to be starved of aid, the World Bank warns.
FT Buffett's Israeli acquisition lifts investor mood
Editorial Buffett in Galilee
Pain of Hamas boycott worse than feared for Gaza's people
MEMRI May 09 SD# 1158 - Hamas Deputy Marzouk: Non-Recognition of Israel A Hamas Founding Principle
BBC Three die in Fatah-Hamas clashes Three Palestinians are killed after a gun battle in southern Gaza between rival Hamas and Fatah groups.
After Shootout, Palestinians Try to Calm Infighting
Changed times Mid-East Quartet faces hard choice over how to respond to Hamas
Yedioth Ahronoth 'Mideast peace slipping away' Jordan's King Abdullah: Two years left to forge Arab-Israeli settlement that could bring peace
Funds Cut, Gaza Faces a Plague of Health Woes
Curbs on Hamas have saddled the Palestinian medical system with crippling shortages of a range of medical supplies.
EU plans to go it alone with aid for Palestinians Humanitarian crisis could deepen, report warns · Quartet seeks to bypass Hamas in providing funds
Ex-Israeli Intel Head on Iran, Hamas
Ha’aretz The Country That Wouldn't Grow Up by Tony Judt
Boston Globe Playing ethnic politics By H.D.S. Greenway
Bush: US Must Ensure Israel's Security
UPI 'Dove' takes over Israeli Defense Ministry
Olmert'in dayatması konuşuluyor, peki ya Arap Barış Planı? Ceyda Karan

Washington Institute Putting the Squeeze on Syria

Financial Times Iran in surprise approach to BushMahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad, Iran’s president, demonstrated again his capacity to surprise the world by writing directly to President George W. Bush, in an apparent effort to deflect US pressure for international action over its nuclear programme
Daily Star Editorial Ahmadinejad's letter to Bush inspires new hope for resolving nuclear issue
BBC US rejects surprise Iran letter The Iranian president's letter to George W Bush does not address key issues, the White House says.
UPI U.S. can't count on European support in Iran war
BBC Targeting Iran Iranian exiles in the US differ over how to topple the ayatollahs
Iran Threatens Pullout From Treaty
U.S. Backs Push for Tehran to Stop Enrichment
Financial Times COMMENT: America must use a wide lens for its strategy on Iran By Chuck Hagel Any solution to the Iranian nuclear threat has to address the broader interests of all parties
Guardian Letter in need of an answer Simon Tisdall: Yesterday's letter from Ahmadinejad to Bush may represent a tentative but significant first step towards direct talks with the US.
IHT Merkel's advice on Iran Since she moved into the German chancellor's office last November, Angela Merkel has demonstrated a real skill in effective, low-key diplomacy.
Editorial Death in Basra Iran is exploiting the struggle for power among Iraq's Shia militias
US pushes for Iran financial sanctions
The Perils of Engagement - Calling for talks with Iran is just cheap talk Amir Taheri
CFR To Engage or Not Engage Tehran
Monitor Briefing: Iran's nuclear gambit As UN ministers craft a response to Iran, some basic questions answered.
Talk to Tehran A nuclear Iran will be seriously destabilizing. Our diplomacy should be aggressive and direct. By SAMUEL R. BERGER
C.I.A. Chief Will Face Critical Gaps in Iran Data - NYT
Don't think Iranians are united on the nuclear issue By Sadegh Zibakalam
Iran Says It Will Spurn Any U.N. Nuclear Edict
How Iran Pushes Up Oil Prices
To Counter Iran, Boost Missile Defenses - Robert Robb, Arizona Republic
Deft Demagoguery in Iran For Now, at Least, Ahmadinejad Is Winning Support By Jackson Diehl
Independent The Big Question: Is Iran developing a nuclear bomb, and if so, should it be stopped?
Tehran reaches out to US in surprise move

CSIS Iraq and the Problem of Militias -Anthony H. Cordesman
Atlantic Monthly FOREIGN AFFAIRS Hunkering Down A guide to the U.S. military’s future in Iraq by Fred Kaplan
New York Times Three Iraqs Would Be One Big Problem By ANTHONY H. CORDESMAN Fracturing Iraq into three ethno-religious entities would not serve either Iraqi or U.S. interests, and would make life for average Iraqis even worse.
UPI Policy Watch: Impact of a Quick Pullout
The time to pull out of Iraq draws near Con Coughlin
Editorial Funny Money on Iraq If the Bush administration wants to start winning back its credibility, honest budgeting for the war in Iraq would be one good place to start.
Recipe For a Wider War - Spencer Ackerman, The Plank
Edward Luttwak - Civil war: the only way to bring peace to Iraq - Sunday Telegraph
Death squads deepen division in Baghdad Bombs Sunday killed at least 30; some 45 men were found slain in the city
2 Years Later, Slayings in Iraq and Lost Cash Are Mysteries
Asia Times US stalls on Iraqi peace offer Gareth Porter
US General: Iraqi Army in North to Take Over Region in 2007
NPR Iraq's Kurds Prompt Troop Movement in Turkey, Iran
Prime Minister Barzani's speech emphasises efficiency and opennessKurdistan Regional Government
The latest Turkish and Iranian escapade and the Kurdish options - By Eamad MazouriAny intervention in Iraqi Kurdistan will certainly lead to the disturbance of that state which is very important for US.

Newsweek Hirsh: World Faces Devastating Energy Wars