Friday, June 30, 2006

BULLETIN No.134

Der Spiegel Syrian President Bashar al-Assad: We are not anxious about an Iranian-American settlement. If it happens, it will serve the cause of stability, and Syria…(Part II)
PINR "Intelligence Brief: Russia's Moves in Syria" Full text of report
Israeli jets ‘in warning to Damascus’
Israeli forces go after Hamas leaders in Gaza and Syria Israel has arrested 64 Hamas officials, and is also pressuring its Syrian ties.

Jerusalem Post What is Israel's Gaza strategy?
Israelis 'are trying to bring down Hamas government'
Ha’aretz – Editorial Negotiations are an option Israel's decision to escalate its response to the abduction of Gilad Shalit, and strike specific Gaza Strip targets still can be considered part of the options of violent diplomacy, and not all-out war.
Analysis: Lebanese rules of war
Daily Telegraph Gaza and Syria shaken Israel has shown its military might as Ehud Olmert, the prime minister, threatens 'extreme steps' to free a kidnapped soldier.
Daily Star The dangerous liaisons of Hamas' exiles By Ziad AsaliThe similarities between Gaza now and 18 years in Lebanon are frightening.
Der Spiegel The Ongoing War against Reality Many are treating the apparent recognition of Israel by Hamas as a sign of hope. It's not. Indeed, the Palestinians have no such intention -- and have left Israel with only military options. By Henryk M. Broder
Leader Hostage to fortune How Hamas deals with this crisis will say much about its intentions
Editorial Hamas Provokes a Fight The responsibility for the escalation in the Middle East rests squarely with Hamas, whose military wing tunneled into Israel on Sunday, killed two Israeli soldiers and kidnapped another.
New York Times Israelis Batter Gaza and Seize Hamas Officials In the West Bank early on Thursday, Israeli forces arrested the Palestinian deputy prime minister, two other cabinet ministers and four lawmakers in Ramallah.
Washington Post Israel Detains Palestinian Officials From Hamas Gunmen claim to have carried out threat to kill Israeli teen, but officials had yet to make a definitive identification on body found by soldiers
Christian Science Monitor Behind Israeli army's return to Gaza: multiple motives Palestinian-Israeli standoff goes beyond one kidnapped soldier – for both sides.
Invading Gaza helps neither sideBoth Israelis and Palestinians should think carefully about where their latest confrontation is leading. It is natural that Israel should wish to get its kidnapped corporal back. But it is doubtful whether going into Gaza in armoured strength is the best way of doing so.

Al Hayat Iran the State and Iran the Daawa Randa Takieddine - The possibility of launching talks between Iran and the US, as suggested by Syrian President al-Assad in his interview with 'al-Hayat's' Editor-in-Chief, may give the impression that these negotiations are in the interest of Syria, which would regain its influence in Lebanon. The West sees otherwise because it considers Syria the Achilles' heel in the Iranian-Syrian alliance.
Daily Star In dealing with Iran, don't forget Syria
CSIS Iran's Energy Equation Bijan Khajehpour spoke about Iran's oil and gas reserves at an event sponsored by CSIS's Energy Program. LISTEN TO THE EVENT

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

BULLETIN No.133

Asharq Alawsat Syria vs. Islamist Militants: Is It Hype? Syria is touting what it calls an increasing threat of Islamic extremists, fueled by popular anger over the violence in Iraq.
Global Terrorism Analysis Syria's Abu al-Qaqa: Authentic Jihadist or Imposter? Pictures of the dead assailants were displayed in Syria's state-run dailies the next morning to end all speculation that the ordeal was fabricated by the
Al Hayat Bashar alAssad interview : al-Qaida's Presence in Lebanon is Growing … Sometimes We Pursue Terrorists and They Flee There ... We Accept the Principle of Having an Embassy (in Lebanon) and Reject Having it Imposed ... The Game of Demarcating the Shebaa Farms Borders has Well-Known Objectives... (Part I)
Bashar Clamps Down
Israel Insider Israel says Hamas leader in Syria is target for assassination An Israeli Cabinet minister said Wednesday that Hamas' Syria-based leader, Khaled Mashaal, is a target for assassination

Independent War or peace? Israeli jets strike. Hamas set to accept two-state solution Hamas committed itself for the first time to a two-state solution even as the Israeli military struck in the crisis over a captured soldier.
Ha’aretz – IDF forces move into Gaza in operation to pressure Palestinians into releasing abducted soldier
ANALYSIS: Gaza incursion aimed at surrounding abductors
Fatah: PA to formulate unity government within two weeks Hamas, Fatah agree on plan that implicitly recognizes Israel, calls for Palestinian state along 1967 lines
ANALYSIS: Fatah, Hamas send message via prisoners' plan
Debka Massed Tanks Seek to Repair Israel’s Tattered Deterrence Print
The Hamas-Fatah Deal: Too Soon for Celebration Stratfor
BBC Israeli soldiers push into Gaza Israeli troops reach the town of Rafah in southern Gaza after an overnight incursion aimed at rescuing a soldier captured by Palestinian militants.
Feeling the heat Abduction crisis piles the pressure on the Hamas leadership
Hamas resist Israel recognition Hamas negotiators say that their deal with Palestinian rivals Fatah does not mean recognition of Israel.
Prison experiences Why Palestinians are backing calls for prisoner releases Hamas Ends Political Stalemate with Rival Fatah Party
Debka Massed Tanks Seek to Repair Israel’s Tattered Deterrence Print
WSJ Stop Terror at Its Source A return to targeted killing might improve Israeli security. By MICHAEL OREN
Guardian Israeli army launches Gaza attack Troops enter Gaza to try to secure the release of an Israeli solider held hostage by Palestinian militants.
Hamas moves to recognise IsraelVictory for Abbas on peace talks
Explainer: Hostage policy
Shouting not talking Simon Tisdall: Israel is in danger not of obliteration by 'Islamic extremists' but of delegitimisation by its own polices and actions.
Israeli threat unites Hamas and Fatah With Israeli troops on the Gaza border, militant Hamas reached a power- sharing agreement with Fatah.
CFR Palestinians Divided as Israeli Strike Looms
War is mutual, so must be the peace By Rami G. Khouri
IHT Abbas and the future of Palestine HENRY SIEGMAN The capture of an Israeli soldier in a raid by Palestinian militants has created a leadership struggle within the Palestinian Authority.
New York Times Israeli Troops Enter Gaza; Bridges Are Hit Israel sent troops into Gaza and its planes attacked three bridges and a power station early Wednesday in an operation to rescue a soldier abducted by militants. Earlier, Palestinian political factions completed a draft agreement aimed at a national unity government.

Washington Post A Road Map Home
From Khalilzad, Realism on the Iraqi Insurgency By David Ignatius,
Washington Times Failing in Iraq By Harlan Ullman White House and Congress come up short

Heritage Foundation U.S. Policy and Iran’s Nuclear Challenge by James Phillips

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

BULLETIN No.132

Gulf News Islam and secularism must go hand in hand in Syria For the first time since the secular Baath Party came to power in 1963, one finds an interesting observation in "official" Syria.
Lebanese PM: 'Accusatory statements' may make ties with Syria even worse By Rym Ghazal Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said Monday that his people "know the truth" about the continuing diplomatic deadlock between Beirut and Damascus. "We need to avoid making accusatory statements that may cause further disturbances between Lebanon and Syria," Siniora said from Berne after meeting.
Assad Tells US Team Ready for Dialogue
Al-Bawaba Assad ready to meet Hariri been widely blamed on Damascus. "We were asked whether if Saad Hariri came to Syria we would receive him.
Stratfor Syria: Extremists Escape Into Lebanon - Members of extremist Islamist groups, who were being pursued by Syrian security forces, have escaped across the mountainous border between Syria and Lebanon
Jerusalem Post Syria: No imposed diplomatic ties with Lebanon - Syria is not opposed to establishing diplomatic relations with Lebanon, but no foreign power could impose such ties, Syrian President Bashar Assad

HOSTAGE DILEMMA Will Israel negotiate with Hamas?
Israel threatens invasion Israel has massed troops and tanks on the border of Gaza and has threatened to invade if a recently kidnapped soldier is not released.
In Gaza, Defiantly Awaiting Israeli Retaliation
Ha’aretz – Editorial Separation of politics and diplomacy The Foreign Ministry employees have come to learn that the key to a prime posting lies in the office of the minister or duty politician, a practice which has often prejudiced Israel's foreign ties, and undermined the quality of its public relations efforts to explain its policies around the world.
Marcus The unilateral way With Hamas in the Palestinian Authority government and terror organizations bombarding, fighting, shooting, killing and abducting, there is no partner for dialogue.
Benn Analysis: Kerem Shalom attack sidelines convergence plan Israel's new leadership lacks experience in defense issues and it will take time until the public accepts its authority.
Yedioth Ahronoth A precious commodity/Netanyahu
Jerusalem Post The Region: A review that speaks volumes
BBC Israel rules out prisoner release Olmert says no Palestinian prisoners will be freed to get news of an abducted Israeli soldier.
KR Soldier's abduction a turning point in Israeli-Palestinian conflict

An Iraq amnesty will split the insurgency By Henri J. Barkey The new Iraqi government is considering giving amnesty to some insurgents, including those who committed attacks against the United States, other coalition forces and the Iraqi military. It's understandable that many US soldiers and other Americans would find the idea offensive. Nevertheless.
New York Times Some Insurgents Are Asking Iraq for Negotiations Several Sunni-led insurgent groups have sought talks after the prime minister presented a reconciliation plan.
Time What's Behind Iraq's 'Amnesty' Plan
CFR Barkey: Amnesty Can Undercut Insurgency
Iran's Ahmadinejad planning to visit Iraq: report
Dar Al-Hayat Reconciliation in Central IraqFinancial Times White House considers draft plan for troop cuts in Iraq The White House confirmed that the top American general in Iraq had drafted a plan for a steep reduction in US troops but cautioned that it was only one potential scenario.
Christian Science Monitor Is US planning large withdrawal from Iraq? Media reports say yes, but leading GOP senators say it's too early to plan.
Iraq: An Offer of Amnesty in a Complex Landscape Stratfor

Guardian US underestimates Ahmadinejad at its peril Simon Tisdall

Foreign Policy The Mind-Set Matters: Foreign Policy Is Shaped by Leaders and Events, Not Lobbies By Dennis Ross

Monday, June 26, 2006

BULLETIN No.131

Council on Foreign Relations Bashar Clamps Down government. The opposition website Syria Monitor lists some of the writers and human rights activists who have been arrested recently.
Dar Al Hayat Syria is Not Iran It is natural for Syria to want to open up to the influential Arab states at this stage. The question that is mostly raised in the
Syria Comment
Odds and Ends
"The Truth about Islamic Extremist Groups in Syria" by Abdullah T.
An Opposition Member Gives His Analysis
The CIA's View of Syria
Daily Star Assad's door is 'open' to Siniora, Hariri - and Aoun Premier Fouad Siniora, MP Saad Hariri and MP Michel Aoun." In an interview with pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat to be published Monday, Assad said: "Syria has welcomed
American Conservative Divided & Conquered A visit to Syria, Israel, and Palestine reveals the barriers—physical as well as political—to Mideast peace. By Scott McConnell
Wary of U.S., Syria and Iran Strengthen Ties The two governments are tightening relations on several fronts as power shifts away from the Sunni to Shiites
Lebanon Condemns UN for Ignoring “Israeli Spy Network”

Marwan Barghouti's indispensable role By Ghassan Khatib Marwan Barghouti is seen as a political phenomenon by Palestinians. He gained huge popularity during the first few years of intifada until his arrest by the Israeli occupation forces. There are three main reasons that made him for a few years the second or third most popular Palestinian personality, sometimes after Yasser Arafat.
Palestinians and Israelis must be able to meet to talk peace By Benjamin Pogrund Nearly 200 people went to the Notre Dame Center in Jerusalem one afternoon last week to hear two political leaders speak about the pitfalls and problems of Israeli-Palestinian dialogue and cooperation. The leaders are well known:
Gaza hostilities rise The Israel-Hamas conflict edges toward 'all-out war' as both sides up the ante
U.S. Senate passes bill to block aid to Hamas gov't
Israel seeks revenge for deathsHamas warned after two soldiers killed in pre-dawn raid.
Ha’aretz – Split Deepens Between Hamas' Political, Military Wings
Analysis: Kerem Shalom attack sidelines convergence plan
Rumsfeld due to visit Israel for first time since taking office
Olmert: Era of restraint has come to an end
Analysis: IDF's top priority is now return of its kidnapped soldier
Stop talking about 'strengthening' Abbas
Jerusalem Post Analysis: Israel's hostage complex When a soldier is captured, the system goes into shock.
Daily Star Marwan Barghouti's indispensable role By Ghassan Khatib
Palestinians and Israelis must be able to meet to talk peace By Benjamin Pogrund
Yedioth Ahronoth 'Samhadana planned attack' Al-Hayat newspaper report says Popular Resistance Committees chief, killed by IDF recently, personally planned kidnapping at army post Sunday. 'Group carried out plan as revenge for assassination,' report says
U.S. official: Alleged terror plot dramatizes threats U.S. faces
Former Mossad Chief: Iran Weakening, May Do Deal
Schiff Convergence to combat lines Since in essence, the convergence plan is a unilateral withdrawal, it is important to clarify to the public that the chances are the convergence lines will be Israel's new combat lines.
Debka Olmert Ties Israeli Military Hands against an Increasingly Porous Gaza-Israeli Border Print
The New Republic Plan B by Yossi Klein Halevi A right-wing settler and the West Bank pullout.
American Conservative Prophets in Their Own Land By Michael C. DeschAnalyzing the smear campaign against scholars who question U.S. policy toward Israel

WSJ The Voice of Iraq "Nobody is for a withdrawal, even a timetable," says the foreign minister. By ROBERT L. POLLOCK
Newsweek Iraq's Plan for U.S. Troops A national reconciliation plan for Iraq calls for a timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops and, controversially, amnesty for insurgents who attacked American and Iraqi soldiers.
Solution: Break Up Iraq; Reality: It's Not So Easy By DEXTER FILKINS As attractive as the idea of dividing Iraq into sectarian regions sounds, it has one big problem: it could be a bloody affair.
Time Klein: A Democrat Strategy for Iraq
BBC Grand strategy The Bush team has a plan to stabilise Iraq by the US mid-terms
Larry Johnson Preparing For Retreat

Inside Iran's Fractured Regime By Abbas Milani and Michael McFaul, Something is clearly rotten in the state of Iran, and effective U.S. policy can be based only on a clear understanding of the competing factions, intense rivalries and shifting balance of power in the regime.
How good Is US intelligence on Iran? By Graham Allison For the first time since Iran walked away from negotiations with France, Germany and Great Britain in August 2005, there are rays of optimism in the crisis over the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. Before breaking out the champagne to celebrate a diplomatic solution, it may be appropriate to pause for reflection on a troubling unknown:
Misreading Tehran By Karl Vick, Gracious and hospitable, most Iranians seem genuine in their regard for ordinary Americans and reasoned in their criticism of Washington. Yet, understanding of the other eludes both countries.
Time Iran's Power in the ShadowsThe country's supreme religious leader keeps a low profile—and may be the U.S.’s best hope for avoiding another war
Analysis: Waiting for Iran's Answer

MERIA Failure and Longevity: The Dominant Political Order of the Middle East Jonathan Spyer

Friday, June 23, 2006

BULLETIN No.130

Der Spiegel RUSSIA AND SYRIA An Old Base (Friendship) Gets a Facelift Harkening to days gone by, Russia's fleet is returning to the Mediterranean as the Kremlin sends military advisors and weapons to Syria.
Syria: Time's Still Not Right for Embassy in Lebanon
SyriaComment Arab Nationalism, Secure Borders, and Democracy

Washington Institute Abbas, Hamas, and the Referendum Trap
Daily Star Abbas and Olmert agree on summit to get peace process back on its feet
Critical days ahead for Palestine By Rafi Dajani
Ha’aretz – Information from U.S. companies helped Israel locate terror cells
Oren Analysis: The war of cities / Sderot-Gaza, Baghdad-Tehran
PM raises possibility of settlers remaining in Palestinian state
Peretz: Gov't must pay settlers to evacuate
Israeli firms are under investigation for illegal exports to northern Iraq.
Europe, Palestine and Peace Israel wants to midwife the birth of an enemy Palestinian state. By DANIEL SCHWAMMENTHAL
Why Gaza attacks are deadlier The Israeli army is facing an internal investigation into why recent missile strikes have gone so badly
CFR Measuring Progress in Iraq
Talk Boldly With Iran By David Ignatius, Sometime in the next several months, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice or a senior colleague is likely to sit down at a negotiating table with representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran. She could do worse than take a page from Henry Kissinger.
Iran: nuclear issue an excuse to topple government World: West's compromise deal labelled 'a sermon' BBC US accuses Iran over Iraqi Shias The top US general in Iraq makes the most detailed allegations so far about Iranian support for extremists

Jordan turns its sights on Muslim Brotherhood
Stratfor Third Quarter Forecast: From the Middle East to Eurasia - Part 1
Third Quarter Forecast: From the Middle East to Eurasia - Part 2
Foreign Affairs When the Shiites Rise by Vali Nasr

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

BULLETIN No.129

The Emerging Shia Crescent Symposium: Implications for US Policy in the Middle East (audio)
The Emerging Shia Crescent Symposium: Is Shia Power Cause for Concern? (audio)
The Emerging Shia Crescent Symposium: Understanding the Shia (audio)

Ha’aretz - Jailed Hamas official: If we win PA chair, we'll talk with Israel
Yedioth Ahronoth Intelligence chief: Strategic threats on rise
Debka Coalition Aims at Heading off Taliban Advance towards Kabul Full article
Lebanon Steps Up Hunt for Escaped ‘Mossad’ Recruit
Egypt Mediation With Syria Rejected by Jordan
Al-Bawaba FM: Syria targeted by US "Syria is targeted due to its stances in the face of foreign hegemony and interventions," Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem stressed Tuesday, pointing out that
Ya Libnan Pressure needed to change Syria's irrational behavior Syria arrested 10 dissidents in May who had signed the declaration, a document urging the Baathist government to mend ties with Lebanon that have been damaged

Iraqi Force Development in 2006 READ MORE
New York Times Editorial Iraq, Unfiltered Now that he's home from Iraq, President Bush needs to take a hard, unfiltered look at the picture relayed by America's embassy in Baghdad.
Timetable set for Iraq withdrawal However, the long-awaited move, announced by British and Iraqi ministers, was greeted with yet another day of barbaric violence
RFE/RL Iraq: Expert Sees Further Dwindling Of Coalition

Christian Science Monitor MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD
Persian populist wins Arabs' embrace The president of Iran is attracting fans in the Middle East with his fiery rhetoric.
Guardian A year on, Ahmadinejad's popularity is soaring '70% approve' of Ahmadinejad
EurasiaNet Iran Maneuvering For Extra Incentives to Suspend Nuclear Program
Al Hayat Iran's Master Stroke! Abd Al-Razak Al-Safi - Iran has chosen to bolster its relations with Iraq and has announced its intention to resolve all the outstanding issues. Iran has also given Iraq US$1 billion in financial aid. All this has made Iran a major party in all the issues relating to Iraq. The Arab states should not leave the Iraqi scene to be monopolized by non-Arab states, be they Iran, Turkey or the countries the multinational forces belong to.

Intelligence Summit Saudi Arabia pursuing nuclear technology?

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

BULLETIN No.128

The Return of the State in the Middle East Shibley Telhami, The National Interest View Full Article (PDF—77kb).
WSJ The Bleeding Heart of Islam The Middle East inches toward a Reformation. By BRET STEPHENS
Lifting the veil in the Middle East SYLVIA MAIER Women's rights are progressing in many Middle Eastern countries, and numerous small but important victories have been won.

OpenDemocracy Damascus's broken spring Bashar al-Assad's Syria has survived regime defection, internal opposition, US pressure and a UN inquiry. What's his secret, asks Anoushka Marashlian
DEBKAfile Exclusive: New Syria-Iranian defense treaty opens way for Iran`s Revolutionary Guards to deploy on Israel’s Golan border by summer’s end More...
Syria Comment
Former Chancellor Schroeder Puffs Syrian Economy: So Does IMF
Syria Comment in the News: NYTimes - The Nation
Ahmed Abu Adas, Jund al-Sham and Mossad? (by t_desco)
Is the Regime weaker or stronger following the cra...

Ha’aretz – Dahlan: Olmert's unilateral plan will perpetuate violence
Convergence and the Lebanon model
Israel as an Extension of American Empire Tikkun
Yedioth Ahronoth Back to square one/ Alon Ben-Meir
Demographobia
Daily Star Only Palestinians can make Hamas embrace peace By Danielle Pletka
Asia Times You don't need to be apocalyptic, but it helps SPENGLER reviews Standing with Israel by David Brog The importance of evangelical End Time beliefs in shaping US attitudes toward Israel disturbs enlightened world opinion, and this book will inflame these concerns. Still, this work is of great use to both critics and supporters of US policy. Jews and evangelical Christians are on parallel and complementary - although utterly different - paths.
Hamas ponders sacrificing ideological points for political gains

Washington Post The Way Out of Iraq: A Road Map By Mowaffak al-Rubaie,
Der SPIEGEL INTERVIEW WITH JORDAN'S KING ABDULLAH II "If there Is a Civil War in Iraq, Everyone Will Pay a Price"
Asia Times Iraq: The beat goes on and onMany argue that the American project in Iraq is doomed. They have their heads in the clouds. The answer to the crucial question of whether President George W Bush's stay-the-course strategy can succeed is: Yes, it can. There is no reason to doubt his assertions that he will do whatever it takes to achieve victory, however long it takes and whatever the cost. - Robert Dreyfuss

New York Times The Race for Iran By FLYNT LEVERETT As the world watches the political maneuvering over restarting nuclear talks with Iran, few are paying attention to a broader strategic competition that has started between the U.S., Russia and China.
Iran's Nuclear Programme and Policy: A ReportInstitute of Peace and Conflict Studies
The limits of 'soft power' in IranIt takes more than just appropriating money to create an effective program to promote democratic change in Iran. For one thing, existing laws, dating back to the hostage crisis of 1979, prohibit direct contacts with groups inside the country. That leaves broadcasting, but any programs must compete with local news and entertainment. - William Fisher

Monday, June 19, 2006

BULLETIN No.127

MERIA What does the Future Hold for Syria?
Syrian streets scared or not concerned? By Ghassan Al MaflahElaph, 6/8/2006 The author writes, "The Syrian regime has launched a campaign of unjust arrests that reached many intellectuals and political activists in Syria, the pretext [of which] was the Beirut-Damascus Declaration." He adds, "What is of interest to me here is the Syrian streets that are still far from [emitting a] positive silence that condemns these as well as other arrests--even if by silence! It appears the Syrian street is still not concerned with what is going on in battles where an active segment of intellectuals and opponents are always falling victim." He concludes, "The Syrian streets are sleeping on all these cultures [of repression] that result in inwardness and fear." Link to full text in primary source.
Syria and its opposition inside and outside of it By Al Quds Al Arabi 6/8/2006 The daily writes, "Currently, the Syrian dossier is not at the top of the list of American priorities, and as long as Lebanon�s southern border and the Golan front are peaceful and as long as there is a minimum level of cooperation by the Syrian security in controlling the border and the infiltration of the combatants into Iraq, calm is required even if it is temporary." Al Quds Al Arabi adds, "What is worth noting is the fact that the Syrian opposition on the outside is trying, maybe out of personal conviction or for international insinuations, to fill the current media void." Nevertheless, "The American administration has not yet found a Syrian Chalabi or a Syrian Allawi. All those who have applied for this position so far have lacked the right qualifications, the political cunning skills, and the roots on the inside."Link to full text in primary source.
Iran plans a project to export oil to Europe through Syria
Syria seeking to buy weapons from Iran?
NYT As U.N. Inquiry Drags on, Syrians Ask if They Should Relax
Iran, Syria Sign Defense Agreement
Ha’aretz –Beirut to complain to UN about 'Israeli' hand in assassinations As-Safir newspaper: Mossad, Israeli naval commandos involved in attempted assassinations in Lebanon

Newsweek Palestinian Chaos Spreads Killers are on the loose in the Palestinian territories—and they're not just targeting Israeli enemies. Fears of 'all-out chaos' are growing.
Olmert must reach out to America's Orthodox
A fair exchange for Israel and Palestine In recent years, a proposal for an exchange of territories has come up frequently. The outgoing head of the National Security Council, Giora Eiland, referred to the idea as "a new paradigm."
The rise and fall of the Jewish people
KR Palestinian leaders struggle to end feud
BBC Hamas criticises EU aid proposals Yedioth Ahronoth Did IDF kill Gaza family?
Interesting Times: The Palestinian Gorbachev
New Republic The lessons of the Ashkenazim Is the gene for intelligence--if such a thing even exists--really more prevalent among Ashkenazi Jews? A careful examination of various hypotheses about an incendiary subject. by Steven Pinker
The time is right to use 1559 against Israel Daily Star
The Hamas truce has ended; now is everybody happy? By Khader Khader
Ha’aretz – Schiff The IDF on a tightrope
The Economist Israel and Palestine Hamas in a bind
BBC West Bank turmoil Normally tranquil Ramallah succumbs to Palestinian civil strife
UPI Analysis: Israeli-Palestinian clashes wane
Jerusalem Post Analysis: Fatah's change of focus They are no longer hiding their desire to topple the Hamas gov't and return to power.
Yedioth Ahronoth Peretz: PA has two heads
Bilateral ceasefire
Fatah, Hamas reach agreement on division of security forces
Boston Globe The struggle within
(By Anne Barnard) What is it that Palestinians really want -- and what is it that really divides them?
Plan poses challenge to Hamas
Yedioth Ahronoth PA factions close to deal?
KR Palestinian leaders struggle to end feud
DATELINE JERUSALEM: Unintended Outcomes, or How Unilateral Becomes BilateralBy gershom gorenbergMiddle East politics follows just one law — the Law of Unintended Consequences.

MERIA Iraq's Future: A Concept Paper Patrick Clawson (repeat)
New York Times The State of Iraq: An Update By NINA KAMP, MICHAEL O'HANLON and AMY UNIKEWICZ Over all, it is increasingly hard to describe Iraq as a glass half-full.
Guardian The battle for Cairo is as vital as the one for Baghdad If the US were serious about democracy in the Middle East, it would be slashing its funding for the Mubarak dictatorship, writes Jonathan Steele.
MEMRI Jun 16 IA# 281 - The New Iraqi Government—Central Themes and Key Figures
'Beginning of the end' for Zarqawi group Death yields trove of data on local insurgency · Militants 'aimed to foment war between US and Iran'
Newsweek Gaming Bush - Michael Hirsh, The administration is seen as weak, distracted and drained over Iraq—and foreign leaders from Libya to China to Iran are taking advantage of it.
UPI Analysis: Iraq's new war
UPI 'Beginning of the end' for Iraq al-Qaeda
Newsweek Is U.S. Ready for Wave of Iraq Vets? The yearly cost of unemployment benefits for disabled military personnel has ballooned to $3 billion. Is the U.S. prepared for the oncoming wave of Iraq war vets?
Analysis: Iraq's new war
Analysis: Zarqawi's death may alter nature of insurgency
Outside View: Reining in Baghdad's militias
Zarqawi sought US-Iran War...

Iran: Three Alternative Futures Kenneth M. Pollack (repeat)
EDM IRAN'S NUCLEAR DEMANDS: TOWARD A NEW ERA OF CONTAINMENT?
Washington Institute Facing Iran’s Challenge: Safeguarding Oil Exports from the Persian Gulf
BBC Iran welcomes nuclear proposals Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad calls incentives offered over its nuclear programme "a step forward".
Daily Telegraph Iran rejects nuclear deal The supreme leader of Iran has given the sternest rejection to date of the international package of incentives designed to coax Teheran into abandoning its nuclear ambitions

The Economist America's war for hearts and minds Mind your language
Inequality in America The rich, the poor and the growing gap between them

Thursday, June 15, 2006

BULLETIN No.126

Der SPIEGEL INTERVIEW WITH PALESTINIAN PRIME MINISTER ISMAIL HANIYA"We Want Peace and Stability"
Ha’aretz – Palestinian PM orders end to Qassam rocket fire
Poll: Pro-Israel sentiment among Europeans rises significantly
Editorial Restraint is needed
Benn Waiting for a clear plan At 10 Downing Street they realize the situation in the West Bank is far more complicated than it was in the Gaza Strip.
BBC West Bank turmoil Normally tranquil Ramallah succumbs to Palestinian civil strife Seaside horror Massacre or accident? Rival accounts of the Gaza beach deaths Jerusalem Post Hamas stops Kassams after its leaders are threatened
IsraPundit Did Israel make a mistake in abandoning its claim to the territories?
Living at Gaza's edge grows perilous, again The Israeli town of Sderot has been hit by dozens of Palestinian rockets over the past week.
Palestinians Mount Violent Protest Over Lack of Paychecks
Europe Plan to Aid Palestinians Stalls Over U.S. Salary Sanctions
Palestinians storm assemblyCivil servants have stormed the Palestinian parliament to demand the payment of four months' wages.
Daily Star Haniyya, Abbas move to ease tensions Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyya agreed in principle on Wednesday to integrate a government-backed unit into the security forces, in a move intended to end clashes that have fanned fears of civil war.

United Press International Syria: Declaration for democratic change Ten Syrian human rights organizations and independent activists have issued a declaration calling for democratic change and
In saying little, Brammertz said a lot By William Harris In his second report to the United Nations Security Council, Belgian prosecutor Serge Brammertz, chief of the UN commission investigating the murder of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, has provided a cautious and highly professional account of progress to date.
UN Hariri Assassination Probe Encouraging, US Envoy Says
Syria Comment
A Comparison Between The Christians Of Syria And Lebanon, By EHSANI2
The Syrian Opposition Beleaguered But Undaunted

Washington Post Iraq's Atomization By George F. Will, It's time to give the devil his due. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was, arguably, the most effective terrorist in history.
CSIS Securing Baghdad: Understanding and Covering the Operation -Anthony H. Cordesman
PBS President’s Baghdad Trip Sparks U.S. Iraq Policy Debate Brzezinski and Mead
Iraq: Next Moves for the Shia Stratfor.com - By George Friedman
UPI Unrest, facilities keep majors from Iraq More than three years after the fall of Saddam, major oil companies are staying out of Iraq, citing security and infrastructure problems.
Djerejian Iraq in the Late Autumn of Bush's Presidency
Washington Realist Iraq and Al-Qaeda After Zarqawi
Slate Baghdad and Boredom: Bush's brilliant new Iraq strategy.
John Dickerson
WSJ Seize the Day "Our objective in Iraq is victory." By L. PAUL BREMER
Daily Telegraph No 'early peace in Iraq' Back from his surprise visit to Baghdad, President Bush has called on Americans to be patient, saying that it was unrealistic to expect Iraq's troubles to end soon.
Washington Post Iraq Amnesty Plan May Cover Attacks On U.S. Military
Leader Also Backs Talks With Resistance

CSM Bush's approaching endgame with Iran
The Arab Gulf States in the Shadow of the Iranian Nuclear Challenge Stimson Center

Ehsan Ahrari The Clash of Civilization is Already Here
Middle East Quarterly Lorne Craner, Will U.S. Democratization Policy Work?Washington's promotion of democracy is irreversible

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

BULLETIN No.125

International Crisis Group Palestinians, Israel and the Quartet: Pulling Back From the Brink
Violence Erupts Between Fatah and Hamas
Security personnel of the Fatah faction went on a rampage after Hamas gunmen attacked the headquarters of the Fatah-dominated security forces.
Hearing the Palestinian silent majority
The Times It takes two The pressure is on Palestinians to be peaceful partners
IHT Abbas's gamble is doomed SHLOMO BEN-AMI There are serious flaws in Mahmoud Abbas's attempt to reconcile the solution of his domestic dilemmas with his drive to reactivate the peace process with Israel.
Fatah Officers Attack Hamas Sites in West Bank
Gunmen Shoot at Palestinian Parliament Building, Set Fire to Cabinet Headquarters
Hamas gunmen rampage through RamallahGunmen loyal to Fatah rampaged through the West Bank city of Ramallah, shooting up parliament and torching the prime minister’s office in a worsening power struggle with the ruling Hamas movement.
Ha’aretz – Haniyeh advisor says attacks on Israel do not serve Hamas
CFR Kipper: Palestinian Economic Desperation May Radicalize Population
Gaza’s Anger on High Boil
BBC Funding crisis Our Palestinian panel discusses financial and political problems
KR Israeli-Palestinian conflict threatens to explodeYedioth AhronothUnethical, impractical and immoral Yossi Beilin
'Hurting civilians inevitable'
Jerusalem Post Israel does not need Palestinian recognition By YEHUDA AVNER Menachem Begin did everything he could to take the "right to exist" off the agenda.
Daily Star Palestine's woes dictate security reform By Rami G. Khouri
Fatah or Hamas, not much of adifference to the Israelis By Danny Rubinstein
American Conservative Prophets in Their Own Land By Michael C. Desch Analyzing the smear campaign against scholars who question U.S. policy toward Israel
Guardian Blair refuses to back Olmert plan British PM refuses to endorse partial withdrawal from West Bank.
Hamas blamed for beach deaths· Israeli military says landmine exploded after shelling · Army 'trying to protect Olmert'
Honest Tony, peace broker John Hilary Rolling out the red carpet for Ehud Olmert is another low in Britain's and Blair's history of Middle East meddling.Leader: Poverty of unilateralism
Olmert's land grab Ewen MacAskill Tony Blair has resisted the Israeli prime minister's plans for a partial withdrawal from the West Bank, but said the status quo is not an option.
Ha’aretz - Think now before it's too late
Olmert: I won't divide Jerusalem or give away Temple Mount
PM drafting alternative to convergence plan Israel to propose creation of Palestinian state with provisional borders in Gaza plus 90% of W. Bank
Yedioth Ahronoth Israel-Azerbaijan strategic alliance in cards?
Jerusalem Post Report: Chances slim that IDF shell killed Gazans on beach
The Region: A disturbing poll By BARRY RUBIN Palestinians seem to agree with Hamas's refusal to accept Israel.
Daily Star Fatah and Hamas have no right to endanger their people's struggle
Do we actually need the Palestinian Authority? By Christian Berger
AEI Event A West Bank-Jordan Alliance?
Stratfor Geopolitical Diary: Palestinian Fault Lines
Foreign Policy The War over Israel’s Influence Political scientists John J. Mearsheimer and Stephen M. Walt sparked a firestorm when they raised questions about the power the Israel lobby wields over U.S. foreign policy. Now, in an exclusive FP Roundtable, they face off with four distinguished experts of the Middle East over whether the influence of the Israel lobby is ordinary or extraordinary. July/August 2006

Der SPIEGEL INTERVIEW WITH SAAD AL- HARIRI "Assad is Responsible"
Syria Comment
A Dangerous June Brings Relief to Damascus
Terror in Syria
Khaddam and the Opposition
Brammertz Report is a Bust: Syrians Relieved
Ghadry's Reform Party of Syria Slams Bayanouni and Khaddam
Evening Bulletin Report: Syria Used As Training Base For Al Qaida The authoritative Middle East News Line notes that a US Defense Department report indicates that al-Qaida and other insurgency groups have used Syria
Daily Star Fourth report of the UN's official Hariri assassination probe to different investigation projects. 98. Syria is required to cooperate fully with the Commission.
Syrian Defence Minister begins Iran visit
Refugees: For Iraqis, Exodus to Syria and Jordan Continues
Analysis: Hariri slay probe progress
Report: Israeli spy network in Lebanon uncovered

Welcome to the Bazaar By WARREN CHRISTOPHER The welcome recent announcement that the U.S. is willing to join face-to-face talks with Iran rekindled memories of my own experiences as chief negotiator in the Iranian hostage crisis.
IHT Toward the grand bargain JAMES DOBBINS Nothing short of a grand bargain between Washington and Tehran should be acceptable.
Editorial Bush's approaching endgame with Iran

National Review Apologizing for Iraq By John Derbyshire
WSJ U.S. Iran Strategy Has Familiar Ring The Bush administration's approach to Iran has come to look like the U.S.'s North Korea stance. China and Russia are balking at insisting Iran halt nuclear enrichment.
Foreign Affairs What to Do in Iraq: A Roundtable Larry Diamond, James Dobbins, Chaim Kaufmann, Leslie Gelb
NYT New York Times White House Hones a Strategy for Post-Zarqawi Era
Iraq: The Sunnis Wait for Political Reciprocity Stratfor
Zarqawi Is Dead. What Now? The administration must seize this rare chance to even the score. By BRET STEPHENS
What Zarqawi's Death Means for Iraq Anthony Cordesman REPORT COMMENTARY
ASAM - Serhat Erkmen Zarkavi’nin Öldürülmesinin Etkileri ve Sonuçları
Ehsan Ahrari America’s Latest “New” Iraq Strategy
Iran, Iraq: The Arab States Make Their Voices Heard Stratfor
Blinded by Haditha
By SARAH SEWALL To learn from what happened in Haditha, Iraq, is to learn to notice not just the alleged massacres but the civilian deaths that for too much of this war have remained invisible.
Asia Times Whipping al-Qaeda into line in Iraq Al-Qaeda in Iraq has named a new leader to replace Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Or has it? Abu Hamza al-Muhajir's name does not register in any of al-Qaeda's previous statements, and terrorism experts have not heard of him. Most likely the name is a pseudonym. Sami Moubayed looks at likely candidates, and at the opportunity Osama bin Laden now has to reimpose his authority on the insurgency, which was spinning out of his control under the ruthlessly stubborn Zarqawi.
Christian Science Monitor Debate over Iraq war back in Washington The US House is set to argue the future of the Iraq war – voters' No. 1 issue.

Financial Times COMMENT: How Bush can bring hope to Tehran and Tel Aviv By Geoffrey Aronson The pieces necessary for the construction of a regional security system stretching from Tehran to Tel Aviv are moving into place, writes Geoffrey Aronson of the Foundation for Middle East Peace
Boston Globe Editorial A gathering Mideast storm
A dangerous new phase of violence is looming in the Mideast.

Monday, June 12, 2006

BULLETIN No.124

New York Times New York Times Hamas Declares It Will Resume Attacking Israel The declaration came after the deaths of at least seven Palestinian civilians on a Gaza beach from an apparently errant Israeli artillery shell.
Ha’aretz – 'Haniyeh may be targeted if Hamas resumes terror'
BBC Border check Olmert seeks UK blessing for Israel to decide its own borders
Olmert Says 'Deep Sorrow' at Beach Deaths, Launches Air Strike on Gaza
Yedioth Ahronoth What about Iran? Not all criticism of Israel is anti-Semitic. But some is
Jerusalem Post Hamas likely to increase violence, expert says
Daily Star For Egypt and Israel, the paradoxes of dealing with Palestine By Efraim Inbar
The Region: A disturbing poll Barry Rubin
Daily Telegraph Hamas ends truce The Middle East is on the brink of renewed conflict after Hamas said it was ending its ceasefire after seven Palestinian civilians, including three children, were killed by Israeli artillery while enjoying a picnic.
Editorial Palestinian Peace Politics We hope the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, can succeed in forcing Hamas to endorse a two-state solution that would acknowledge Israel's pre-1967 borders.
Olmert dismisses PA referendum as 'internal game'
Full transcript of interview with Ehud Olmert
The Observer Hamas fury over poll to recognise state of IsraelPalestinian president's referendum plan 'a coup' says militant government, as Gaza mourns the tragic killing of picnicking family by Israeli shells.
BBC Hamas claims Israel rocket attack Hamas says it has fired rockets into Israel for the first time since a truce last year after a blast kills Gaza civilians.
Independent Olmert rejects Abbas plan to boost negotiations The Israeli Prime Minister has dismissed as "meaningless" the referendum that the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, plans to call today and rejects the document that Palestinians will vote on as a basis for negotiations.
Ehud Olmert: 'I can't afford to make mistakes'
Christian Science Monitor In Gaza, Palestinians face two-front battle Hamas has denounced President Abbas's referendum and ended its cease-fire with Israel.
Hamas Vows to Block Vote on Proposed State
Al-Qaeda opposes Palestinian vote
Al-Qaeda deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahiri urges Palestinians to reject a vote on a future state.
Under the Veil of Ideology: The Israeli-Iranian Strategic RivalryMiddle East Report Online
Jerusalem Post Why do we insult our friends? By DAVID KIMCHE A leading Jordanian asked me: "Why do you Israelis take us Jordanians for granted?"
Gaza beach deaths hit slim hopes of progress
Date Set for Vote on Palestinian State
Hamas Rivals Oppose Abbas's Timing
An article on why Americans subsidized the Israeli settlers, and why we should pay to relocate them.
Daily Star The dreaded blowback from a Palestinian civil war By Abdel Monem Said Aly

SyriaComment Ghadry's Reform Party of Syria Slams Bayanouni and Khaddam
Brammertz Report is a Bust: Syrians Relieved
San Diego Union Tribune Assad's record mixed after six years ruling Syria When Bashar al-Assad succeeded his late father as president of Syria six years ago
Syrian exile fears hit squad The leader of Syria's exiled opposition movement has accused the country's government of ordering foreign hit squads to assassinate him.
Guardian Where comment is not free bloggers' rights. Before he became president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad was president of the Syrian Computer Society.
Counterterrorism Blog Syria behind a plot to destabilize Qatar- Syria wanted to take revenge on Qatar because of its vote at the UN for resolution 1680 which calls for a final drawing of the borders between Syria and
Washington Post Probe of Hariri Assassination to Continue The report from Belgian prosecutor Serge Brammertz's investigators will note that Syria _ which had been accused of obstructing the probe _ has cooperated
Ha’aretz – Diplomats say Hariri probe will ask for another year to do its work
Lebanese Leader's Killing Probably a Suicide Bombing, U.N. Finds

MERIA Iraq's Future: A Concept Paper Patrick Clawson
Iran: Three Alternative Futures Kenneth M. Pollack
How To Exploit The Opening - Fareed Zakaria, More troops in Baghdad is a good idea, but true security will need more than firepowerNewsweek
New York Times Most Wanted Now: War-Weary Sunnis
By JOHN F. BURNS
Washington Post Iraq War 'Drifting Over Lebanon' In political and social life, veterans of jihads inspire climate of militancy in neighboring nations.
Washington Institute Zarqawi’s ‘Total War’ on Iraqi Shiites Exposes a Divide among Sunni Jihadists
Iraq War Bill Deletes US Military Base Prohibition
Washington Post Zarqawi's Existence Aided U.S. Arguments
Weekly Standard No Posthumous Victory for Zarqawi Don't let him achieve in death what he failed to do in life. by William Kristol
Zarqawi's Death Good. Iraq War Bad - Eleanor Clift, Newsweek
Death of a Monster The end of Abu Musab Zarqawi. by Dan Darling
Zarqawi: A BogeymanMade by the US by Brendan O'Neill
Daily Star The birth and death of the Zarqawi phenomenon By Rami G. Khouri
Iraq will need to ensure Zarqawi's vision of sectarian strife dies with him

Who is Behind Minorities Uprising(Iran)?
MERIA Putin and Russia's Middle Eastern Policy

Friday, June 09, 2006

BULLETIN No.123

Ha’aretz – ANALYSIS: Al-Zarqawi's death more important than bin Laden's Zarqawi's assassination is operationally significant because he is responsible for the most casualties
Marcus Waiting for the white smoke Olmert needs a year to prepare the infrastructure for withdrawal. He needs to take advantage of the window of opportunity offered by Bush?s remaining two and a half years in office.
Palestinian unity means Hamas must deal with Israel By Ghassan Rubeiz Little is known about a community of several thousand Palestinian political prisoners being held in Israeli jails. These prisoners follow the news and discuss politics. A West Bank commentator, Daoud Kuttab, has explained that political prisoners are highly esteemed by Palestinian society. They do not have to prove their patriotism.
Schiff It won't be a regular victory Israel, which defeated the Palestine Liberation Organization in Lebanon, also had problems when it coped with a smaller force there − that of Hezbollah.
Pan-Palestinian meeting to be held in Syria on reforming PLO
Jerusalem Post Analysis: The death of Terror Inc.'s CEO By HERB KEINONAbu Musab al-Zarqawi's death will not destroy al-Qaida, but it will probably slow it down.
Prospect Talking to Hamas
Alastair Crooke Hamas official Osama Hamdan explains how US pressure is making it hard to govern
UPI Analysis: A West Bank alliance? Former Jordanian and Palestinian officials are pushing for greater economic and security cooperation between the two Arab nations, even noting the distant ...
Daily Star Palestinian unity means Hamas must deal with Israel By Ghassan Rubeiz
Bold political gambit from Abbas A two-state solution is implicit in a referendum that the Palestinian leader is likely to promote Saturday.
An opening for Hamas - and for Israel URI DROMI Israel should grab the opportunity to help Mahmoud Abbas carry the day with his referendum proposal for the Palestinian people.
Daily Star Olmert vows to attempt peace talks with Palestinians Israeli Premier Ehud Olmert told Jordan's King Abdullah II Thursday he would do his utmost to restart peace talks with the Palestinians amid concern that chaos in Palestinian areas could destabilize the kingdom.

Al-Ahram Terror within Syria In the gun-battle that ensued, one member of Syria's security forces was killed along with a guard at Syrian Television. Two others were wounded.
Report: CIA used Syria for 'outsourcing of torture'...
Hezbollah's disarmament dilemma MICHAEL YOUNG Hezbollah is caught between conflicting loyalties - to Lebanon on one hand, and to Iran and Syria on the other.

Washington Institute Deterring and Containing Iran: A Near-Inevitable Task Patrick Clawson’s June 8, 2006, testimony before the House Armed Services Committee.
Will America attack?
Philip Gordon Despite the Iraq precedent, the odds are against a US attack on Iran any time soon
Diplomacy is not enough
Michael Rubin Engagement alone will not solve the crisis. The west must invest in Iranian civil society and support dissidents
Sanctions, not bombing
Nazenin Ansari Attacking Iran will merely weaken the forces in the country opposed to the regime. But sanctions are a different matter
From the Tehran street
Esther Herman What does the man on the Tehran omnibus think about his country's nuclear ambitions?
Iran's Nuclear Scorpion - Victor Davis Hanson, RealClearPolitics
Asia Times The oil weapon and Iran A lot of loose talk surrounds the use of the "oil weapon" in any confrontation with Iran. But there are risks for both sides should oil be dragged into an imbroglio. If the West boycotts Iran, prices would spike, hurting the global economy. But petroleum reserves would help the West ride out any move by Tehran to take its oil off the market. - Peter Kiernan
Ha’aretz – ANALYSIS: Al-Zarqawi's death more important than bin Laden's
Washington Post How U.S. Forces Found Iraq's Most-Wanted Man By Jonathan Finer, To kill Zarqawi, U.S. forces located his spiritual adviser and tracked the man relentlessly for many weeks.
Los Angeles Times Zarqawi Hunt 'Hit Gold' With Qaeda Insider's Tip
Washington Institute The Death of Zarqawi: Organizational and Operational Implications for the Insurgency
Heritage Foundation Getting Zarqawi: One Win in Long War by James Jay Carafano,
The Death of Zarqawi: A Major Victory in the War on Terrorism by Nile Gardiner Ph.D.
Christian Science Monitor A major blow to the insurgency in Iraq Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, chief of Al Qaeda in Iraq, died in a US attack Wednesday.
Terrorism and Security: Zarqawi's death may not reduce violence
A long trail to finding Zarqawi
Weeks of gathering a broad range of intelligence led to the successful strike.
After success, next US steps?
Furthering Iraqis' faith in their own government is vital, analysts say.
Editorial Zarqawi's demise is a psychological boost
Editorial Post-Zarqawi tasks left in Iraq
UPI Eye on Iraq: Why Maliki is failing
Iraq: Al-Zarqawi --The Sunnis Deliver?Stratfor
Iraq: The Implications of Al-Zarqawi's Death
Guardian US kills Iraq target number one Al-Qaida leader Zarqawi dead. Zarqawi's last hiding placeBedouin who became a butcherSerious tone hides Bush's gleeObituary: Abu Musab al-Zarqawi
Only a provocateur Jonathan Steele: Zarqawi's death will not halt the cycle of violence set in motion by the occupation of Iraq
Leader Death of a fanatic In the unrelenting viciousness of the war in Iraq, he stood out for his sheer barbarity and seemed to set new standards of cruelty in the sectarian war he promoted.
Zarqawi: don't celebrate too soon Brian Whitaker Rather than being a blow against al-Qaida, the death of its leader in Iraq could relieve the terror group of a problem and give it a martyr.
Another cul-de-sac in Iraq
Dilip Hiro Iraq's occupiers are hailing Zarqawi's killing as a turning point in the insurgency. But we've been here before.
Analysis: Zarqawi's death changes Iraq war
Knight-Ridder Zarqawi's death not expected to have major impact on Iraq
Zarqawi’s ‘Total War’ on Iraqi Shiites Exposes a Divide among Sunni Jihadists Before his death in a U.S. airstrike June 8, Iraq’s terrorist mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi had begun alienating himself from other elements of the Sunni Arab insurgency, and even from al-Qaeda itself, with his exceptionally barbarous attacks on Shiite civilians.
Boston Globe A turning point in Iraq? (By Ahmed Hashim)
DEBKAfile Exclusive: Al Qaeda has already named Abdallah Bin Rashid al Baghdadi, head of its shura council in Iraq, as Abu Musab al Zarqawi’s successor More...
The Times Leader A fitting end The death of al-Zarqawi should be a turning point for Iraq
The strongest impact of al-Zarqawi's death will be felt in America, not Iraq Gerard BakerSome hysterical opponents of the Iraq war liked to suggest that al-Zarqawi did not really exist
Brick by brick, we will build unityNouri Al-Maliki The Prime Minister of Iraq says al-Zarqawi's demise will aid moves towards reconciliation
After Zarqawi Now's the time to secure Baghdad.
Slate A Window of Opportunity: What happens now that Zarqawi's dead?
Fred Kaplan
CSIS Zarqawi’s Death: Temporary "Victory" or Lasting Impact-Anthony H. Cordesman
Jerusalem Post Analysis: The death of Terror Inc.'s CEO By HERB KEINON Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's death will not destroy al-Qaida, but it will probably slow it down.
Who's on Deck?: What Zarqawi's death means for the insurgency.
Daniel Byman
New York Times Zarqawi's Life After Death By DANIEL BENJAMIN and STEVEN SIMON The decapitation of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's terrorist network may indeed diminish its effectiveness, but we should not get our hopes too high.
Washington Post Our Strategy for a Democratic Iraq By Nouri al-Maliki
Prospect War and democracy Robert Cooper Tony Blair's former foreign affairs adviser considers the ambiguous lessons of the Iraq war
COMMENT: Chirac and Blair reach the end of the road from Suez to Iraq By Philip Stephens Historians will look back on Suez and Iraq as bookends for an era in which Britain and France competed to hold on to their world roles

Overselling Terror by Robert Parry
FPIF The Neocons Are Talking War
Washington Times A non-negotiable conflict?
By R. Emmett Tyrrell Jr. According to the Bush Doctrine, we will send our military against any group that practices terror and any government that harbors terrorists.
The New Global Arabism Parag Khanna
Daily Star Arab security services and the crisis in democratic change By Amr Hamzawy

Thursday, June 08, 2006

BULLETIN No.122

COMMENT AND ANALYSIS: The issue is not whether Hamas recognises Israel By Henry Siegman Forty years after the 1967 war, the politically consequential question is whether Israel recognises a Palestinian right to statehood, not the reverse, writes Henry Siegman of the US’s Council on Foreign Relations
Ha’aretz – On Jordan trip, PM to allay King's pullout concerns
Eiland has no partner Until a week ago, he headed the National Security Council, and during his military career, he was head of both the Planning and the Operations directorates of ...
Jerusalem Post Analysis: King Abdullah's woes
BBC 'Talks' on direct Palestinian aid A US envoy says Washington and the EU are seeking ways to aid Palestinians, bypassing Hamas.
MEMRI Jun 08 SD# 1182 - Abu Mazen: We Want a State Within the 1967 Borders; I Will Put the National Accord Document to a Referendum
Forward MOSHE YAALON: As Islamists Grow Confident, It's Time for the West To Stand Firm
Al Hayat The Prisoner's Document, Dialogue and Referendum
Bitterlemons Mubarak's game by Efraim Inbar
Gaza: Hamas Agrees to Withdraw Security Force
Forward Bush Overture To Iran Splits Israel, Neocons

Washington Times The Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003: Two Years On By David Schenker
MEMRI Jun 07 IA# 280 - A Syrian Government Media Campaign Against 'Honor Killings'
Syria Comment
As Dictatorships fall, the likely winners are................., By EHSANI2
Voice of America US Lawmakers Impatient With Syria By Dan Robinson. US lawmakers are expressing impatience their with Syria's continuing support for terrorist groups, as well as its close links with Iran.
Daily Star Erdogan implores Siniora to find Hariri's killers Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan lent support to visitng Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora in Ankara on Wednesday, stressing the importance of stability and security for his guest's country and for the entire Middle East. At a joint news conference with Siniora, Erdogan urged Lebanon to shed light on the 2005.

Facing Iran’s Challenge: Safeguarding Oil Exports from the Persian Gulf Simon Henderson
Will America Attack Iran? by Philip H. Gordon, The American Prospect Online (June 2006)
Lessons From Israel's 1981 Raid on Iraq - Barry Rubin, New York Post
York Times Iraqi Ties to Iran Create New Risks for Washington As the U.S. seeks to stabilize Iraq and contain Iran, it must carefully navigate the relationship between the countries

UPI Perils of Iraq Partition By DAVID ISENBERG
Middle East Policy Council Transcript: Exit from Iraq?
Der Spiegel INTERVIEW WITH US AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ "The Next Six Months Will Be Critical"
Editorial A Power Vacuum in Iraq It will take more than gestures for Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki's government to have a real chance of coming to grips with Iraq's overwhelming problems and sectarian divisions.
Washington Post Can We Get Iraq Moving Again? By Jim Hoagland, The United States cannot afford to leave Iraq now, President Bush argues forcefully. But the real question is whether the United States can afford to stay in Iraq if the administration continues to squander the military, financial and political resources it promised to bring to bear.
Analysis: Why Iraq's unity government is failing
CSM It's time to get serious about US troop withdrawal Before things get worse in Iraq, the US needs to find a rapid way to withdraw. By Helena Cobban

Stratfor Al Qaeda: The Next Phase of Evolution?
Brookings Institute NATO's Growing Role in the Greater Middle East By Philip Gordon