Tag Archives: Israel

The Middle East Sending Reminders

February 6, 2023 At the end of January Secretary of State Blinken visited Egypt where he met with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and President El-Sisi. His remarks there were full of praise for Egypt and the strategic partnership between the … Continue reading

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“Retreat” or “Normalization of Relations”?

August 25, 2022 In the military context, the word “retreat” means “the usually forced withdrawal of troops from an enemy or from an advanced position”. In a broader context, it is defined as “an act or process of withdrawing especially … Continue reading

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President Biden’s Middle East Trip

July 18, 2022 President Biden’s trip to the Middle East took place against the background of Arab-Israeli disenchantment with the Obama White House, the Netanyahu-Trump relationship, the uncertain future of the Iran nuclear deal, the far-reaching consequences of the war … Continue reading

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Turkey’s Middle East Policy Coming Full Circle

December 6, 2021 The so-called “Friends of Syria Group”, now history, held its first meeting in Tunis on February 24, 2012.  On April 1, 2012, it met for the second time in Istanbul. Later that month in 2012, Turkey’s Foreign … Continue reading

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Spy Games Between Israel and Turkey

November  22, 2021 In late October Turkish news outlets reported that fifteen individuals suspected of spying for Israel were arrested as part of a security operation. Reportedly, the suspects were spying on senior Hamas officials based in Turkey who were … Continue reading

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The Gaza Cease-fire

May 24, 2021 With the Egyptian-brokered cease-fire taking hold last Friday, the 11-day Gaza conflict is hopefully over. By and large, this latest episode also conformed to the pattern of Gaza confrontations. There were clashes at Jerusalem’s holy sites; Israel … Continue reading

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Gaza Violence (2)

May 17, 2021 In my last post I tried to highlight the roller-coaster pattern of Israeli-Palestinian violence. In his New York Times article of May 14, titled “Arab World Condemns Israeli Violence but Takes Little Action”, Eric Erlanger started off … Continue reading

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Gaza Violence

May 13, 2021 Palestinians remain more than frustrated with the status quo and in the absence of any progress towards the two-state solution their discontent usually hits the surface in the form of some violence.  And whenever there is violence, … Continue reading

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Iran Nuclear Deal: A Tough Path Ahead

Co-authored with Yusuf Buluc (*) February 1, 2021 From the very beginning of his presidency Mr. Trump’s principal foreign policy target was the Iran nuclear deal, described by many as his predecessor’s “signature achievement”. Thus, the US announced its withdrawal … Continue reading

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A Turning Point in Washington

January 20, 2021 With inauguration safely behind, President Biden would now start addressing America’s polarization, Covid-19, and a wrecked foreign policy. He has a far heavier agenda than many of his predecessors. Among his major tasks in the international arena … Continue reading

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