Archives for July, 2014

French defense minister sees progress against Mali terrorism

In an interview with Al-Monitor, French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian speaks about French involvement in Mali and the Central African Republic.

North Africa

Hebron branch of rogue Hamas wing has dark history

The abduction and killing of the three Israeli students is not the first terrorist incident associated with the Hebron-based group.

Palestine

Iraq's Assyrian Christians fear ISIS threat to heritage

Assyrian Christian community leaders tell Al-Monitor that the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) has not yet destroyed ancient Assyrian and Christian artifacts in Mosul.

Iraq

Netanyahu silent on right-wing calls to avenge youths

Unlike former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who called for restraint after the Dolphinarium terror attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not silenced his far-right ministers who are calling to avenge the murder of the three youths.

Palestine

Palestinian unity may not survive fallout from Israeli youth murders

Both the Palestinian Authority and Hamas leaders are warning the reconciliation deal might collapse, as pressure from Israel mounts after the death of three Israeli teen settlers.

Palestine

Let's not follow 'Syria model' in Iraq

The United States should have backed the Free Syrian Army against the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) in Syria; we need to learn from the recent past.

Iraq

Erdogan’s path of 'illiberal democracy'

To understand where Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is taking Turkey, look to Latin America.

Turkey

Netanyahu's 'diplomatic solution' another dead end

Denying the occupation to be the cause of the triple kidnapping-murder, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blames the dismantling of the Sykes-Picot Middle East and suggests more self-imposed isolation.

Palestine

The false 'Awakening' model to deal with ISIS in Iraq

Given past experiences, the Iraqi government will likely face difficulties persuading armed Sunni groups to separate from the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).

Iraq

Hamas, Islamic Jihad warn Israel about retaliation in Gaza

Leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad are expressing confidence in the event of an all-out Israeli attack, while also exercising restraint to prevent a military escalation.

Palestine

Iran negotiator: Nuclear program limits will have 'time frame'

As Iran and the UN Security Council meet for the last round of nuclear talks, negotiators from Iran say that the final agreement will be temporary.

Iran

Erdogan declares his presidential candidacy

The Justice and Development Party (AKP) announced Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as its candidate in the first presidential election by public vote.

Turkey

Druze Knesset member slams Arab leaders as 'weak'

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Druze Knesset member Hamad Amar expresses his concern: ''I'm worried that radicalization among the Sunnis in the Middle East will penetrate the Israeli Arab community.''

Palestine

Ya'alon deliberately provokes Palestinians with 'memorial settlement'

The Israeli defense minister’s proposal of a new settlement in the memory of the murdered teens is another step in Israel’s plan to undermine the new Palestinian national unity government.

Palestine

New Saudi spy chief confronts 'Islamic State'

Among the top priorities for Khaled bin Bandar bin Abdul Aziz, the new chief of Saudi General Intelligence, will be to beat back the challenge of the "Islamic State" in Iraq and Syria.

Saudi Arabia

Netanyahu shows restraint in response to murders

The moderate reaction of Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, espousing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cautious move, might signal Israel’s reluctance to embark on a large-scale military operation in Gaza, following the discovery of the bodies of the three kidnapped youths.

Palestine