Latest Articles about Middle East
Florida African-American Group Inspired by al-Qaeda Ideology
On June 23, seven members of the obscure Seas of David group were arrested by federal and local security officials in a low-income housing project in the Liberty City section of Miami and in Atlanta. The arrests were part of a four month operation and... MORE
EVERYTHING READY FOR A CONTENT-FREE G-8 SUMMIT
The final countdown to the 2006 G-8 summit has begun. After months of heated debates, miles of memos, and tons of paperwork, after many rounds of preparatory talks among shrewd “sherpas” and many moments of hesitation about whether to boycott the event or just skip... MORE
SIBERIA HOSTS MAJOR MILITARY EXERCISE, BUT KOREAN MISSILE TESTS SUGGEST FLAWED PLANNING
Russia's Siberian military district held major war games this summer, officially to explore avenues for military reform as well as better ways to confront terrorism. However, the simultaneous North Korean missile tests provided a stark reminder that Russia’s eastern region could face far graver challenges... MORE
Bin Laden Seizes Opportunities in his June and July Speeches
Osama bin Laden's speeches on June 30 and July 1 are notable because they portray his confidence and focus, command of the al-Qaeda organization and steady application of a strategy that seeks to prompt U.S. actions that spread U.S. military and intelligence forces in a... MORE
Statement to the Saudi Mujahideen Summons Iraq Returnees
On June 30, a media organization called al-Basha'ir (The Glad Tidings) issued a statement on the Lahdud forum (https://www.la7odood.com/vb) entitled, "who we are, what we want and what our relation is to al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula." Such media services have arisen in other arenas... MORE
RUSSIA TURNS THE OTHER CHEEK ON NORTH KOREAN MISSILE LAUNCH
Moscow’s muted reaction to North Korea’s missile launches on July 4 comes as somewhat of a surprise. North Korea endangered Russian commercial vessels, the Russian Navy in the Sea of Japan, and Russian citizens in the Far East. Its calm response to the missile tests... MORE
GAZPROM EYES CENTRAL ASIA IN ITS DRIVE TOWARD “GLOBAL MARKET LEADERSHIP”
Russia's natural gas giant Gazprom has plans to expand to Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Iran in pursuit of “global market leadership,” Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller announced at the company's annual shareholders meeting on June 30. Gazprom is exploring hydrocarbon reserves in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and... MORE
WHAT “HOLY ALLIANCE” DOES PUTIN WANT TO AVOID?
Kidnappings and executions in war-torn Iraq are hardly a novelty, but last month Moscow had its first brush with the problem. On June 3, one Russian diplomat was shot dead and four others kidnapped; on June 19, the Mujahideen Shura Council, a grouping linked to... MORE
GAZPROM’S SEGP PROJECT, ROSUKRENERGO CONFLICT WITH EU PRIORITIES IN HUNGARY
One day before U.S. President George W. Bush’s recent visit to Hungary, that country’s Economics Minister Janos Koka and Gazprom chairman Alexei Miller signed on June 21 non-binding agreement that could open the way for Gazprom’s expansion via Hungary deeper into European Union territory. Hungarian... MORE
RUSSIA’S EVOLVING CHECHNYA STRATEGY: MANAGED NORMALITY
Russia’s current campaign strategy in Chechnya relies on security agencies and the local government to the region as having a normal, controlled security environment. Russian security structures operating in Chechnya continue to find large weapons caches, making much of the attending publicity to show that... MORE