Latest Articles about Middle East
Al-Qaeda & the Muslim Brotherhood: United by Strategy, Divided by Tactics
For many years, Ayman al-Zawahiri has denounced Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood for what he claims is the misguided direction they have taken political Islam. In a recent statement, al-Zawahiri renewed his criticism of the Ikhwan al-Muslimun ("Muslim Brotherhood") for their participation in Egypt's parliamentary elections. The... MORE
GAZPROM BROADENS, DEEPENS INROADS INTO EUROPEAN UNION’S INTERNAL MARKETS, TRANSPORT SYSTEMS
Even as some European Union authorities in Brussels attempt to formulate a common EU energy policy, major European players seem to be vying for bilateral deals with Gazprom that could lock their countries into long-term dependence before any common policy is in place. On March... MORE
QUARRELS IN THE GOVERNMENT FUELLED BY INFLATION AND INTRIGUE
The last two weeks produced many unusually loud and disagreeable exchanges in the Russian government. Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov even questioned the "professional competence" of his ministers to perform their duties. The main topic in these bureaucratic dramas played in front of TV cameras was... MORE
RUSSIA PLEDGES TO UPHOLD GLOBAL ENERGY SECURITY
Russia has reiterated its earlier pledges to safeguard global energy security, putting the issue at the top of the agenda while holding the G-8 presidency this year. However, some of Russia's proposed solutions have not exactly worked when they were tried in resource-rich Central Asia.... MORE
RUSSIAN REACTION TO MILOSEVIC’S DEATH REVEALS RIFT BETWEEN KREMLIN AND THE WEST
The controversy over the death of former Yugoslav strongman Slobodan Milosevic laid bare the deep-seated uneasiness in relations between Russia and the West. The Kremlin appears bent on taking advantage of Milosevic's demise in the same way it tried to make use of his actions... MORE
Al-Qaeda’s Tactical Doctrine for the Long War
While the February 28 issue of Terrorism Focus outlined al-Qaeda's strategic doctrine for insurgency, it is worth examining how al-Qaeda believes its doctrine should be applied at the tactical level. As was the case for strategic doctrine, the best place to find a discussion of... MORE
The Iraqi Media’s Response to Recent Sectarian Tension in Iraq
A cartoon appearing in the al-Sabah daily on March 2 highlights an increasingly prominent feature of Iraq's post-Saddam media. Depicting the malign hand of a writer (with serpent like fingers) using Iraqi blood as ink, the cartoon tries to expose the sectarian affiliations and motives... MORE
Danish Cartoons Focus the Jihadi Lens on History
As the furor in the Islamic world over the Danish cartoon crisis recedes, commentaries are turning more reflective and are proving to be a fascinating window onto the conceptual currents in the jihadi mindset. The theme of these more pensive essays is "analyzing" the Western... MORE
RUSSIA VIEWS MONGOLIA AS GATEWAY TO CHINA
Russian banks have announced plans to fund a major refinery project in Mongolia. The oil refinery will not only process Siberian crude, but it is also designed to cater to the needs of the Chinese market. A group of Russian and Czech banks have signed... MORE
MOSCOW COUNTS THE PROS AND CONS OF “SELECTIVE COOPERATION”
Until very recently the Kremlin dismissed the possibility that Washington might seriously reevaluate the format and style of its relations with Russia. At his extended press conference on January 31, Russian President Vladimir Putin ridiculed the "adversaries" who expressed doubt about Russia's place in the... MORE