Latest Articles about Middle East
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
RUSSIA POISED FOR BOLD INROADS INTO WEST’S ENERGY SUPPLY SYSTEMS
On March 10-11, Russian President Vladimir Putin paid what he characterized as an "historic" visit to Algeria. The trip was the first by a Kremlin leader since the Soviet heads of state and government, Nikolai Podgorny and Alexei Kosygin, visited in 1969 and 1971, respectively,... MORE
Islamists Stay Clear of Terrorism in Oman
A sudden crackdown and arrest of "Islamists" in 2004-05 raised fears about Oman becoming entangled in the vicious cycle of terrorism, much like several other countries in the Persian Gulf region. The trial of the "saboteurs"—who attempted to challenge the status quo like in 1994—and... MORE
Al-Qaeda Employs Assassination Strategy in Karachi
Despite early questions, a suicide car bomb attack occurring just one block away from the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, killing a U.S. diplomat, his Pakistani driver, a Pakistani Ranger, and injuring scores more, has all the markings of a sophisticated al-Qaeda operation. The attack... MORE
Salafi-Jihadists in Jordan: From Prison Riots to Suicide Operation Cells
A Jordanian security source indicated that the General Intelligence Department (Mukhbarat) was able to foil a number of terrorist attacks in Jordan since the beginning of 2005. This was part of the announcement that Jordanian security forces were able to thwart a suicide operation targeting... MORE