Latest Articles about Middle East
The Egyptian Media’s Response to the Latest al-Qaeda Statements
Egypt’s prominent newspapers and magazines had a somewhat tepid response to recent statements made by al-Qaeda leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri. Media commentary did not support statements made by bin Laden and al-Zawahiri, but was critical of U.S. counter-terrorism efforts. Al-Qaeda’s statements were... MORE
Anbar Tribesmen Take on al-Zarqawi
A report by al-Hayat on January 26 that “Tribal Popular Committees” have been formed in Ramadi (capital of Anbar province) to hunt down Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and his followers, “for the purpose of expelling them from the Iraqi border to Syria,” does not come as... MORE
Internet Mujahideen Refine Electronic Warfare Tactics
The recently declassified document called “Information Operations Roadmap,” which highlights how the U.S. military is learning to “fight the net,” has drawn much interest from Western commentators. There is concern over the ambitions to exercise control over the internet expressed in the document. The October... MORE
RUSSIA REGISTERS GROWTH IN TRADE WITH CHINA, BUT INCREASE DUE TO HIGHER PRICES, NOT MORE TURNOVER
The Kremlin has boasted that Russia's growing trade with China is a manifestation of Moscow's "strategic" bilateral partnership with Beijing. Yet despite Russia's stated reluctance to limit itself to the role of raw materials supplier for the Chinese economy, actual export and import trends in... MORE
PUTIN, GAZPROM, AND “THE OTHER NORWEGIAN COMPANY”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has every reason to be pleased with his performance at last week's press conference. For three and a half hours he confidently and smoothly handled a barrage of questions, not all of them conveniently pre-arranged, projecting the image of a competent... MORE
MOSCOW ON KOSOVO: HAVING ITS CAKE AND EATING IT TOO
Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal that the status of Kosovo should, after its enactment, be used as model and precedent for settling the post-Soviet conflicts (see EDM, February 2) was predictable in its content, but unusual in its form. Putin personally aired the proposal in... MORE
IRAN AND CHINA SIGN AGREEMENT TO EXPLORE OIL IN THE CASPIAN SEA
On January 18, Iran's North Drilling Company (NDC) and the Hong Kong-registered China Oilfield Services Ltd. signed an oil-exploration agreement for management, repair, and maintenance of the Alborz semi-floating platform, currently being constructed by the Iranian Offshore Industries Company. A three-year contract with an estimated... MORE
Jihadi Doctrine on Killing Americans
On January 30, al-Qaeda's second-in-command, Egyptian national Ayman al-Zawahiri, reiterated Osama bin Laden's threat to carry out an attack in the United States. Given the controversy that bin Laden's threat stirred on the jihadi forums, it is worth taking a brief look at the ideological... MORE
Saudi Security and the Islamist Insurgency
For over a decade, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has fought an ongoing battle against homegrown Islamist insurgents. These forces have sought to overthrow the ruling monarchy and replace it with what they have described as an "authentic" Islamic regime. Throughout the Saudi government's battle... MORE
The Significance of Bin Laden’s New Audio Statement
On January 19, 2006, al-Jazeera Television broadcast a new statement by al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden. The statement was bin Laden's first since October 31, 2004. The U.S. government announced that the voice on the tape almost certainly is that of bin Laden (Bloomberg, January... MORE