Latest Articles about Middle East

Mujahideen Shura Council in Iraq: Fact or Fiction?

In a statement released on March 23, the newly-formed Mujahideen Shura Council (MSC) in Iraq announced that on the previous day a combatant from the "Abu Dujana al-Ansari Brigade" (a unit affiliated to any one of the seven insurgent organizations comprising the MSC) detonated a... MORE

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

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

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