Latest Articles about Middle East

CSTO SEEN AS A SHIELD AGAINST OUTSIDE MEDDLING

Russia has reiterated its pledges to strengthen the regional security grouping it has established with five former Soviet states. At an unprecedented November 29-30 meeting in Moscow of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO, which includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan) Council of... MORE

PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN CHECHNYA: NO CLEAR WINNER

At noon on November 27, Russian TV broadcast a report about the progress of that day's parliamentary elections in Chechnya. The correspondent was standing alone inside the heavily guarded government headquarters in Grozny. No other people were visible in the area and the scene was... MORE

IRAN’S SEARCH FOR ALLIES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

As international pressure mounts over Iran's nuclear activities, the Iranian government has intensified its public relations campaign in the region. Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Motaki has been touring nearby states in an attempt to boost Iran's regional profile and foster bilateral relations with neighboring countries.... MORE

The Amman Bombings: A Blow to the Jihadists?

The Amman bombings on November 9 were widely condemned by the Islamic world, particularly that many victims were civilians celebrating a wedding. This condemnation has again raised questions about support for al-Qaeda among Muslims, especially in a country like Jordan, an ally in the war... MORE

Arrests in Morocco Highlight the Expanding Jihadi Nexus

A wave of arrests that took place in early November in Morocco is illuminating for two reasons: the expansion of al-Zarqawi's influence outside Iraq, and the interconnection between jihadist activities on both shores of the Mediterranean. The series of arrests, beginning on November 11 in... MORE

SERGEI IVANOV’S PR CAMPAIGN ROLLS OVER ONE JOURNALIST

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov is known to be one of the closest aides to President Vladimir Putin, a founding member of the inner circle where key decisions are prepared with absolute confidentiality and zero leaks. That loyalty helps Putin to remain a master of... MORE

RUSSIA AND THE TWO-KOREAS: THE LATEST ROUND

The latest round of the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program took place November 9-11 in Beijing. Like many of the preceding rounds, this one ended inconclusively. While U.S. President George W. Bush and his officials are still busy trying to organize a unified... MORE