Latest Articles about Middle East
KREMLIN USES ENERGY TO TEACH EX-SOVIET NEIGHBORS A LESSON IN GEOPOLITICAL LOYALTY
Russia appears increasingly ready to use its status as a leading energy producer as an instrument of its muscular policy in the post-Soviet lands. Neighboring countries that do not have "special relations" with Moscow and that demonstrate pro-Western leanings are facing a steep rise in... 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
HOPES FOR KREMLIN DIALOGUE WITH KABARDINO-BALKARIA INSURGENTS FADE
On November 4, the Kabardino-Balkaria branch of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) summoned Ruslan Nakhushov, chairman of the local Islamic Institute, for interrogation. According to Kommersant, Nakhushov visited the FSB the very day that the summons was served. He returned to his office after... MORE
PUTIN’S BUREAUCRATIC RESPONSE TO RUSSIA’S ECONOMIC MISBALANCE
For Russian President Vladimir Putin, the long trip to Busan, South Korea, to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum summit was quite problem-free, since Russia has no stake in the deadlocked trade disputes that dominated the agenda. The APEC leaders urged Moscow to join the... MORE
RUSSIAN-JAPANESE PEACE TREATY REMAINS ELUSIVE
On the eve of Russian President Vladimir Putin's November 20-22 trip to Japan for a summit in Tokyo with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, a peace treaty between the two neighboring states appears elusive. The summit comes at a difficult time for Japan in terms of... MORE
Al-Zarqawi’s Rise to Power: Analyzing Tactics and Targets
This article is the first in a two-part series on Zarqawi’s rising influence in the jihadist movement. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is attaining legendary status. Glorified by militant Salafists and jihadists the world over as an invincible warrior and vilified by Western governments as the most... MORE