CENTRAL COMMAND: CENTCOM & THE LONG WAR - CounterStrikeMedia

IRAN BUILDS ECONOMIC CORRIDOR TO EVADE US LED SANCTIONS, FAILURE OF PREVIOUS ADMIN. WROUGHT FOREIGN POLICY FAILURE & THE SOURCE OF THE IRANIAN REVOLUTION M.E.K.

3/29/2019

Why Iran is so afraid of a free Iraq
Michael Rubin | The National Interest

Hassan Rouhani's Visit to Iraq
By Dr. Doron Itzchakov, March 28, 2019
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: For the first time since his swearing-in, Iranian president Hassan Rouhani paid a visit to neighboring Iraq. While the visit was sparked by the economic sanctions imposed by Donald Trump’s administration and Iran’s desire to create an economic corridor that would enable it to bypass those sanctions, it was also intended to implement a broader range of interests: to maintain Iraq within Tehran’s sphere of influence on the one hand, and to accumulate achievements at the expense of Rouhani’s domestic opponents on the other.
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CRITICAL THREATS PROJECT

U.S. Intensifies Campaign against Syrian Maritime Sanctions Busting
David Adesnik | Director of Research

The Mojahedin e-Khalq aren't America's friends
Michael Rubin | The National Interest

WHY SAUDI TIES MATTER: SHAPING THE MIDDLE EAST, NORTH AFRICA; THE LIMITS OF SAUDI VISION 2030

3/29/2019

Trump Should Salvage U.S.-Saudi Relations
Like it or not, Washington’s ties with Riyadh still matter.
John Hannah | Senior Counselor

Nervous Riyadh anxious about Algiers
The Saudi Kingdom watches cautiously as Algerian protesters bring back the 2019 version of the Arab Spring to demand an open political system.

Impacts of Saudi Arabia’s Vision2030 on U.S. Efforts to Confront Iran
By Scott Harr, Divergent Options: "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision2030 plan to transform its economy and society will have significant effects on the U.S. ability to confront and counter Iran.

HOW THE END IS THE BEGINNING FOR REGIONAL SUNNI ISLAM TERROR, EGYPT LAYS PROSTRATE BEFORE GULF MONARCHIES, US CANNOT ABANDON FRAGILE STATES & WHERE IS THE PALESTINIAN SADAT

3/28/2019

Why was ISIS successful?
Kenneth Pollack | RealClearBooks
Ultimately, there were a number of reasons why Da’ish did as well as it did in 2013–15, and this excerpt from "Armies of Sand" explains the most important factors.

At turning point in insurgent wars, U.S. general cautions against disengaging from fragile states

Shaul Bartal writes: In stark contrast to the extraordinary vision and courage displayed by Israeli Prime Minster Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat in signing their peace treaty 40 years ago, the Palestinian leadership has been staunchly rejectionist and a serial squanderer of opportunities for peace. One can only hope that the Arab regimes, which appear increasingly reluctant to remain hostage to Palestinian rejectionism, will be courageous enough to follow in Sadat’s visionary footsteps. – Algemeiner

Mohamed Maher writes: Egypt’s tone towards Iran is particularly surprising given the Gulf’s increasingly intense rhetoric against the Islamic Republic. Paradoxically, it seems that the Gulf States’ deep concern over the Muslim Brotherhood—in particular its relationship with Iran—has given the current Egyptian regime some leeway in its approach to Iran. […]Thus, though combating Iran is one of the Gulf States’ top priorities, officials seem to have accepted Egypt’s lackluster involvement in these efforts. For Cairo, this arrangement seems to be the best of both worlds: while remaining a Gulf ally, Egypt is able to preserve an attitude towards Iran’s actions in the region that reflects some of Cairo and Tehran’s shared strategic interests.- Washington Institute

TURKEY: ULTIMATE GAMBLER OF SUNNI TERRORISM AND NATO SUPPORTER

3/28/2019

Erdoğan's Dangerous Ambitions Threaten India and Beyond
By Jagdish N. Singh, March 27, 2019
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The age of empire has come and gone, but in some quarters, the imperialist dream is alive and well. Leaders continue to appear on the world stage from time to time to style themselves in this fashion. The latest entry in this category is Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is promoting himself as leader of the Muslim world to his coreligionists around the globe – particularly in India.
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Interviews with a captured Islamic State prisoner suggest that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s terror complicity is worse than many imagined, writes Michael Rubinin a Washington Examiner op-ed. While some of what the prisoner says is likely exaggeration, much of his confession remains relevant and reaffirms that Erdogan’s Turkey is a terror sponsor and that Erdogan is a duplicitous partner. A few questions remain: Why are Erdogan, his family, and senior officials in his government still welcomed in the US? And should Turkey’s state airline have landing rights in the US? Learn more here.

S-400 or F-35? Turkey’s Erdogan Must Choose

US suspends Turkey from F-35 program
The Donald Trump administration has ceased delivery of equipment related to Turkey’s F-35 fighter aircraft, Reuters reported Monday, the first major US step to block delivery of the jet to its NATO ally. The Pentagon said the equipment delivery had been stopped due to Ankara’s planned purchase of a Russian missile defense system. “Pending an unequivocal Turkish decision to forgo delivery of the S-400, deliveries and activities associated with the stand-up of Turkey’s F-35 operational capability have been suspended,” Pentagon spokesman Mike Andrews said in a statement. Read More 

ALGERIA: ARMY STEPPING IN, ASKS FOR LEADERSHIP TO STEP DOWN

3/26/2019

Algeria names interim president after Bouteflika resignation
Algeria’s parliament today named Senate leader Abdelkader Bensalah as interim president, one week after Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigned. Under the Algerian Constitution, the head of the upper house of parliament, a Bouteflika ally, will serve in the post for a maximum of 90 days while a new election is organized. Protesters who forced Bouteflika out after weeks of street demonstrations however continue to demand a comprehensive political overhaul. Read More

Algeria’s future: What follows Bouteflika?
Emily Estelle | Critical Threat

Rachel Donadio writes: The question now is whether Algeria will undergo a genuine transition of power, Bouteflika and his minions will maintain their grip, or Islamist political factions will strengthen their authority in a country where secularism is strong. – The Atlantic

Ben Fishman writes: In the best case, a caretaker government will lead Algeria toward a constitutional reform process and fair elections, producing an elected government that can begin adopting necessary economic reforms while maintaining the military’s loyalty. Yet the chances of that process unfolding smoothly seem dim. A smooth transition is in the best interests of the United States given the deep security interests at stake. Algeria borders Libya, the Sahel, and the Mediterranean region, all of which would suffer tremendously if local authorities cannot control the borders and keep a lid on terrorism, smuggling, and mass migration. – Washington Institute

Mohammed Issam Laaroussi writes: In the absence of any current form of Maghreb integration, and in light of the growing needs and concerns of the populations in the region regarding security, stability, and the opportunity to live a life with dignity, the question of reviving the Arab Maghreb Union will always remain an imperative issue. If a revival was accomplished, this process would force political regimes to cooperate, first in order to achieve stability and security, and secondly, to keep pace with changes in societal values that require reform and which are rejecting ready-made, top-down policies currently supplied by governments. – Washington Institute

Whoever replaces Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, ousted by weeks of protest, will inherit another crisis-in-the-making: the economy. Even before hundreds of thousands of Algerians began their campaign for political change, the government had only a few years worth of foreign currency reserves left. With the OPEC member heading into uncharted territory after Bouteflika resigned on Tuesday, the clock to financial upheaval is now ticking faster. – Bloomberg

Algerian President Bouteflika resigns
Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika submitted his resignation on Tuesday in a televised ceremony. The head of the upper house of parliament, Bouteflika ally Abdelkader Bensalah, will act as interim leader for a maximum of 90 days while a new election is organized. The ailing 82-year-old president had been facing mounting pressure to step down after his bid for a fifth term sparked six weeks of protests. Bouteflika’s resignation comes after the army called for his removal from office on the grounds that he is unfit to rule due to his deteriorating health. Read More

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Algerian president to step down by end of the month
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika will resign before the end of his mandate on April 28, the presidency announced Monday, adding that the 82-year-old would take “steps to ensure state institutions continue to function during the transition period." The decision follows weeks of protests against the ailing leader's bid for a fifth term after two decades in power.
The announcement comes as Algeria has banned several businessmen accused of corruption from leaving the country, Ennahar TV reports. Authorities seized the passports of seven men including Ali Haddad, who is close to the president. Haddad was arrested on Sunday on his way to Tunisia. Read More 

Algeria appoints caretaker government
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika named a new caretaker government led by Noureddine Bedoui as prime minister on Sunday amid reports that he will step down this week amid nationwide protests to end his two-deacde-long rule. Local TV channels reported that the ailing 82-year-old president could resign as early as Tuesday. On Saturday, the Algerian army renewed its call for Bouteflika to be removed from office on the grounds that he is unfit to rule due to his deteriorating health. Read More

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Algerian army chief invokes constitution to remove president from office
Algeria’s military on Monday called for President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s removal from office by having him deemed unfit to rule due to his deteriorating health. The army’s chief of staff, Gen. Ahmed Gaed Salah, said such a move is “the only guarantee for political stability.” Over the past several weeks, Algerians have held mass protests against the two-decade rule of the ailing 82-year-old president, who last addressed the country in 2013. Under Article 102 of the Algerian Constitution, the country's Constitutional Council would formally declare Bouteflika unfit for office, a decision that would require approval from parliament. Read More

ASIA TIMES

AL-JAZEERA

Algerian military and political leaders turned against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in a bid to maintain power and pacify protesters as demonstrations enter a second month.
- Read and see the Salafi-jihadi groups in West Africa.

OIL PRICE.COM

Algerian protesters reject military's gambit to maintain power
Algeria's army chief has called on President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to be declared unfit, paving the way for a caretaker president. But protesters argue the military must hand power to the people.

Algeria’s National Rally for Democracy party, which forms part of the ruling coalition, has joined calls from the military for President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to resign.

Mohamed Chtatou writes: Some of the key lessons of the first Arab Spring was how easily unrest spread from one country to another, and how universal the demands for increased social, political, and economic opportunity were among protestors across the Arab World. […]The Arab world must establish accountability within its governments. Otherwise, national wealth will continue to be wasted on inequalities that trap many of its people in cycles of deep poverty while rewarding corruption. The stark visibility of these inequalities will continue to drive its desperate youth towards strife. – Washington Institute

Algeria is at a crossroads following last week’s resignation of longtime President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. In a Critical Threats Project analysis, Emily Estelle writes that while it is difficult to assess its trajectory with confidence, the best-case scenario is far from the most likely. Although Algeria’s protest movement has defied expectations by its longevity and its peacefulness, the path to a fundamental change in the Algerian system of governance is narrow and hindered by a stagnant economy and an entrenched power structure. Learn more about Algeria here.

A DREAM DEFERRED: KURDISH FREEDOM & AFGHAN TALKS

3/23/2019

WINP
WINP
WINP

Michael Rubin writes: By cutting off the elected government of Afghanistan, and refusing even to brief their elected leaders on the substance of talks, Khalilzad is handing a victory to the Taliban (a group with which, pre-Sept. 11 attacks, he cooperated with for the sake of business). […]If peace talks are going to succeed, it is essential to reinforce the legitimacy of Afghanistan’s elected government rather than throw it under the bus. It’s bad enough that Khalilzad acts like a viceroy and Hale appears to care more about Mohib’s rhetoric than the Taliban’s reality. It’s even worse, however, to ignore decades of diplomatic principle for the sake of a quick deal. – Washington Examiner

Zalmay Khalilzad’s Afghanistan dealing empowers Pakistan and undermines Trump
Michael Rubin | Washington Examine

https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2019/03/why-the-taliban-should-be-required-to-renounce-al-qaeda-in-any-deal-with-us.php

ISLAMABAD HITS A PAN-ARAB WALL & SPYING IN PAKISTAN: THE WAY OF THE KNIFE

3/23/2019

China and the limits of Pakistan’s Pan-Islamism
Sadanand Dhume | AEIdeas

"P" IN PAKISTAN IS FOR PRAGMATIC?

Harsh V. Pant and Hasan Alhasan write: At present, Modi seems willing to accept these risks. He has replaced India’s cautious “balancing” approach to the region with an aggressive strategy geared toward attracting investments from the Gulf and deepening India’s security partnership with Israel, ignoring Iran in the process. Even a new government in New Delhi if Modi falls in the upcoming elections will find it difficult to change this trajectory, as the premier’s imprint is likely to be longer-lasting than many expected when he came to office. – Foreign Policy

TALIBAN IS A BAD DEAL, SAUDI'S DON'T RANGE FAR FROM WASHINGTON & MENA REGION GETS WORLD BANK HELP

3/23/2019

Trump’s Bad Deal with the Taliban
Thomas Joscelyn, Bill Roggio — Politico
Last week, Afghanistan’s national security adviser, Hamdullah Mohib, launched into a broadside against Zalmay Khalilzad, the chief American diplomat responsible for negotiating with the Taliban. Addressing reporters in Washington, Mohib insinuated that Khalilzad is seeking to install himself as the “viceroy” of a new “caretaker government.” The State Department quickly issued a sharp rebuke, saying that any condemnation of Khalilzad was really a critique of its leader, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo... Read more

Saudi Arabia may be courting Asian partners, but it will always need the US
Varsha Koduvayur — CNN
Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman recently wrapped up a week of high-profile visits to Asia, touring Pakistan, India and China in a bid to court new allies. The Saudis clearly mean to signal to the United States and the West that they have options, as the kingdom endures a tarnished reputation over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. But anticipation of a full-blown Saudi pivot to Asia — and a turning away from the United States — is misguided... Read more

MENA REGION, WORLD BANK

Zalmay Khalilzad’s behavior is worse than simply acting as Afghanistan’s viceroy
Michael Rubin | Washington Examiner

PUTIN FOR BIBI'S RE-ELECTION, THE GOLAN, HEZBOLLAH-GERMAN NUCLEAR THREAT GROWS WHILE CHINA SEEKS TO ENVELOP ISRAELI PORTS

3/22/2019

AL-MONITOR

Foreign Investment in Israel’s Critical Infrastructure: Towards New Legislation

Germany won’t disclose Iranian attempts to obtain nuclear weapons, rocket technology, foreign ministry letter shows

Trump Seizes the High Ground in the Golan
Editorial of The New York Sun | March 22, 2019
https://www.nysun.com/editorials/trump-seizes-the-high-ground-in-the-golan/90618/

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https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-says-it-has-exposed-new-hezbollah-cell-operating-from-syrian-golan-heights/

WINEP’s Matthew Levitt: Hezbollah’s procurement channels: leveraging criminal networks and partnering with Iran

Editorial: Recognizing the Golan sends a message to Russia, Syria’s patron, that the U.S. recognizes that the civil war has changed Syrian reality. There is no returning to a nonexistent status quo ante. It also tells the Palestinians that a return to pre-1967 borders is no longer realistic. They will have to allow some Israeli security presence in what they call the “occupied territories” if they want a two-state solution in Palestine. – Wall Street Journal

AMERICA'S WAR IN ARABIA & SAUDI ARABI'A DRIVE TO MODERNITY

3/19/2019

Will Saudi Arabia Leave the Seventh Century? by Judith Bergman •

https://www.amazon.com/Last-Refuge-al-Qaeda-Americas-Arabia-ebook/dp/B007Q6XMNS/ref=sr11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1539565571&sr=1-1&keywords=yemen+johnsen

ROUHANI'S VISIT TO IRAQ & HOW PAKISTAN NAVIGATES SAUDI-IRANIAN RIVALRY

3/19/2019

https://www.timesofisrael.com/construction-of-new-iranian-nuclear-plants-going-well-atomic-chief-says/

https://freebeacon.com/national-security/congress-unloads-on-pro-iran-deal-forces-in-trump-administration/

https://www.apnews.com/c88a5fbdc70440bebb4cf39efac4bae2

https://www.timesofisrael.com/blue-and-white-regains-edge-over-likud-in-polls-but-right-wing-bloc-still-leads/

https://www.jpost.com/Israel-Elections/Benny-Gantz-to-deliver-keynote-speech-at-AIPAC-583185

What Rouhani’s visit to Iraq tells us about Iran’s Syria policy
The Iranian president’s recent visit to Iraq and a possible first trip to Syria since his taking office in 2013 indicate a growing role for the Rouhani administration on regional files.

Rouhani’s Iraq visit raises important questions for Israel
Does Israel see Rouhani's visit to Iraq as strengthening his hand in Iran? One answer could be that while Rouhani was in Baghdad, hard-liner Ebrahim Raisi was elected deputy chief of the Assembly of Experts.

How Pakistan navigates the Saudi Arabia–Iran rivalry
Karen E. Young | United States Institute of Peace
Karen Young discusses Pakistan's relations with the Gulf states and the implications for regional security with Ankit Panda, senior editor of The Diplomat, and Alex Vatanka, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, moderated by Amb. Richard Olson, former ambassador to Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

Saudi-Iran conflict threatens to flare in Pakistan
Recent Saudi investments in a Pakistani port near the border with Iran are likely to irk Tehran, but Islamabad’s strategic ties to both Tehran and Riyadh make it a prime contender to ease the tensions.

TOWARD A MIDDLE EAST STRATEGY

3/19/2019

Getting Back to Basics Tony Badran | Research Fellow

The Caravan: Toward a Middle East Strategy
via The CaravanIssue 1921 of The Caravan is now available online. The journal is a periodic symposium on the contemporary dilemmas of the Greater Middle East.

The Collapsing Strategic Context
by Charles Hill via The CaravanIn designing an optimal American strategy toward the Middle East, two factors stand out. One is that now, as most always in the past, the climate of opinion is both “this is the last chance for peace” and “this is a time when nothing can be done”. The second is that whatever happens in the region at this point in the 21st century will affect and be affected by negative and dangerous new trends in the other power centers of the world: China, Russia, the U.S., and even the European Union.

Why America Can't Quit The Middle East
by Hal Brands via The CaravanOne of the most persistent myths about U.S. foreign policy is the idea that America desires—due to greed, messianic ideological impulses, or simple imperial presumptions—to dominate the Middle East. In reality, American policy has long been torn by two conflicting imperatives: The need to protect enduring U.S. interests, on the one hand, and the desire to stay clear of the region’s unending headaches, on the other.

No Exit: The U.S. Predicament in the Middle East
by Henri J. Barkey via The Caravan
“L'enfer est pavé de bonnes intentions” (the road to hell is paved with good intentions) goes a French expression. Years of American involvement in the Middle East to fashion a region that is stable, peaceful, more prosperous and more respectful of human rights has proven, so far at least, a failure. As a result, U.S. decision makers, thinkers and certainly the public at large are increasingly expressing their exasperation with that region.

Wars, Not Brexit, Destroyed Britain's Global Power
with Niall Ferguson via The National Interest
The lesson to learn from the British Empire is unambiguous: unless the United States is attacked, Washington should avoid direct involvement in continental wars.

Thinking About A Strategy For The Middle East
by Dennis Ross via The CaravanStrategy starts with understanding our interests and the objectives that flow from those interests. In the Middle East, our interests have evolved but perhaps less than many may think. After the Second World War, when the US assumed more global responsibilities, Democratic and Republican Presidents saw the Middle East as vital to our interests because of its oil and geo-strategic centrality. The unimpeded flow of its oil was necessary for global economic health and for the reconstruction of Europe—which was perceived as an essential national security priority.

"Going Short" In The Middle East
by Samuel Helfont via The CaravanIn finance, “going short” is a way to make money on stocks that lose value. Nassim Taleb, the author of The Black Swan, reportedly used this tactic to make millions during financial crises. He did not know exactly when or why the markets would crash, but he knew they eventually would. Then he cashed in. In many ways, going short is the opposite of traditional investment. In traditional investments one bets on success. In going short, one bets on failure. For over a decade, the United States has been trying to find a way to declare victory in the Middle East so that it can leave.

Middle East Perceptions Of An America Adrift
by Sanam Vakil via The Caravan American strategy towards the Middle East has long been based on maintaining the twin pillars of security and stability in a region of geostrategic importance. At a crossroads between Europe, Africa and Asia, the Middle East has been historically significant for its energy supplies and passageways connecting the east and the west. To advance American interests, the United States has traditionally sought to maintain its position of influence through regional partnerships and with its military presence. Today though, there is a widespread perception that the US may be abandoning the Middle East.

U.S. Middle East Strategy
by Samuel Tadros via The Caravan The Middle East remains today a troublesome area for the United States. American interests in the region are threatened by a host of adversaries from a resurgent Russia, a hegemonic Iranian desire and campaign of subversion, and Jihadi threat that has morphed from Al Qaeda to the Islamic State. Moreover, despite long U.S. investments and alliances, the region remains deeply anti-American.

FROM KABUL TO BAGHDAD: US WAR EFFORT IN MESOPOTAMIA-AFGHANISTAN, THE REVIEW & HOW TO KEEP EURASIA DIVIDED

3/15/2019

The US Does Not Lose Much by Withdrawing from Afghanistan By Emil Avdaliani
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: In December 2018, the Trump administration announced that its military will start withdrawing roughly 7,000 troops from Afghanistan in the coming months. Though the decision seems an abrupt shift in the US’s 17-year-old war in Afghanistan, it fits into the American grand strategy of keeping Eurasia divided.
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Barbara A. Leaf and Bilal Wahab write: In addition to building Iraq’s capacity to curb the Islamic State’s resurgence, the U.S. defense relationship anchors a wide array of international actors to the larger effort of reintegrating the country into the regional community. Breaking Iraq out of its isolation and helping it regain stability through deepened economic and political relations with Jordan, Egypt, and the Gulf would give Baghdad the means to regain full sovereignty over its affairs and resist Iranian interference. While many of the Iraqi characters in the 2011 political drama that ended the U.S. military presence remain in place, Washington has a wholly different cast of policymakers set to repeat—or, hopefully, avoid—that mistake. – Washington Institute

Don't blame Afghanistan for blowing whistle on Zalmay Khalilzad
(Washington Examiner) The problem is that Khalilzad may also have a personal agenda when it comes to Afghanistan.

Peace in Afghanistan: The Tumultuous Road Ahead
By Archana Atmakuri & Roshni Kapur, the interpreter: “Afghanistan is probably the first country where a democratically elected government is not a party to the peace agreement. Its absence in a process to determine the future of its nation has raised questions over its legitimacy and power."

https://www.amazon.com/Kabul-Baghdad-Back-U-S-Afghanistan-ebook/dp/B009M19R7U/ref=tmmkinswatch0?encoding=UTF8&qid=1552486774&sr=8-2-fkmr0

THE ISLAMIC STATE HITS KABUL; CHINA VETO'S PAKISTANI TERROR SQUAD; HOW THE CITADEL IS FAILING; IS TUNISIA UP FOR GRABS

3/15/2019

ASIA TIMES

Tunisian president seeks to change constitution to gain more power
Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi on Wednesday called for constitutional amendments to give himself more power ahead of elections later this year. “The president has no major functions and executive power is in the hands of the prime minister,” Essebsi said in a speech marking the anniversary of Tunisia’s independence. Tensions have been escalating between Essebsi and Prime Minister Youssef Chahed in recent months. Chahed recently broke off from Essebsi’s ruling Nidaa Tounes (Call for Tunisia) party after months of feuding, forming the rival Tahya Tounes (Long Live Tunisia) party in late January. Read More 

DEPTH OF CHINA'S TIES TO PAKISTAN

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ASIA TIMES: THE CITADEL IS FAILING

ALGERIA: SEEKING EXTENSION OF 4TH TERM, THE FLM ABORTIVE REVOLUTION CONTINUES; AFRICAN CONGO IN THE NEWS

3/12/2019

ALGERIAN LEADERSHIP WILL NOT LEAVE

What is the Maghreb?
Emily Estelle | AEI video

Political elites’ failure to deescalate protests in Algeria increases the likelihood that the military will declare a state of emergency to end the political crisis.
- Algeria has been a bastion of stability in an extremely unstable neighborhood.

Algerian president refuses protesters' demands he step down
Algeria’s longtime President Abdelaziz Bouteflika said in a letter published on Monday that he will not step down despite mass protests demanding his resignation. Instead the ailing 82-year-old stressed the need to hold a national conference that would pave the way for a new constitution and a new president. Algeria’s newly appointed Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui has started talks to form a new government, which is expected to include technocrats with no political affiliation.
Meanwhile, Algerian Deputy Prime Minister Ramtane Lamamra and Foreign Minister Abdelkader Messahel arrived in Russia today for a visit. Russia is an important strategic and trade partner for the north African country. Read More

Salim Abdullah el-Haj writes: In the past several weeks, peaceful mass protests have spread through the streets of Algeria in response to the announcement that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika would run for a new term in the upcoming presidential elections. In an attempt to calm the Algerian street, Bouteflika was forced to make a statement last Monday declaring his intention to abandon his bid for a fifth term. […]Nevertheless, the scenes of protest continue in a manner reminiscent of the Arab Spring, when young people across a number of Arab countries also took to the streets to demand new economic and social prospects. – Washington Institute

Amr Salah writes: Thus, even excluding any discussion of another Arab Spring, what is happening now in both Sudan and Algeria—which may spread to other countries—should be taken as a chance to draw attention to the possibility of new wave of political unrest in a volatile region. Considering the ongoing regional crises, which range from terrorism to civil conflicts, proxy wars, a stagnant Palestinian-Israeli peace process, and the Gulf crisis, it is plausible that any additional source of tension could exacerbate these extant issues and spark a more overt political unrest. – Washington Institute

New Algerian prime minister begins Cabinet formation talks
Algeria’s newly appointed Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui has started talks to form a new government, state media reported Sunday. Algiers has vowed that the new Cabinet will include technocrats with no political affiliation and “reflect the demographics of the Algerian society.” The new government is a bid to defuse public anger and curb more than three weeks of mass protests against longtime President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. However, 13 Algerian unions announced today that they will not support Bedoui's efforts after tens of thousands of Algerians on Friday staged the biggest mass protest since the unrest began. Read More aljazeera.com

New government in Algeria expected next week
Algeria's new Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui said Thursday that Algiers will form a new government early next week. The new government is a bid to defuse tensions after demonstrators rejected President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s decision to postpone next month's elections. “This government will have a short period, and its role is to be the support for the national conference and what Algerians agree upon,” Bedoui said, adding that the new Cabinet will include technocrats and young people representing the protest movement. Bouteflika’s office has agreed to draft a new constitution after protesters forced the ailing 82-year-old to drop his bid for a fifth term.
Read More

Algerian regime elites are attempting to preserve power in the face of widespread popular protests sparked by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s candidacy announcement.
Algeria neighbors multiple Salafi-jihadi havens, raising the stakes if the elites and protestors can't reach a compromise.

Algeria: President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 82, said Monday he would not seek a fifth presidential term, but demonstrators continued to gather this week, some skeptical of the plan to cancel the presidential election in April.

Why Algerian protesters aren't satisfied with Bouteflika's latest 'concession'
After protesters rejected President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s offer to step down after one year should he be re-elected, his latest announcement that he will extend his fourth term is being met with more anger.

Algeria postpones elections as president drops bid for fifth term
Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced Monday that he would drop his bid for a fifth term in office following weeks of mass protests against his 20-year rule. “My health and my age only permit me to fulfill my last duty toward the Algerian people — [that] is to work on laying the foundations of a new republic,” the ailing 82-year-old president said in a letter. However, he also said he would extend his current term while postponing the elections, which had been planned for April. A new constitution will also be put to a national referendum. Bouteflika said he would conduct a government reshuffle and assigned Interior Minister Noureddine Bedoui to form the new Cabinet after Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia resigned. Read More 

Next Bloodbath Could Erupt At Algeria
By BENNY AVNI, Special to the Sun | March 13, 2019
https://www.nysun.com/foreign/next-bloodbath-could-erupt-at-algeria/90608/
Thousands of Algerians poured into the streets Tuesday, and Americans should watch carefully as Arab Spring 2.0 threatens to wreak havoc on North Africa and beyond.
The uprising first erupted three weeks ago, after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced his intention to run for re-election on April 18. The 82-year-old has been in power for 20 years, but for a decade Algerians have hardly heard his voice or seen his picture.
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Veteran diplomat to chair conference on Algeria’s political future
Algeria on Tuesday tasked veteran diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi with chairing a conference on the country’s political future amid mass protests against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Brahimi will chair a conference with representatives from the protest movement and independence-era war veterans to draft a new constitution and set a date for elections. Bouteflika announced this week that he would not run for a fifth term but postponed next month's poll. Protesters continued to demand his resignation on Tuesday. Read More

Moscow monitors situation in Algeria as protests continue
Russia is watching widespread Algerian protests with caution, wanting to preserve its assets in the country, as well as its strategic relationship.

The newly-elected President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has pardoned some 700 political prisoners who were jailed by his predecessor Joseph Kabila.

• Algeria’s new prime minister has vowed to form an inclusive and technocratic government which involves young Algerians.

NEW GEO-STRATEGIC IDEAS FOR SOUTH WEST ASIA-POLAND'S 'FORT TRUMP', WITH MOTHER RUSSIA IN MIND & POLITICALLY-STRATEGIC TONE DEAFNESS FROM THE NEW YORKER ON NEAR EAST SECTARIANISM

3/11/2019

Sadanand Dhume writes: Beijing may believe it is keeping India off balance, but its policy also carries costs. By poking a finger in India’s eye, China is turning a potential friend into a sworn enemy. It should not be surprised if the development of the U.S.-India military relationship accelerates. […]Since 9/11, China has framed its oppression of the Uighurs as part of its own war on terrorism. This has long been a smokescreen. But given how cavalierly China takes the rest of the world’s concerns about terrorism, the smoke may be about to clear. – Wall Street Journal

Learning Painful Lessons From Afghanistan
By Gunhild Hoogensen Gjørv, War Room: “When the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) finally closed shop in Afghanistan in 2014, many participating nations professed a weariness with complex, civil-military, out-of-area operations. These operations demanded close, often awkward, relationships of cooperation, co-existence, and confrontation between different civil and military actors."

Toward 'Fort Trump': US Makes Poland a 'Serious Robust Offer' // Katie Bo WilliamsU.S. Defense Undersecretary for Policy John Rood met Wednesday in Warsaw with Polish defense officials to negotiate a permanent presence of U.S. forces in the former Soviet satellite, a project long sought by Poland that it has pitched to the U.S. as “Fort Trump.”
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The U.S. And the Need for a New Block in South Asia
By Anil Sigdel, RealClearDefense: “Ideally, for the U.S., a united block in South Asia under India's leadership would mean to either help control Chinese inroads into the region or provide some support to promote and uphold the liberal architecture. However, such thinking overlooked at least two important factors, if not more."

Options for Peace in the Continuing War in Afghanistan
By Suzanne Schroeder, Divergent Options: “The goal of a defeated Taliban has proven to be outside of the realm of realistic expectations, and pursing this end does not advance American standing."

Can the Taliban Movement Become a Meaningful Diplomatic Actor?
By Farkhondeh Akbari, the interpreter: “The Taliban are not necessarily looking for a win-win outcome. They can easily break away from a peace agreement and continue fighting if their demands are not met."

Gerasimov Unveils Russia’s ‘Strategy of Limited Actions’
By Roger McDermott, Eurasia Daily Monitor: “It is highly likely that Gerasimov’s speech, as well as others during the conference, will play a role in the formulation of Russia’s the new military doctrine ordered by President Vladimir Putin in December 2018."

Technology, Uncertainty, and Future War
By Chris Tuck, Defence-In-Depth: “It would seem reasonable to assert that the role played by technology on future battlefields will depend to an important extent on the sorts of wars in which that technology will be used."

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MIDDLE EAST FORUM 2019 ISSUE, AL-SISI THE REFORMER & KURDISH MOVE TOWARD STATESMANSHIP

3/10/2019

MEF

Who Is Sisi of Egypt? A Reformer.by Cynthia Farahat
Middle East Quarterly
Spring 2019
https://www.meforum.org/57907/egypt-sisi-reformer

Iraqi Kurds urge their Syrian cousins to make peace with Damascus
Al-Monitor speaks with Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani about Iraqi Kurdistan's relationship with Baghdad, trade with Iran and why Turkey must negotiate with the PKK.

THE END OF PALESTINIAN NATIONALISM

3/9/2019

Why Has Palestinian Nationalism Failed? By Dr. Alex Joffe, March 7, 2019
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Warsaw Conference demonstrated that the popularity of the Palestinian cause continues to decline, suggesting that Palestinian nationalism has failed. Historically, the positive elements of Palestinian nationalism have been offset by its negative features, including reliance on antisemitism and negation of the Other. Pressures from above, in the form of Arab and Islamic identities, and tribal and clan pressures from below have impeded the development of a stable national identity. At the same time, strong state security institutions protect elites while weak social welfare institutions create dependence, mostly on foreign aid. While continued development of the Palestinian economy is encouraging, the contradictions of Palestinian nationalism are not easily resolved.
Continue to full article ->

Mkhaimar Abusada writes: Ultimately, it is safe to say that Hamas and Fatah have reached the point of no return; there is no chance of ending the political division and restoring Palestinian unity in the foreseeable future. The Hamas-Fatah political competition, divergent political ideologies, and their special interests have poisoned any chance of reconciliation between them. Moreover, the PA is not ready to discuss power sharing with Hamas in Gaza. – Washington Institute

THE HOUSE OF SAUD IS BROKEN: RIFT BETWEEN KING AND SON GROWS OVER YEMENI CIVIL WAR, ALGERIA AND DOMESTIC REFORM AGENDA

3/6/2019

Read our recommended way forward in Yemen.

ALGERIA: PROTESTS AGAINST THE REGIME

AL-JAZEERA

Testimony: Taking the lead back in Yemen
Katherine Zimmerman | House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Middle East, North Africa, and International Terrorism
America has vital national security interests in Yemen and must retake a leadership role to be more secure and shape the actions of its allies.

Can Saudi Arabia afford a stimulus?
Karen Young | Al-Monitor
In addition to commitments of direct financial support to central banks, aid, and foreign direct investment by state companies to a number of regional governments made over the past year, Saudi Arabia also plans a massive stimulus package in infrastructure spending to prompt domestic growth.

WINE
LAWFARE
UK GUARDIAN
UK GUARDIAN ETC. .

PAKISTAN'S PLAUSIBLE DENIABILITY; MIG 21 VS. F16 OVER KASHMIR & MYRA McDONALD ON AFGHANISTAN

3/6/2019

Balakot, Deterrence, and Risk: How This India-Pakistan Crisis Will Shape the Next by Arzan Tarapore

Read This If You Want to Sound Smart on National Security Q&A with Ryan Evans by Tobin Harshaw (Bloomberg)

India’s China Problem in Pakistan
Shashi Tharoor blames Chinese diplomacy for enabling terrorist leaders to operate freely.

Pakistan has ‘full-fledged plan’ to take out terrorist groups, while denying their existence
For years, Pakistani officials and military commanders have denied the existence of terrorist groups operating on Pakistani soil, and concurrently claimed that they are taking action against the same non-existent terrorist groups.

MIG 21 VS. F16

Myra MacDonald writes: It was in the fractious environment of Afghanistan’s civil war that an extreme form of Islamism – including the takfiri ideology that thrives on declaring other Muslims apostates – took root. […] Both older and newer arrivals took sides in the Afghan factionalism, ignoring advice from Azzam that they should refuse to be sucked into Afghan in-fighting. Among these was bin Laden. – War on the Rocks

Russian special forces train Palestinian militia in Syria
Russian special forces are reported to have held a training event for the pro-regime Palestinian militia, Liwa al Quds.

Pakistan PM’s political party welcomes Harakat-ul-Mujahideen emir into ranks
If Pakistan was sincere about tackling terrorists groups and their leaders and operatives, Khalil would be at the top of the target list. Instead, he has been welcomed with open arms into Imran Khan's political party.

Pakistan claims to ‘crack down’ on Jamaat-ud-Dawa. Again.
If the past is any guide, the efforts are merely eyewash to placate Western governments in the wake of major terror attacks emanating from Pakistani soil. Pakistan has claimed it has shut down JuD offices and detained its top leaders in the past, only to allow the offices to reopen and the leaders free months later.

ASIA TIMES: PAK HITS JeM

A South Asian Threat in America by Sam Westrop
Morning Consult
https://www.meforum.org/57954/south-asian-threat-america

India and Pakistan are a brewing nuclear nightmare
(Bloomberg) India’s election and Pakistan’s economic crisis are coming at a bad time.

China has praised Pakistan’s “restraint” and willingness to talk with India to ease tensions between the two countries after a deadly bombing in Indian-controlled Kashmir last month. – Reuters

Three senior Western diplomats said international reaction leaned toward India, which has long been seen as a victim of Pakistani-sponsored militancy. There was a lack of condemnation over the strikes into Pakistan. India is seen as an increasingly crucial ally to the U.S. and the West because of its economic growth and as a strategic hedge against an assertive China. […]The government in Islamabad has also been recalibrating its political alliances, turning away from the West and leaning toward countries such as China, Saudi Arabia, and Russia. – Bloomberg

Ahmed Rashid writes: Pakistan should prosecute the perpetrators of the Kashmir attack. And once India forms a new government, the United States, Britain and the United Nations, whose response to the current crisis has been slow, must encourage India to restart dialogue with Mr. Khan. Simultaneously, Islamabad must start dismantling the terrorist groups operating from its soil. Mr. Modi must stop his relentless use of lethal force in Kashmir and end his stubborn refusal to hold talks. A return to back-channel diplomacy is necessary, and the Musharraf-Manmohan peace process needs to be dusted off and looked at again. – New York Times

NETANYAHU'S POLITICAL LIFE ON THE LINE, MANGLED OSLO & QATARI TAKES THE RUSSIAN S400; ISRAEL GETS US THaad MISSILE SYSTEM

3/5/2019

NORMAN A. BAILEY Implications of the election in IsraelIncumbent PM Netanyahu's legal problems and the rise of a new centrist party are setting the stage for a new national unity government

Is Israel headed for national unity government?
According to current polls, neither Likud nor Blue and White alliance would be able to assemble a governing coalition after elections, raising a number of even more unlikely scenarios for doing so.

WINEP’s Ghaith al-Omari: Oslo’s mangled legacy

Bret Stephens writes: When the final chapter on Benjamin Netanyahu’s political life is written — and it may be a long time from now — he is likely to go down as the Richard Nixon of Israel: politically cunning, strategically canny, toxically flawed. The flaws came further to light on Thursday when Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit announced that he would indict the prime minister on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. – New York Times

Netanyahu launches election campaign
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu kicked off the election campaign for his right-wing Likud Party on Monday with a speech lashing out at his rivals. Netanyahu painted his opponents Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid from the centrist Blue and White party as “dangerous and irresponsible leftists.” He accused them of trying to hide their true political leanings, comparing them unfavorably to former Prime Ministers Ehud Barak and Yitzhak Rabin, who signed the Oslo Accord with Palestinian leadership. The Blue and White party is expected to present its political agenda today. Netanyahu spoke alone, refraining from presenting fellow Likud Knesset members on stage as he has in previous campaigns. He also made no reference to the pending corruption-related indictments against him. Read More

Qatar defies Saudi Arabia with deal for Russian missile defense system
Qatar announced Monday that it is still reviewing an offer to purchase Russia’s S-400 missile defense system, slamming rival Saudi Arabia’s opposition to the deal. Talks on the deal began when Doha and Moscow signed a military agreement in 2017, but the deal has stalled amid the Saudi-led blockade of Qatar. “We believe that for Saudi Arabia or any other country, it is not their business,” Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said at a press conference alongside his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. The French daily Le Monde reported last year that Saudi King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud has threatened military action against Qatar should it proceed with the S-400 purchase. Read More

US deploys THAAD missile-defense system in Israel
The United States confirmed Monday that it has temporarily deployed its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system in Israel for a joint military exercise. THAAD is the most advanced US air and missile defense system, and this is its first deployment in Israel. It is currently deployed at the Nevatim air base but will soon be transported to an undisclosed location in southern Israel. Read More

U.S. Deploys THAAD Anti-Ballistic Missile System to Israel

After Warsaw and the IAEA meeting, what’s next for Washington on Tehran’s nuclear file?

Disqualification battle camouflages real danger to Israel: Benjamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is exploiting a fraudulent symmetry between Kahane’s racial doctrine and a minority’s struggle for equal rights to incite against Israel’s Arab citizens.

EGYPTIAN ECONOMY RECOVERS, INTEREST RATE HIKE SLAMS TUNISIA; IRANIAN JUDICIARY GETS HARD

3/4/2019

Egyptian-Iranian relations: Where are they now?
It's often hard to tell whether Cairo and Tehran will embrace or break up.

Egypt’s unemployment rate declines to pre-revolution levels amid economic recovery
Although the Egyptian government is initiating programs to encourage work in the private sector, some graduates still see unemployment as a threat to young people.

Ebrahim Raisi to Head Iran’s Judiciary

Will latest interest rate hike break Tunisia’s back?
Following Tunisia's third interest rate hike in 12 months, economic and political experts sound the alarm on shrinking purchasing power while the nation's largest trade union calls for protests.

THE FIRST ARAB SPRING: ALGERIA, A FAILED REVOLUTION STRUGGLES; EGYPT TALKS LIBYAN ELECTIONS & TUNISIA

3/4/2019

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In Algeria, hope for the best but prepare for the worst
Emily Estelle | AEIdeas

The Algerian lawyers’ union starts a four-day strike to protest President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s bid for a fifth term.

WILL PROTESTERS ACCEPT OFFER OF REFORM
PROFILE OF LEADERSHIP

ALGERIA'S WAR VETERANS BACK PROTESTERS

ARMY VS. PROTESTERS

Algeria’s president vows to step down after one year if re-elected
Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Sunday vowed to step down after one year should he win re-election in April. The promise comes amid mass protests against his bid for a fifth term throughout the country. The ailing 81-year-old president, who last addressed his country more than six years ago, made the announcement via a letter read on state media as he formally submitted his candidacy. At least 183 people were injured during demonstrations on Friday when police tried to stop protesters from advancing toward the presidential palace. Read More

Will Algerian protesters accept ailing president’s offer for reforms?
Against a background of growing dissent, Algeria’s ailing president has confirmed his intention to run in April’s elections; however, whether a commitment to reform and a fresh vote within the year, delivered by proxy, will be enough to quell protest remains uncertain.

Eight years on, how is Morocco recovering from Arab Spring?
The popular protests demanding political reforms eight years ago in Morocco have turned into social movements.

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 82, is facing the country’s strongest protest movement in years, with demonstrators accusing his government of widespread corruption and urging him to step down.

The protests started after the president announced he would run for a fifth term in office. In response, he pledged to undertake reforms and step down after the next elections. But it does not appear to have quelled the angry demonstrations, as some protesters have accused him of simply maneuvering to buy time.

The plan “will find my successor in a manner incontrovertibly peaceful, free and transparent,” he said. He also pledged to organize a national referendum for “a new constitution which will mark the birth of a new republic and a new Algerian political system.”

Bouteflika has made very few public appearances since suffering a stroke in 2013, fueling speculation the Algerian government is being run by a cadre of his senior advisors and generals behind the scenes.

Former Algerian minister resigns from parliament amid electoral protests
A former minister from Algeria’s ruling National Liberation Front resigned on Monday from parliament and as member of the NLF amid ongoing demonstrations against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s re-election bid for a fifth term. Sidi Ferroukhi, who previously served as minister of agriculture, said he made his decision in solidarity with the protesters, though he did not single out Bouteflika by name. Nonetheless, he said Algeria is going through exceptional changes that require leaders to listen to people’s demands. The ailing 81-year-old Bouteflika has not addressed the country in six years and has vowed to step down after one year should he win re-election in April. Read More 

Egypt holds talks on Libya elections with Algeria and Tunisia
The foreign ministers of Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria met in Cairo on Tuesday to discuss Libya and the need to hold elections to stabilize the divided country. The ministers also addressed efforts to unify Libya’s state institutions, including the army. The meeting comes after Libya’s internationally recognized government in Tripoli and the rival government close to Khalifa Hifter in the east agreed last week to hold elections. Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj of the UN-backed government said on Tuesday elections would be held by the end of the year.
Separately, the Egyptian army conducted military exercises near the Libyan border. Libya’s volatile security situation has allowed arms and militants to pour into Egypt. Read More 

Tunisia schedules third elections since 2011 revolution
Tunisia’s electoral commission announced Wednesday that it will hold parliamentary elections in October and the first round of presidential elections in November. The elections will be the country’s third since the 2011 Jasmine revolution. Prime Minister Youssef Chahed broke away from the ruling Nidaa Tounes party in January, forming Tahya Tounes after months of feuding with Nidaa Tunes leader Hafedh Caid Essebsi, who is President Beji Caid Essebsi’s son. Read More 

BBC: NO ARAB SPRING FOR ALGERIA

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AL-JAZEERA: THE ARAB SPRING RETURNS HOME

Threat Update and recommended reads:
Tens of thousands of Algerians are demanding political change in a direct challenge to the regime.

Algeria’s Bouteflika warns of 'chaos' as protests against his rule intensify
Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika warned protesters rallying against his run for a fifth consecutive term of “chaos” as thousands took to the streets today. The ailing 82-year-old president sent the letter, carried by state news agencies, from Switzerland where he has been convalescing since last month. The letter warned of infiltration by any “treacherous internal or foreign group” that “may lead to sedition and chaos and resulting crises and woes.” Algerian lawyers and doctors joined the protests Thursday, demanding to know who signed off on Bouteflika’s medical certificate needed to run again. The president has vowed to step down after a year should he win re-election. Read More 

SAUDI'S DOUBLE DOWN ON YEMENI CIVIL WAR WITH IRAN; RIYADH PLAYS AN OLD ANTISEMITIC GAME AGAINST ISRAEL

3/2/2019

IRAN'S NUCLEAR ARCHIVE LIVE

ENGLANDS MI6 HITS IRAN, AGAIN

WHY THE WARSAW CONFERENCE MATTERS

In his November 14, 2018 column in the Al-Riyadh daily, Saudi writer ‘Abdallah Bin Bakhit wrote sarcastically that whoever wants to understand “the Jewish conspiracy against the world” must acknowledge the reasons for the Jews’ success in the West and the reasons for the Arabs’ backwardness there. – Middle East Media Research Institute

Elisa Catalano Ewers and Nicholas Heras write: H.J. Res. 37 is a rebuke of the Saudi- and Emirati-led coalition’s prosecution of the war – which has caused the world’s worst current humanitarian crisis – and the U.S. role in supporting the coalition’s military activities. […]Beyond the serious undertaking of addressing the U.S. role in the Yemen conflict, the resolution has other strategic potential if Congress pursues it constructively. Review of this legislation and continued oversight work may succeed in sparking a sustainable debate on the future role of the United States in Yemen’s conflict, the U.S.-Saudi and U.S.-U.A.E. relationships, and more broadly, on the proper role of the United States in the Middle East and its conflicts. – Center for a New American Security

PALESTINIANS ARE FAILING THEMSELVES & WHY THE GOLAN MATTERS IN US-ISRAELI RELATIONS

3/2/2019

WHAT'S BEHIND THE PARALYSIS OF PALESTINIAN POLITICS

PA AUTHORITY CAPTURES HAMAS TERROR CELL

PA PROTESTORS WANT ABBAS TO STEP DOWN

PALESTINIANS CONTINUE SOCIAL POLITICAL POLICY OF 'PAY-FOR-SLAY'.

New Legislation Aims to Recognize Israeli Sovereignty over the Golan

HOW ISRAEL WINS: DANIEL PIPES
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FRAGILITY & FAILURE
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CIVILIAN LED APPROACH: THE LONG WAR
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US: THE LONG WAR GAME
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America's Anti-Colonial Wars Abroad
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RETHINKING EGYPT'S ECONOMY
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EGYPT: CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS, ECONOMY
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AFRICA'S POST COLONIAL ERA ENDING
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AFRICAN ARAB SPRING

AFRICAN ARAB SPRING
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ISHMAEL IS NOT FATHER OF ARABS

ISHMAEL NOT FATHER OF ARAB CIVILIZATION
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DEFEATING SECTARIANISM IN MIDDLE EAST

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SECULARISM, NATIONALISM, ISLAMISM: MAKING MODERN MIDDLE EAST
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CHANGING DYNAMICS OF SALAFI JIHADI MOVEMENTS

FOREIGN AFFAIRS - THE ARAB SPRING @ 5
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BIN SALMAN & THE REFORM OF SAUDI ARABIA
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NATIONAL INTEREST, ARAB SPRING
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FOLLOWING VISION 2030

HOOVER; ISLAMISM

MEF RADIO LIVE

SECTARIANISM MIDDLE EAST.pdf
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THE PAKISTAN READER

ARAB SPRING & POLITICAL REFORM
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ISRAELI NEWS NETWORK

THUCYDIDES & THE LONG WAR PROBLEM

250 YEARS OF AMERICAN IRREGULAR WAR

AEI - CRITICAL THREATS PROJECT: SALIFI JIHADI MOVEMENTS GROWING

ABBAS MILANI HOOVER PAGE: IRAN & U.S. RELATIONS

HOOVER INSTITUTION BLOG ON THE NEAR EAST

JEWISH INSTITUTE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY OF AMERICA

FATA PAKISTAN RESEARCH CENTER

ISRAELI NUCLEAR POSTURE & DOCTRINES

CONTAIN, DEGRADE, DEFEAT: PLAN FOR MIDDLE EAST

THE PLAN TO DEFEAT THE ISLAMIC STATE & al-QAEDA

CENTER FOR SECURITY, REGIONAL STUDIES, KABUL

AfPak POLICY OPTIONS

ISLAMISM & INTERNATIONAL ORDER

HOOVER INSTITUTION PUBLICATION ON U.S. NEAR EAST POLICY

Israeli Security & Gulf States

PRINCIPALS GUIDING US POLICY IN MIDDLE EAST

HOW ISRAEL WINS

FREE BOOKS ON MIDDLE EAST

AEI: GLOBAL JIHADI THREAT & BEYOND

HOOVER: OPERATIONAL GUIDE FOR THE LONG WAR

THE ETTINGER REPORT: U.S. ISRAELI RELATIONS

GOOGLE NEWS PAKISTAN

HOW TO WIN WORLD WAR IV

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE LONG WAR

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