The Middle-East Observer
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‘Enough is enough,’ Turkey’s FM Davutoğlu tells Israel
Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, lashed out at Israel over it’s (in Davutoglu’s opinion) uncompromising stance on key issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. ”Enough is enough. Longer the Palestinian-Israeli issue remained unresolved, greater the price peoples of the region including Turkey pay. Israelis should decide on they want,” Davutoglu told a Washington D.C.-based think thank. Davutoglu urged … Continue reading
Italy, France recall Syrian ambassadors for consultations
Italy and France have recalled their ambassadors to Syria as the Assad regime’s crackdown on protesters, and the shelling of the city of Homs, continues. The move follows Britain’s recalling of its ambassador for consultations and the American closure of its embassy in Damascus. The increased pressure comes as efforts to condemn the Syrian regime … Continue reading
No trouble in region: Turkey to Israel, Iran
Turkish officials are cautioning against the use of military force, wherever it originates, in the ongoing standoff between Iran and the West. Ankara’s worries that the conflict over Iran’s nuclear program becomes an armed one are rooted in a desire to stabilize the region. In recent weeks, the conflict has escalated, with stronger sanctions placed … Continue reading
Hard-line Israeli settler challenges Netanyahu for ruling Likud Party leadership
A hard-line leader of the Israeli settler movement, Moshe Feiglin, is challenging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming Likud primary elections. Feiglin, a settler himself, is adamantly opposed to the prospects of a two-state solution, claiming that there should not be a “terrorist state” in the “heart of the land of the bible.” Instead, Feiglin supports … Continue reading
Opinion: Women have been an essential component of the uprising in Syria
Women, to the disbelief of many critics, have been an essential component of the uprising in Syria, says Rime Allaf. Critics claim that women have been absent from the uprising, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. While they were, by default, absent at the beginning (most protests began in mosques), women have taken … Continue reading
Israeli hacker team brings down Iranian websites
An Israeli hacker team, who refer to themselves as IDF (Israel Defense Force) Team, have hacked into, and brought down, two websites belonging to Islamic Republic’s Ministry of Health and Medical Education. The hackers say their actions are in retaliation for a series of hacking attacks launched against Israel which began in early January, when an … Continue reading
Analysis: Turkey challenges Iran in Somalia
Turkey’s newfound increased interest in Somalia, often regarded as a “failed state,” is not founded merely on the intense humanitarian disaster underway in the country; there are geopolitical aspirations, as well. Somalia’s strategic location on the Horn of Africa promises fantastic benefits for future trade deals. A more subtle cause of Turkey’s increased interest, though, is to counter Iran’s aggressive efforts … Continue reading
Report: Saudi Arabia to recognize Syrian National Council
Saudi Arabia will recognize the Syrian National Council, according to Saud al-Faisal, the Saudi Foreign Minister. The Syrian National Council serves as the main opposition group, composed of exiles and based in Istanbul, Turkey. It is also in command of the Free Syrian Army, a group made of defected members of the Syrian military which has … Continue reading
Barghouti sent to isolation after Israel comments
Marwan Barghouti, the jailed Palestinian leader, was sent to solitary confinement as a result of the remarks he recently made, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society. The former secretary-general of Fatah in the West Bank is widely considered as a potential successor to Mahmoud Abbas as President of the Palestinian Authority, but is serving five life sentences … Continue reading
Israel presents the Palestinians with its stance on borders
Israel has presented the Palestinians with its position on borders for what would be a Palestinian state, in accordance with the Mideast Quartet’s January 26 deadline. It marks the first time the current Netanyahu government has agreed to discuss the future parameters of a Palestinian state. Molho, Netanyahu’s envoy, presented Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian … Continue reading
Report: Attempt on life of Israeli envoy to Azerbaijan thwarted
Azerbaijani media has reported that three locals who were arrested last week had been paid and were under the instruction of Iranian intelligence to kill the Israeli Ambassador, as well as a teacher and a rabbi from the Chabad school. The foiled attack may have been an act of revenge by Iran, who has been … Continue reading
The badly kept secret of Israel’s trade throughout the Muslim world
A poorly kept secret has been quietly breaking legal and customary norms throughout the Middle East’s economy. Israeli products are everywhere, albeit disguised. In one instance, an Israeli business knowingly sold internet surveillance and monitoring equipment to Iran, which is prohibited under Israeli sanctions, and shipped their product to Denmark, where it underwent repackaging to hide its … Continue reading
Syrians cope with profound economic crisis as regime tries to crush revolt
As the Assad regime continues to violently repress the 10-month old uprising, it is struggling to contain the damage done to the Syrian economy. In line with the government’s public statements throughout, the regime is blaming terrorists and foreign conspiracies for the severe economic woes. The economic devastation has penetrated the lives of multiple segments … Continue reading
Israel condemns Palestinian cleric over sermon
Speaking at a rally celebrating the 47th anniversary of Fatah’s founding, the Mufti of Jerusalem, Mohammed Hussein, read a traditional text attributed to Mohammed: ”The hour of judgment will not come until you fight the Jews. The Jew will hide behind the stone and behind the tree. The stone and the tree will cry, ‘Oh Muslim, Oh … Continue reading
U.S. military chief in Israel for talks on Iran
The United States’ top military official, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey, visited Israel and held talks with his counterparts on Friday in an effort to coordinate responses to Iran’s perceived aggression, as well as other policy matters. The move comes amid growing concern that Israel would move to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities independent … Continue reading
Meshal will not seek reelection; analysts say reason is growing gap between Gaza-based Hamas and exiled leaders
Hamas leader, Khaled Meshal, has notified the Hamas leadership that he will not seek reelection. Palestinian analysts claim that the move is due to a growing rift between Hamas’ Gaza-based leader, Ismail Haniyeh, and Syria-based Khaled Meshal. Meshal’s recent statements have been in support of a reconciliation deal with Fatah and have hinted at the acceptance … Continue reading
Turkey’s Kurds could shun the PKK and rise up similar to Arab Spring, brother of jailed PKK leader says
Turkey’s Kurdish population, which makes up as much as 20% of the country’s more than 72 million people, are fed up of broken promises by Turkey’s government and by the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK), which Turkey, along with the United States and Europe, considers a terrorist organization, according to the PKK’s jailed leader’s brother. The … Continue reading
Hamas, Islamic Jihad debate joining forces
Hamas and Islamic Jihad, the two principal Palestinian Islamist movements, are holding talks “at the highest level” in an effort to merge the two factions. According to an Islamic Jihad spokesperson, the efforts at reconciliation are in the interest of the Palestinian cause and the future of the Palestinian liberation movement. “An in-depth dialogue has … Continue reading
Analysis: Possible way out for Syrian regime
In the face of massive unrest at home, international condemnation for its handling of the unrest, and rumors of foreign intervention, the Assad regime may have a way out, says Osama Al Sharif. The Arab League’s weak monitoring mission, the United States’ distractions in an election year, Europe’s dealing with a fiscal crisis, and Russia … Continue reading
Iranian Revolutionary Guard could be planning attack in Turkey
Intelligence sources are warning that the Qud’s Force, a special unit within Iran’s Revolutionary Guard that is known for its overseas operations, is planning a series of demonstrations and attacks within Turkey. It is believed that the U.S. consulate general and embassy are potential targets for a bomb attack. These reports, if true, could demonstrate … Continue reading
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