The Middle-East Observer
Middle-East
Focus: Arab doctors historic meeting held in Gaza
Dozens of doctors from all over the Arab world arrived in Gaza for the first ever meeting of the union’s general secretariat in the Palestinian territory. Press TV, Iran About these ads
Amr Moussa’s vision for Egypt could upset military
Former Arab League secretary-general Amr Moussa is a top contender for the presidential seat in Egypt’s new-found democracy. In a recent interview, he said that the military, under his leadership, would be one of the basic institutions in Egypt and not a separate one with its own rules which the military has enjoyed under Mubarak’s regime. He … Continue reading
Israel’s Vice PM: Fall of Assad could weaken Mideast ‘axis of evil’
Israeli Vice Prime Minister and Strategic Affairs Minister Moshe Ya’alon said on Sunday that Israel has not been, and will not be interfering in the current Syrian crisis. He furthermore said that he did not expect a Muslim Brotherhood regime to take over in Syria, but that it would rather be a relatively moderate Sunni … 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
Iran ‘trying to attack Israeli targets in retaliation for scientists’ deaths’
In the past year, three attempted attacks from Iran on Israeli targets (in Turkey, Azerbaijan and Thailand) have been thwarted, according to Yoram Cohen, the head of the Israeli security agency (Shin Bet). Cohen said that Iran’s attempted attacks on Israelis come as a reprisal for the four Iranian nuclear scientists that have been assassinated in the … Continue reading
Freed Palestinian prisoners adapt to Qatar exile
Last year, more than a 1,000 Palestinian prisoners were released by Israel, in return for the release of Israeli soldier Sgt Gilad Shalit. About 40 of those prisoners have been forced to leave the country for they are seen as a continuing security threat by Israel. The article portrays one of those prisoners, 47-year old … Continue reading
Opinion: Should oil be used as a weapon?
The writer of this article, Linda S. Heart, discusses the option of using oil for political purposes. Until now, OPEC (which controls 79 percent of the world’s crude oil reserves) has refrained from using its oil as a tool to manipulate the outcome of certain conflicts. Saudi foreign ministers have been quoted repeatedly saying that … Continue reading
Interview: Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar
As Iran braces itself to face the effect of fresh Western-imposed sanctions, Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar discusses how the current standstill is influencing affairs inside the country. Russia Today, Russia
Analysis: Hamas chief’s visit to Jordan marks culmination of Arab Spring aftermath
Taylor Luck writes that the visit of Hamas chief Khaled Mishaal to Jordan is a “diplomatic and strategic necessity” for the Jordanian authorities, according to observers. Analysts see Hamas’ visit to Jordan as a direct result of a year of uprisings in the Arab world. With the strong popular support for Islamist movements in Arab … 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
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
Debate: Is the Middle East on the verge of cyber war?
Guests: Nikki Moore, a technology writer and expert on internet security; Dave Clemente, a researcher with the International Security Programme at Chatham House; and Abdullah Schleifer, a professor of journalism and senior fellow at the Center for Journalism at the American University in Cairo. Al Jazeera, Qatar
Interview: Steven Kull, Director of the Program on International Policy Attitudes
As tensions grow over Iran’s nuclear ambitions with US sanctions against Tehran’s central bank and recent missiles tests by Iran, Steven Kull explains why he hopes that the Middle East could still become a nuclear weapons-free zone. France24, France
Poll: Arabs want Syria’s President Assad to go, but most Syrians don’t
An opinion poll conducted in December found that while 81% of Arabs want Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to resign, 55% of Syrians do not want him to step down The Doha Debates, Qatar Click here for the full story
Relations with Israel could help Pakistan, says former president Musharraf
In his first interview with an Israeli newspaper, former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf tells about Pakistan-U.S. relations, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and how he would solve the Arab-Israeli conflict. Haaretz, Israel Click here for the full story
Analysis: The Sunni-Shia War
The prospects of a Sunni-Shia war are dangerous and real, but the roots behind it are hardly religious. Rather, they are the result of a complex political power-struggle. Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey Click here for the full story
Opinion: Is the Shiite Crescent a myth?
King Abdullah of Jordan received much criticism when he said in 2004 that the Arab countries had been surrounded by a “Shiite Crescent.” Now, as the waves of the Arab Spring begin to hit the shores of Syria, the Iran-Iraq-Syria-Lebanon axis is becoming more obvious. Today’s Zaman, Turkey Click here for the full story
Factbox: Arab Spring momentum in Middle East, North Africa
The latest details of the revolts in the Middle East and North Africa and their aftermath. Reuters, United States Click here for the full story
Gaza’s Hamas leader launches Muslim world trip
Gaza’s prime minister left the territory Sunday on his first trip abroad since his militant Hamas movement seized power in June 2007, hoping to improve ties with Muslim countries swept up in the uprisings convulsing the Arab world. Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh’s deputy, Mohammed Awwad, said the Gaza leader would visit Egypt, Sudan, Qatar, Bahrain, Tunisia … Continue reading
Analysis: A New Hamas in the Making?
Reports claim Hamas is ready to renounce violence. This one dramatic move could transform the entire Middle East. The National Interest, United States Click here for the full story
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