Revolution in the Arab World
The Arab world is in shock as the dictator of Tunisia has fallen in the blink of an eye. There was no sign of impending doom for President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, who was in power for 23 years. Yet, an attempted suicide by one 26-year-old sparked riots that led to his downfall, showing every Arab dictator how fragile their rule really is. [more...]
Ahmadinejad Presses His Luck
Last month, Iranian President Ahmadinejad began phasing out subsidies of fuel and other essential commodities, despite popular outrage from inside and outside the government. Iranians of all social classes are now suffering and workers are going on strike, causing the country’s most intense turmoil since 2009. [more...]
Engaging Assad
President Obama is sending Ambassador Robert Ford to Syria in a recess appointment, avoiding a political fight in Congress over his confirmation. This effort to "engage" the Baathist regime is likely to make Bashar Assad laugh as the U.S. pursues a futile effort to draw Syria away from Iran. [more...]
Manufactured Jihad
The February 2006 riots following the publication of cartoons mocking the Prophet Mohammed in a Danish newspaper killed over 100 people and showed the West the danger of offending Muslim sensibilities. New documents obtained by WikiLeaks now show that the Syrian government was actively stoking these flames as a way of frightening its enemies, winning its own credibility in the Muslim world and discouraging the West from promoting democracy in the Middle East. [more...]
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