Implications of Turkey Cutting Military Ties with Israel on a Larger Scale
After Erdogan made a grand speech about rethinking Turkish-Israeli ties, Erdogan officially lowered diplomatic relations and suspended all military ties with Israel last night and this morning. Turkey, still rightfully upset with Israel, has decided to put some action behind their words and do this move. But what does the move intend to do? Is … Read more
Legal Implications on the Palestinian Bid in September and More…
As has been discussed by me in two parts (here and here) the Palestinian move at the UN in September is more a showcase than a real thought out political move. Each side has its reasons discussed in the two articles so I will not reanalyze these, but just add a few points. The first … Read more
Thoughts on the Palestinian Bid in September
There are many potential narratives already being conjured up for the Palestinian bid for recognition in September at the United Nations. The Palestinian leadership is going around the world asking for states to vote in favor of recognition with the rights that come with it. The Israelis are doing whatever they can to stop this … Read more
Thoughts on Libyan Nation Building After Qaddafi
James Dobbins and Frederic Wehrey have an article up at Foreign Affairs discussing the role of western governments in post-Qaddafi Libya. It is clear that Libya will be facing severe challenges as it tries to build a nation from scratch; a lack of institutions, competing tribal militias, and the potential for an insurgency movement, … Read more
Is There a Link Between the 2003 Invasion of Iraq and the Arab Spring?
Abe Greenwald certainly thinks so. As Matt Duss points out, Greenwald’s piece in Commentary is just another effort to create a false conclusion about the war. From Greenwald: It was the Freedom Agenda of the George W. Bush administration—delineated and formulated as a conscious alternative to jihadism—that showed the way. Indeed, the costly American nation-building in … Read more
Turkey’s Syrian Waiting Game
In contrast to Iran and Saudi Arabia, Turkey has been far more patient in its policy towards Syria and the Syrian uprising. Meanwhile Iran has completely backed Assad and Saudi has thrown its lot in with the protesters. Each decision has clear regional implications (as I recently discussed) based on national interests, but it seems … Read more
Dear Mahmoud Abbas, Here is a Better Plan for September
Mahmoud Abbas in his infinite wisdom is still due to ask the United Nations and its member states to recognize Palestine as its 194th country. As has been said before, this is not the platform at this present time to discuss exactly what legally should happen. Instead I wish to dwell on something Mahmoud Abbas … Read more
How Much is Libya Costing the US?
Well, let’s go ahead for a second and forget the fact that the international intervention in Libya has followed the predicted route: western bombs have propped up a divided and disorganized rebel movement, created an interminable stalemate and removed any credible threat the west had towards other abusive regimes (I’m looking at you Syria). Just … Read more
Walt Sounds Off on US Congress
Upon hearing that 20% of the US Congress would be spending their summer recess in Israel on a trip paid for by the American Israel Education Foundation despite the ridiculous economic crisis at home, Stephen Walt lets loose on the “Greatest Elected Body That Money Can Buy”: Just when you think your contempt for Congress … Read more
Should the Plan for Syria be to Repeat Our Blunders in Libya?
It is always nice to see that we have learned something from our failed adventures in Libya. For example, apparently it is a good idea to do the same thing in Syria: Washington should step out smartly and call for his exit, withdraw its ambassador, choke off all remaining direct, indirect and, to the extent … Read more
