The Arab Spring and the Fall of Hezbollah
The links between Hezbollah and the Bashar al-Assad regime are tight and very well known. Consequently, Hezbollah members are watching the situation in Syria very closely, as the fall of Assad would deprive the group of one of its most important backers (Iran being the other). Thanassis Cambanis and Nicholas Noe wrote two pieces in … Read more
The Danger of Flower Throwing
In response to the news that US ambassador to Syria, Robert Ford, was welcomed by flower-throwing protesters when he visited the city of Hama on Thursday and Friday, Mustapha, of the Beirut Spring Blog, recalled the fickle nature of flower throwers: in 1982, Lebanese southerners greeted the invading Israeli army with flowers. While this seems … Read more
The Importance of Being Turkey
A while back I penned a piece highlighting the growing importance of Turkey both within the Middle East and for the United States. The country has the unique position of being both a NATO member with a strong democratic government as well as a popular regional leader that has fostered close ties with nearly all … Read more
When NATO’s Non-War Ends
As US President Obama tries to convince the country that the military action in Libya is not technically a war (why only Libya?), it is beginning to seem as though the intervention in the North African country may be coming to an end. The rebels are beginning to march towards Tripoli under the protection of … Read more
Iran’s Position On Syrian Uprising
Since the outbreak of the now termed “Arab Spring” protests across the Arab World Iran has been actively supporting the protestors in their media except in two cases. The first and not as important case is Libya, which seems to stem more from a disdain of Western policy regarding the issue than a liking of … Read more
Libya, Institutions, and War
“Libya is an artificial colonial creation. But unlike other colonial entities, it lacks the social fissures and historical grievances that have led to sectarian or ethnic violence in places like Lebanon, Iraq, and Afghanistan.” So says James Pack who is convinced that the overthrow of Qaddafi will be followed by a relatively peaceful transition to … Read more
The Day of Martyrs Answers No Questions
Seven more Syrians died yesterday at the proclaimed ‘Day of Martyrs’ throughout Syria, bring the total number of dead to 75 since the clashes began in earnest two weeks ago. Yesterday, protests were held in the Damascus suburb of Douma, Al Sanameen, Daraa, Latakia, Homs, Baniyas and Kamishli. Meanwhile, for the first time, the Kurdish communities … Read more
Libya: Like Iraq or Somalia?
I’ll be mostly linking today as I am pretty busy, but just to play catch up for a moment: Obama spoke to the nation, justifying the American involvement in the war (Sullivan covers some reactions to the speech here). Yet as Obama spoke about the necessity of acting, it seems more and more clear that … Read more
Too Little Too Late or Just Too Little?
I can’t seem to stop talking about the debate over western military intervention in Libya. Though, to be fair, neither can anyone else. As those loyal to the regime push further east, it seems as though the debate over a no-fly zone (NFZ) has transformed from a question over “if” to “if its worth it.” … Read more
Quick Notes on Saudi Arabia
While all the hoopla has continued throughout the Middle East, Western media has focused (as have I) in on the situation in Libya, as it is more a war zone than a simple sea of turmoil. Consequently, protests and uprisings in other countries have been left alone. Michael Collins Dunn reminds us of the revolutionary … Read more
