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looking beyond borders

foreign policy and global economy

Archive for the tag “Syria”

02 Jul 2017

The Ottoman Collapse And The Modern Middle East

It is the business of the counterfactual historian to yearn for the former Ottoman Empire when reflecting on the recent incessant regional instability. However, the fact that the empire was in free fall from 1798 onward makes a mockery of this view. Nevertheless, from Libya to Yemen, and Syria to Iraq, conflict typifies the ruptures that are still haemorrhaging from the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the Middle East just under a century ago.

Read Here – Arab News

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30 Jun 2017

A Cold War Turning Hot In The Middle East

The Cold War in the Middle East between Saudi Arabia and Iran is coming to a head. So far carried out with the help of proxies in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and elsewhere, it’s in danger of turning into a military confrontation between the two regional powers.

Read Here – RealClearWorld

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07 Jun 2017

The Arab World Has Never Recovered From The Loss Of 1967

It may be difficult for the Arabs of today to seriously reflect on the meaning of the defeat they suffered 50 years ago, given their current calamitous predicament. A half-century ago in the free sanctuary of Beirut, Arabs engaged in introspection and self-criticism, seeking to answer the central questions of their political life: What went wrong, and how did we reach this nadir? That unique moment of guarded hope and promise lasted but a few years.

Read Here – Foreign Policy

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05 Jun 2017

If Trump Wants A Fight In The Middle East, Iran Will Give Him One

The ability to influence events outside its borders through proxy groups is both the central factor of Iran’s alienation and its most vital strategic asset. Solving that paradox would require a shift in the Islamic Republic’s overarching political and ideological agenda.

Read Here – Foreign Policy

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23 May 2017

Saudi Arabia’s Dream Of Becoming The Dominant Arab And Muslim Power In The World Has Gone Down In Flames

The attempt by Saudi Arabia and Gulf oil states to achieve hegemony in the Arab and Sunni Muslim worlds has proved disastrous for almost everybody. The capture of east Aleppo by the Syrian Army and the likely fall of Mosul to the Iraqi Army means defeat for that the Sunni Arabs in a great swathe of territory stretching from Iran to the Mediterranean.

Read Here – Independent

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22 May 2017

Rouhani’s Victory Is Good News For Iran, But Bad News For Trump And His Sunni Allies

The Saudis will be appalled that a (comparatively) reasonable Iranian has won a (comparatively) free election that almost none of the 50 dictators gathering to meet Trump in Riyadh would ever dare to hold

Read Here – Independent

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21 May 2017

Saudis Give Trump A Reception Fit For A King

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, May 20, 2017, for the start of their overseas visit to Saudi Arabia, Israel, Rome, Brussels and Taormina, Italy. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)

President Donald Trump had to travel to someone else’s kingdom to get the respect he has always craved. From his airport greeting by King Salman of Saudi Arabia — a courtesy that was never extended to his predecessor, President Barack Obama — to the military flyover and cannons that accompanied his descent from Air Force One, to a lavish cardamon coffee ceremony and medal presentation at the Royal Court, the American president was treated like a real-life king.

Read Here – Politico

Also Read: Saudi-US arms deal includes plans for 150 Lockheed Martin Blackhawk helicopters

 

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07 May 2017

US And Russia: Future Friends Or Eternal Enemies?

The future for the US-Russia relationship after the American attack on a key Russian ally is, like Trump himself, hard to predict. Many observers believe that outwardly, Putin is feigning anger at the move but will be patient, recognising Trump’s current difficulty in moving towards a closer relationship in view of the scrutiny he is under at home.

Read Here – Ranconteur

Posted in Diplomacy and tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment
27 Apr 2017

Can Erdogan Juggle Trump And Putin At The Same Time?

Erdogan, Trump and Putin share common traits, which undoubtedly feed their feelings of affinity toward one another. All three are diplomatically unorthodox populists who are outspoken in their views. All three are impulsive and equally disliked internationally. This, however, doesn’t portend a three-way match made in heaven.

Read Here – Al-Monitor

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27 Apr 2017

The Arab World’s American Savior Complex

America has learned few lessons from repeated failures and dire consequences of its interventions, from Iraq to Afghanistan to Latin America, but those in the region who look to the United States for salvation have short memories, too.

Read Here – Foreign Policy

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