Politics of the Middle East

From a feature article by Karen Claussen: "The appalling views of present day Kabul that we see in the news couldn’t be farther from the city I knew in the late sixties. I was lucky to be a giggling teenager in a fascinating city that fed my curiosity a rich diet, in a culture of repression and cruelty side by side with piety and commerce, and most of all color." Read the entire article for a unique perspective of Afghanistan's capital city.

Dec 25, 2001 - Rick Francona

Saudi Arabia is consistently touted as one of America’s strongest allies in the Middle East – it is certainly one of the United States’ vital interests. How much of an ally are they? What if/when the war on terrorism extends to an Arab country, particularly Iraq? Can the United States count on the Saudis?

Dec 11, 2001 - Rick Francona

As the U.S.-led war against terrorism rages in Afghanistan, the United States has dispatched two envoys to the Middle East to try and revitalize the moribund Middle East peace process. They have their work cut out for them – the conditions in the area have not been this bad since the inception of the process in the aftermath of the Gulf War.

Nov 27, 2001 - Rick Francona

In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks and the ongoing American war on terrorism, much attention has been focused on Iraq and Saddm Husayn’s possible involvement. Many pundits have blamed the previous Bush administration for allowing him to remain in power after his military defeat in the Gulf War of 1991. What were the reasons the coalition did not pursue his removal from power?

Nov 13, 2001 - Rick Francona

In the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States and the subsequent American military operations in Afghanistan, the 24-hour Arabic-language news organization Al-Jazeera has featured prominently in media coverage. Western media have not been able to operate effectively in Taliban-controlled areas of Afghanistan, so coverage of the Qatar-based organization has become invaluable. However, what is the message Al-Jazeera sends?

Oct 23, 2001 - Rick Francona

Several Middle East analysts have pointed a finger at Iraq and Saddam Husayn as possibly having a hand in the September 11 and later anthrax attacks on the United States. Was the rogue leader part of the attacks on New York and Washington? Possibly, but it is the anthrax attacks that make him even more suspect.

Oct 16, 2001 - Rick Francona

The Taliban movement, born in Pakistani religious schools for Afghan refugees, has transformed from a model anti-corruption campaign to an ultra-conservative, ruthless militia controlling all aspects of life in Afghanistan. Catapulted to the attention of the world as the protectors of terrorist Usamah Bin Ladin, they are moving toward a confrontation with the United States and its allies.

Oct 2, 2001 - Rick Francona

The Arabic language, categorized as one of the four most difficult languages for English-speakers to learn, has caused numerous problems for American intelligence and law enforcement agencies. The problems have been exacerbated by a non-Latin alphabet and increasing reliance on automated information processing systems.

Sep 25, 2001 - Rick Francona

After almost a year, American officials in Yemen investigating the October 2001 terrorist attack on a U.S. Navy destroyer are no closer to making a connection to suspected mastermind Usamah bin Ladin. Just as the investigation following the bombing of a U.S. Air Force housing complex in Saudi Arabia in 1996, Arab states are not cooperating with the United States. Why not?

Sep 18, 2001 - Rick Francona

On September 11, the world's worst terrorist acts were conducted against the United States. The most likely suspect appears to be Saudi expatriate Usamah Bin Ladin. This is a repeat of an article written over a year ago - the information is appropriate even today.

Sep 12, 2001 - Rick Francona

On September 11, 2001, the United States was attacked by terrorists, resulting in horrendous loss of life as the twin towers of the World Trade Center collapsed after being struck by hijacked civilian airliners. A similar airliner attack was made on the U.S. Department of Defense at the Pentagon outside Washington, DC. Who is responsible? What will be done?

Sep 11, 2001 - Rick Francona

The Arab League was formed in the aftermath of the Allied defeat of Germany in response to calls for increased Jewish immigration into the area of the Palestinian mandate. Arab leaders, particularly the Egyptians, perceived that their interests in general and the Palestinian Arabs in particular were to be sacrificed to make up for European anti-Semitism and the Holocaust.

Sep 10, 2001 - Rick Francona

At over 5,000 miles, the Nile is the longest river system in the world, flowing from central Africa north to the Mediterranean Sea. It is the lifeblood of one of the key nations of the Middle East – Egypt. There are ten countries that can claim a part of the Nile basin, but the Nile is Egypt’s lifeblood. Although it has attempted to secure the unimpeded flow of the Nile’s waters through the country by treaty, Cairo has made it known that it will use military force if necessary to ensure access to the waters.

Aug 28, 2001 - Rick Francona

Bahrain, a group of tiny islands off in the Persian Gulf, has been a traditional – if albeit reluctant – ally of the United States, faces internal political problems. In an effort to provide political participation to the population, the Amir recently announced that he would reinstate parliamentary rule and declare Bahrain a kingdom by the year 2003.

Aug 14, 2001 - Rick Francona

The Israel-based news service DEBKA reported last week that Iraq had moved a substantial military force into Jordan and Syria en route to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and the West Bank. The news service also reported air engagements between Iraqi fighters and Jordanian and Israeli aircraft. These reports are doubtful at best and dangerous at worst.

Jul 31, 2001 - Rick Francona

American support for the establishment of Israel began during Work War I. The Balfour Declaration, a 1917 statement by the British government committing Great Britain to work for the establishment of a Jewish homeland, received the reluctant endorsement of American President Woodrow Wilson while the document was still in draft. In 1922, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution calling for a Jewish national homeland; President Warren Harding signed the resolution.

Jul 17, 2001 - Rick Francona

An American-British proposal to lift some of the United Nations economic sanctions on Iraq has met with strong Russian resistance. The proposal would permit the import of almost all consumer goods. If the “smart sanctions” were to be adopted, it would force Saddam to allow food and medicine to reach the Iraqi people and eliminate the regime’s biggest propaganda tool.

Jul 3, 2001 - Rick Francona

Not only is the Middle East holy to three of the world’s major faiths, each of these faiths have their own internal differences that spill over into the political situation. In Islam, the major difference is between the Sunni and the Shi’a. Shi’a Muslims are found throughout the region, with large concentrations in Iran, Iraq and Lebanon, and are a major political force.

Jun 19, 2001 - Rick Francona

The 1967 Six Day War was a watershed event in modern Middle East political history. Israeli forces seized the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, the West Bank (including Jerusalem) from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria. Perhaps more important than the military victory is the effect on the Israelis as a people, the change from underdog to occupying power.

Jun 5, 2001 - Rick Francona