Hellish day in Baghdad

A disaster of biblical proportion in Baghdad killed more than 700 Shiites conjuring images of hell

Democracy and Demagoguery

Democracy in the Arab world will be put to the test once again as Egyptians make their way to the ballot box to see if democracy can replace demagoguery.

Iran's missiles

Iran's Revolutionary Guard commander met secretly with A.Q. Khan, the father of Pakistan's atomic bomb, in order to acquire nuclear-capable missiles with a range of 1,800 miles, according to former MeK officials.

Moqtada Sadr's comeback

- While Iraq`s Shiites, Kurds and Sunnis continue to haggle over the fine print of the constitution two weeks behind schedule and after three failed attempts, intra-Shiite disharmony has taken a turn for the worse.

The Aqaba attack

Khaleej Times
The Aqaba attack
BY CLAUDE SALHANI
ALTHOUGH they failed to hit their intended targets, last week’s triple rocket attack in Jordan’s southern seaport of Aqaba is a frightening development of terrorism — and not democracy — spreading beyond Iraq’s largely unguarded borders.

Is Libya seriously reforming?

The Libyan leader, once considered to be the black sheep among Middle Eastern leaders, is now turning a lighter shade of gray.

Terrorists strike in Jordan

The attempted rocket attack in Aqaba is a matter of grave concern.

Middle East Road Map at a Crossroad

A wrong turn in the Middle East Road Map could take both sides backward, possibly toward renewed violence.

The Gaza challenge

BY CLAUDE SALHANI

19 August 2005


DAMOUR, before the Lebanese civil war, was a pleasant little town on the Lebanese coast situated about half way between Beirut and Sidon. It was known as a pit stop for travellers heading to or from Beirut, a quiet place where they could pick up sandwiches, bananas and lemonade. After the war it became known as a favourite stomping ground of the Israeli air force out to retaliate for Palestinian attacks against its positions in northern Israel.

Is it a victory for Hamas?

Will Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip ironically be claimed as a unilateral victory by Hamas?

The Rolling Stones gather criticism

Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones suddenly find themselves delving into geopolitics -- and big-time criticism -- with the release of their latest album; one which the Bush White House finds none too amusing.

Iran Plays a Dangerous Game

Iran is playing with fire on two fronts.

Iraq's constitutional pains

The drafters of Iraq's constitution are having a hard time.

Fighting the war in Iraq and a wish list in Washington

BY CLAUDE SALHANI
10 August 2005
Khaleej Times
(for full story, click on above link.)

ADDRESSING the American Legislative Exchange Council in Grapevine, Texas, last Wednesday, President Bush told them he has "a strategy for success in Iraq." That should be welcome news. The country could use a good strategy in Iraq right about now, given recent developments. The total number of deaths in the US military in Iraq has reached the 1,800 mark. The Iraqis, of course passed that number a long time ago. But who’s counting?

Iran Plays a Dangerous Game

Al-Qaida's state-of-the-art weapons

Ayman al-Zawahiri appeared on a videotape last week with a state-of-the-art modern gun made in either China or North Korea.

Bush's Bizarre Strategy

President Bush said he has a strategy for Iraq.

A nuclear Iran?

Latest U.S. intelligence find Iran now a decade from being able to manufacture key ingredients allowing it to build a nuclear weapon.

New King in Saudi Arabia

Saudi King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz died Monday sending oil prices soaring over $61.02 a barrel.

What exit strategy for Iraq?

Despite statements that progress is being made in Iraq, the truth is, it really ain't.