Reviving colonialism

While the U.S. military invasion of Iraq remains a highly debatable an entire collection of failed states begs the question if outside military intervention by former colonial rulers -- or by the world's sole remaining superpower -- might not at times prove beneficial, even outright desirable.

Syria's plan for Lebanon

Is Syria living in the past, trying to revive defunct tactics?

Iran's role in Iraq

Political analysts believe that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's task is to aggressively push forward an agenda consisting of three action points. Proceed with the nuclear program, export the revolution and establish a foothold in neighboring Iraq.

Iran -- The what if scenario?

What if Israel and/or the United States decided to carry out military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities? What are the likely consequences?

Israel able to destroy Iran's nukes

Israel's Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz said Iran's nuclear program "can be destroyed." He made the comments during a conference at Tel Aviv University, Israeli Army Radio reported.

Iran's nukes represents the greatest political risk in 2006

Risking escalating the crisis into a major fight with Western powers Iran removed U.N. seals on its uranium enrichment equipment, announcing it will resume nuclear research. Meanwhile a Washington lobby group calling for regime change in Tehran said Iran now has 5,000 centrifuge machines for installation at the Natanz nuclear facility.

Assad feels the pressure

Feeling pressure from the United Nations, the United States and the European Union - particularly France -Syrian President Bashar Assad made a surprise visit to for Saudi Arabia Sunday, hoping that words of wisdom from King Abdullah could help diffuse the rising tension.

President Assad seeks help from Saudi

President Bashsar Assad flew to Saudi King Abdullah Sunday to try and resolve the crisis spawned by the killing of former prime minister Rafik Hariri. Following accusations by former Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam, insinuating that President Assad could have been implicated in Hariri's assassination, the United Nations committee investigating the murder has asked to question both Assad and his foreign minister Farouk Shara.

Ariel Sharon's legacy

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon leaves the political stageafter having fought for war and peace with equal vigor.

Is a Syrian government in exile feasible?

Former Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam is planning to form a government-in-exile with help from Ali Duba and others.

Casualties rise among media in 2005

Iraq turned out to be the world's most dangerous country for the media: 24 journalists and 5 media assistants were killed, according to the Paris based media watchdog group, Reporters Without Borders.

Does the US have plans to attack Iran?

Amid the uncertainties in the Middle East there are three sure things.

First, that Iran will continue to build its nuclear weapons. Second, that Washington not allow the Islamic republic to pursue its nuclear dream. And third, Iran will build its nuclear weapon system.

Showdown between Syria and Khaddam

Will the defection of former Syrian Vice President Abdel-Halim Khaddam bring about the downfall of President Bashar Assad?

Syria's Khadddam creates tsunami in Damascus

An interview given by former Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam Friday to al-Arabiya TV insinuating that Syria played a role in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and that President Bashar Assad should have known about it is causing a political storm in Damascus.

The Middle East, another year and still no democracy

Another year has been kept out of the Middle East, though not entirely. Turkey has made great strides as it gets ready to join the European Union - some time in the next decade or so, despite its Islamist-leaning government Ankara is implementing reforms. And Cyprus while still divided, is now part of the European Union. Well, at least the Greek half of the island.

Past and future predictions for the Middle East

Political analysts tend to go out on a limb and predict how U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East will fare over the next 12 months. This year I thought it would be interesting to compare past predictions, before making future prediction.

How Christmas has become un-PC

It's around this time of year when the American chapter of the Taliban awakens and becomes most active. Yes, little boys and girls, they do exist, even in the land of the free and the home of the brave! (And of the Braves, too.)

I am talking about the ultra-orthodox, the extremists, the politically correct polizei -- or in plain English -- the PC police.

Is Eurasianism an alternative to the EU?

For 50 years Turkey has been hoping to enter the European Community and for 50 years Brussels has been playing hard ball. for almost 50 years now. Finally,now the Turks are told they might be allowed into the EU, but only after an intense negotiation period of 10-15 years, during which time the Turks will be analyzed and scrutinized to make sure they finally comply with all the demands set forth by Brussels.

Meanwhile, Russian President Putin is pushing Eurasianism," said Zeyno Baran, director of the International Security and Energy Programs at the Nixon Center, a conservative think tank in Washington.

President Bush's strategy for victory in Iraq

The Bush administration claim that since the fall of Saddam Hussein, the Iraqis have had three elections, each one unfolding under better circumstances and with greater Sunni participation. Yet the reality is far from rosy. If Iraqis voted in larger numbers than ever, they voted according to ethnic divisions. Early returns indicate that divisions among Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds is greater than ever.

Syriana blurred lines

"Syriana," the new political thriller starring George Clooney, doesn't quite succeed in explaining the phenomenon behind the rise of Islamist terrorism -- and its weapon of choice, the suicide bomber.