US Foreign Policy

For the first time in US History, Sympathy for Palestinians has overtaken Sympathy for Israelis among Democrats

US sympathy for Palestinians at unprecedented level as Israel’s image is hit ( Middle East Monitor ) – For the first time in US history, sympathy for Palestinians has overtaken sympathy for Israelis among Democrats, according to the latest Gallup poll. Nearly half of Democrats — 49 per cent — have greater sympathy for Palestinians […]

China

Juan Cole: The Meaning of Historic China-Brokered Deal Between Saudi Arabia and Iran (Robert Scheer Interview)

Juan Cole

Transcript of Interview from Scheerpost , where you can also find the audio if you want to listen to the interview. Host: Robert Scheer | Producer: Joshua Scheer | – Transcript Robert Scheer: Hi, this is Robert Scheer with another edition of Scheer Intelligence, where the intelligence comes from my guests and someone I’ve had […]

Iraq

Two Decades after the US War on Iraq began, the disastrous Consequences of the Conflict are still being Felt

Michael Jansen

Michael Jansen ( The Irish Times ) – The US war on Iraq, launched 20 years ago on Monday, became a significant turning point for the eastern Arab world due to the fall of a third key country from the regional front designed to secure the sovereignty and independence of the region. […]

China

Under Pressure At Home And Abroad, Tehran Gets ‘Breathing Space’ From Iran-Saudi Deal

Golnaz Esfandiari

( RFE/RL) – I’m RFE/RL correspondent Golnaz Esfandiari. Here’s what I’ve been following during the past week and what I’m watching for in the days ahead. Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to reestablish diplomatic relations, seven years after the regional foes cut formal ties. In a statement issued on March 10, Tehran and Riyadh […]

Bush

20 Years Ago, the Bush Administration Launched the Iraq War: Juan Cole: “I Have a Bad Feeling About This”

Juan Cole

To mark the 20th anniversary of the Iraq War, here are some brief blog entries Juan Cole made in the run-up to the war expressing caution and pessimism about the triumphalist rhetoric issuing from the White House and many US news organizations. Juan Cole 01/28/2003 (Remarks delivered in late 2002). The Journal of the International […]

China

China is Front and Center in Saudi-Iran Agreement, as Israel’s Plan for United Front against Tehran Collapses

Middle East Monitor

By Mohammad Makram Balawi ( Middle East Monitor ) – The agreement signed between Saudi Arabia and Iran under Chinese auspices on 6 March aroused much interest in the Arab world, the Middle East and the world in general. It came after a diplomatic break between the two countries in 2016, with a […]

China

Turkey’s China Partnership: Is Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative not Delivering Enough?

Global Voices

BRI is not just about trains: telecommunications and energy are key Written byEmre Demir Screenshot from CGTN YouTube channel showing high-speed railway connections built with Chinese investment in Turkey ( Globalvoices.org) – Turkey has strong economic relations with China and is one of the very early partners of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). […]

Israel

Is Netanyahu’s Extremist Gov’t driving a Wedge between Israel and the U.S.?

Middle East Monitor

Dr Adnan Abu Amer AdnanAbuAmer2 ( Middle East Monitor) – The US has announced that it will not participate in a conference in Washington DC for senior economists because Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the leader of the Religious Zionist Party, will be there. Even though he has been granted a diplomatic […]

China

Saudi-Iran deal won’t bring Peace to the Middle East but will enhance China’s role as Power Broker

The Conversation

By Simon Mabon, Lancaster University | – (The Conversation) – After more than four decades as seemingly implacable enemies on either side of a deep political-religious divide in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and Iran have agreed to restore diplomatic relations and reopen embassies. The deal, which was signed in Beijing, comes seven years after […]