All Backchannels
One year after Osama bin Laden's killing, Al Qaeda is in tattersWhile his murderous ideology persists in pockets of the Middle East and beyond, Al Qaeda as it was understood after Sept. 11 has failed.
Israel security establishment goes where US politicians fear to tredDisagreements in Israel over whether to attack Iran have erupted into the open. In one corner, the Netanyahu government. In the other, a number of Israeli security officials.- Ahead of elections, Egypt's state propaganda machine rolls onEgypt's government paper Al Ahram was the central arm of state propaganda during the reign of Hosni Mubarak. Ahead of elections, it's taking aim once again at Egypt's Islamists.
- Reform and rumblings in JordanThe Hashemite Kingdom has weathered the past year of regional political upheaval surprisingly well. But the resignation of the prime minister is a reminder of unmet demands for change.
- Egypt 'necrophilia law'? Hooey, utter hooey.'Necrophilia law'? Don't believe everything you read on the Internet, kids. At least until there's like, you know, some proof.
Israel legalizes three more West Bank settlement outpostsThe decision, which is part of a broader settlement expansion, could pave the way for similar legalizations. Prospects for meaningful peace talks just grew dimmer.
Adel Imam, Egypt's favorite funnyman, dodges a bulletAdel Imam, arguably Egypt and the Arab world's most famous comedic actor, had his conviction for 'insulting Islam' overturned today. But another was upheld earlier this week.
The hawkish bits of VP hopeful Marco Rubio's foreign policy speechSenator Marco Rubio's foreign policy speech yesterday, taken by many as part of a campaign to be Mitt Romney's running mate, points to a politician who favors foreign interventions.
Israeli army chief says he doubts Iran will build a nuclear weaponIn an interview with Haaretz, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Benny Gantz acknowledged the threat of a nuclear Iran but said Tehran wasn't likely to go there, citing its 'rational' leadership.
After Formula One scrutiny, Bahrain hires a fan of Saddam Hussein to improve its imageWell, nothing else is working.- Israeli ties with Egypt strained by transition?Though Egypt and Israel insist the decision to end a gas sales contract wasn't political, it's hard to see annulling the largest ever contract between the two countries as anything but.
Egypt's cancellation of gas sales to Israel was inevitableThe gas pipeline had long drawn complaints of Mubarak-era corruption, popular anger at Israel, and the failure of commercial dealings to improve Egypt-Israel ties.
Teargas on democracy protesters? Bahrain Grand Prix sponsors say 'no problem'It appears the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix scheduled for this weekend will go on, despite the use of tear gas and rubber bullets on protesters there. Advertisers don't appear worried about any backlash.
When Assange meets Nasrallah, you learn the most about AssangeJulian Assange, the embattled Wikileaks leader, started his new chat show with an interview of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Afghanistan: overinterpreting the Kabul attackA coordinated attack in the heart of Kabul - which coincided with attacks in three other provinces - isn't a good thing. But sign of imminent defeat or victory? Hardly.- Egypt's ad hoc transition planLeading Egyptian presidential candidates have been tossed out of the race, distrust of Egypt's military rulers is rising, and the timeline for writing a new constitution has been tossed out the window.
Coup predictions: Africa doesn't look as volatile as you might thinkRecent coups in Mali and Guinea-Bissau don't amount to a big continental shift, according to a new statistical analysis.
Good Reads: No cyber-utopia for activistsActivists in Syria and elsewhere may find it ever easier to connect online. But the governments that want to thwart them are watching.- Fear not!Reality isn't as scary as some would like us to believe.
Did Libya's revolution topple Mali into crisis?Maybe, but the Tuaregs have longed for independence for decades, and Mali's security has been declining for years.
