Middle East Politics.Net » U.S.

Former President Carter Meets with Exiled Hamas Leader

pshapiro — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:33:57 +0000

Late into the hours on Sunday, former President Jimmy Carter met with Khaled Meshaal, the militant leader of Hamas who lives in exile in Damascus, Syria. We know that the major issues discussed in that meeting include the fate of Gilad Shalit who was kidnapped by Hamas back in the summer of 2006 and has been held captive ever since. The 2^nd issue is a broader negotiation for peace. There has been a six-month ceasefire that has by and large held in Gaza. That peace agreement ends this week. We will have to wait and see how that plays out. Jimmy Carter’s last meeting with Meshaal was in April. When he returned to the United States, he was under great criticism from the Bush administration, which called the meetings unhelpful. The United States classifies Hamas a terrorist organization.

Paul Shapiro

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President Bush Dodges Questions, Shoes At Iraqi Press Conference

freundli — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:54:22 +0000

“So what if the guy threw his shoes at me?” questioned President Bush in the wake of an attempted assault in Baghdad. In the midst of a surprise final visit to Iraq, an intrepid Iraqi reporter, later identified as “Shoeless” Muntadar al-Zeidi, abandoned his objective journalistic stance and let his unconventional footwork do the talking as he alternately flung both shoes at the American President. Although considered a grave affront to dignity in the Muslim world, the subtle severity of the foot-based insult failed to translate across a deep cultural divide; “I don’t know what his beef is,” the President remarked, citing the “unusual” move as “a sign of a free society.” The President displayed remarkable reactions and feline-like agility when he dodged the full pair of flying footwear. The barefoot assailant was quickly swept off his feet by startled bystanders and searched from head-to-toe for any remaining projectiles. In what will surely be regarded as one of the most bizarrely comedic missteps of the Iraq War, the President downplayed the significance of the bipedal terrorism and sidestepped most questions relating to the incident, choosing instead to focus on the continued need for American boots on the ground. Given the recent decision of the Iraqi Assembly, this drastic increase in shoe-related violence comes at an inopportune moment for the Americans, who find themselves in the awkward position of having one foot out the door, while the other remains firmly planted in Iraq.

Zack Freundlich

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Syria on Stage Again

sanajong — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:48:42 +0000

As Syria steps onto the main stage again and foreign dignitaries are eager to do business with its president, Bashar al-Assad, is it necessary or fair for the West, under pressure from Israel, to continue to demand that it break ties with Hamas and Hezbollah?

If these are legitimate and recognized political parties in the Middle East –what legal grounds do we have in order to make such demands?

Sade San A Jong

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Damascus and Washington

sanajong — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:46:03 +0000

Syrian top officials praise president-elect Obama’s choice of Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State. They see in this Obama’s seriousness for achieving peace in the Middle East. Progressive liberals back home however, who have backed the Obama candidacy for President are not happy with his choice. Of course, they too want peace in the Middle East, as stability there would provide stability around the world, especially in the United States. In addition, Obama plans to rescind the Syria Accountability Act and send a US ambassador to Syria in 2009.

What do you think are the positives that we have to look forward as a nation in terms of relations with the Middle East now that Hillary Clinton is our new secretary of state?

And what do you think about the young president-elect’s willingness to allow Syria to play again on the national stage?

Sade San A Jong

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Obama and Syria

sanajong — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:54:55 +0000

In this age of a shift in power in the United States, our President-elect has made the worrisome—and perhaps wise decision–to appoint many familiar names and faces to his new administration. In doing so however, he must be careful not to make the same mistakes of his predecessors. In respect of the Middle East, he must be bold enough to realize the real problems that lie between the region’s fragile nations and Israel. In addition, he must end the scapegoating of Syria and take the reins of the main dispute between Israel and Palestine.

Is President-elect Obama strong enough and willing to do this?

Will he confront Israel in an effort to ease US tensions with other Middle Eastern nations, and perhaps ultimately bring Palestine and Israel to real peace?

Or will the President-elect focus on more mundane and superficial tensions such as Syria and Israel?

Sade San A Jong

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Iraq Finally Approves US Security Pact

hackenda — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 07:20:29 +0000

The Iraqi government took the last step toward accepting the security agreement with the United States today. The three-person Presidency Council finally approved the pact, which was ratified by Iraqi Parliament last week. The main condition of the pact mandates the withdrawal of US troops from the country, with the last of them completely out by the end of 2011.

Ironically, the approval came on a relatively violent day in Iraq, compared to recent activity in the state. Currently, some of the most vicious attacks are occurring in the city of Fallujah, notorious for violence earlier in the war between the US and Iraq, and considered the heart of Sunni insurgency efforts. Control of Anbar Province, where Fallujah is located, was handed over to Iraqi security forces three months ago, because the US troops considered the security situation to be adequately improved. In the months to come before the end of 2011, it will be important to take note of how the security situation evolves.

Haley Hackendale

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Hezbollah in Lebanon Confident of Victory

sdemetri — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:44:23 +0000

Hezbollah has declared its confidence that it will be victorious in Lebanese elections next year. Currently, the militant group is a minority only by a slim margin, and Hezbollah senior officer Nawaf al Mussawi has asserted that victory in next year’s elections is well within sight. A major point of tension is the relationship between Lebanon and Syria, the nation that militarily occupied Lebanon until the controversial 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Hezbollah, which is backed by Syria and Iran, lies in direct contradiction to the current Sunni majority’s anti-Syria platform. The elections are a further concern to a much wider international community, as it will pit Hezbollah, backed by Syria and Iran, against the US-supported Sunni majority. The US in particular is no doubt concerned by the possibility of Hezbollah coming to power: Washington considers the group a terrorist organization. Despite such political tensions both within Lebanon and beyond its borders, Hezbollah has pledged to remain committed to national unity. Said Mussawi, “We want to make it clear from now that we will want to establish a national unity government…No one can lead Lebanon on his own and without consensus.”

Stefanie Demetriades

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Obama’s Defense Secretary Prepares For Future

freundli — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:16:05 +0000

With the status of forces agreement passed, members of the Obama administration are turning their attention towards the future of American involvement in the region. Secretary Gates has expressed his support for the incoming President’s plan of action in Iraq, citing the fact that the timeline is firmly established. Given the withdrawal deadline now looming large, military strategists have a limited amount of time to stabilize and prepare Iraq for full military and sovereign independence. Come January, we may see a more clear strategic picture of regional and global stability centered on developments in Iraq.

Zack Freundlich

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US and Saudi Arabia Sign Technology Agreement

brgordon — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:48:33 +0000

On December 2nd, officials from the US and Saudi Arabia signed a science and technology cooperation agreement that includes nuclear technology. Prince Torki bin Saud, vice president of the King Abdul-Aziz City did not indicate whether the document specified the peaceful use of nuclear technology. US officials hope the agreement will create more cooperation between agencies in the fields of science and technology, “strengthen traditional ties of friendship, sharpen shared visions for a better world and sustain [the US and Saudi Arabia’s] determination to work together for the common good.”

Brandie Gordon

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US and Saudi Arabia Sign Memorandum of Understanding

boyunliu — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:03:41 +0000

Tuesday, Dec 2, 2008, the US and Saudi Arabia formalized a decades-long cooperative relationship with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The MOU would facilitate greater agency-to-agency cooperation and provide increased access for scientists of both nations in areas such as material sciences, water purification, and education methods.

This agreement brings the relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia to another level and further consolidates US influence in the Kingdom.

Bo-yun Liu

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