NATO

The ruins following the 2018 American-led bombing of Homs. (Fathi Nizam/CC BY 4.0)

After Syria strike, showdown looms over the future of the Iran nuclear deal

The success of a coordinated military strike on Assad’s chemical weapon stockpiles actually bodes well for the Iran nuclear deal. By Shemuel Meir Western powers made good on their warning to the Assad regime on April 14, 2018, and attacked the production and storage sites of the chemical weapons in his possession. The coordinated, wide-ranging operation by the United…

By +972 Magazine April 22, 2018

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry meets with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Amman, Jordan, June 29, 2013. (Photo by State Dept.)

Abbas must seek recognition from UN, not U.S.

Since entering negotiations with Palestinians last July, Israeli policies have only led to a deeper entrenchment of the occupation. Now, Abbas must listen to left-wing Palestinian parties and put an end to peace talks. By Uri Weltmann Dancing the tango with a cactus is a bad idea. Not only are you dancing by yourself, you’re…

By +972 Magazine March 18, 2014

Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at the opening plenary of the World Economic Forum June 2012( World Economic Forum CC BY-SA 2.0)

The Iranian nuclear standoff: Where does Turkey stand?

Despite its leaders’ efforts to broker an agreement, Turkey seems to be accepting the possibility of an attack on Iran as a last resort. Now its priority is to prepare for that eventuality, so that a military conflict does not take it by surprise. By Aylin Gurzel FAMAGUSTA – Turkey has tried to broker negotiations between…

By +972 Magazine October 22, 2012

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Turkish tanks deploy towards the Syrian border near Akcakale, Oct 8, 2012 (photo: Roee Ruttenberg)

WATCH: Tensions mount on Turkey-Syria border

AKCAKALE, TURKEY — It has been nearly a week since a Syrian mortar shell landed on a Turkish home just across the border, killing five members of the same family. The incident brought a swift response from Turkey, and a promise by the government in Ankara that it would not hesitate to strike back, which…

By Roee Ruttenberg October 10, 2012

To liberate Syria, the West must curb its savior fantasy

While it is increasingly evident something must be done to stop the violence in Syria, the history of intervention in internal conflicts has shown there are no quick fixes. Western powers must realize that in order to liberate Syria all they can do is help the Syrians help themselves. By Yoni Eshpar | From Hebrew:…

By +972 Magazine March 5, 2012

Israel should stand by Syrian rebels

Israel’s Foreign Ministry recently recommended that the government denounce the killing of Syrian civilians, and call for Bashar Assad to be removed from power. According to a report by Barak Ravid in Haaretz, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has adopted this position. At the time, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was against it, claiming that such statements…

By Noam Sheizaf March 4, 2012

President Obama (photo: Wikimedia Commons)

The “Obama Doctrine:” A blessing or a curse for the conflict?

The end of the Gaddafi regime in Libya proved that U.S. President Barack Obama’s doctrine of “leading from behind” was a success. But the Obama Doctrine is not only a new approach to war – it extends to foreign policy on the whole, and therefore has already begun to affect the Israeli-Palestinian conflict When U.S.…

By Ami Kaufman October 26, 2011

CNN coverage of Gaddafi killing (source: CNN broadast, 20 October 2011)

Deposed Libyan Leader Gaddafi killed

Colonel Moammar Gaddafi ruled the North African country with a strong grip for more than four decades. He was repeatedly accused by leaders in the West of supporting terrorism, not least of which included the bombing of a U.S commercial passenger airliner over Lockerbie, Scotland. On Thursday, mobile phone footage showed the bloody body of…

By Roee Ruttenberg October 20, 2011

Netanyahu will have the last word in Washington

Call it a delicate balance of diplomacy, or a dance between two apparently opposing sides. The Obama Shuffle involves first a sway to the left then a sway to the right, one step forward, then one step back. And hop, hop, hop hop hop. And stop. (Now you try!) The past 72 hours have shown…

By Roee Ruttenberg May 20, 2011