Archive for June, 2009

"To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved" -- George MacDonald From the commitments exchanged between a man and his wife, to those that are exchanged between nations, trust is the cement that adheres all human relationships together. When assurances are given in good faith, the most valuable currency that could bind any commitment is not a signature on... »

Lieberman, McCain, Graham Announce Legislation on Information and Internet Freedom in Iran Senators Pledge to Strengthen Broadcasts to Iran, Help Iranian People Find Freedom Online WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senators Joseph Lieberman (ID-CT), John McCain (R-AZ), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) announced today that they will introduce bipartisan legislation after the July 4 recess to expand television and radio broadcasting into Iran... »

An absolute must read in today's Wall Street Journal by Eliot Abrams: Despite fervent denials by Obama administration officials, there were indeed agreements between Israel and the United States regarding the growth of Israeli settlements on the West Bank. As the Obama administration has made the settlements issue a major bone of contention between Israel and the U.S., it is necessary... »

"Dictatorial regimes and their behavior are a phenomenon that must be confronted constantly... It is very important to explain and stress over and over again that people fighting for human rights are not doing this just for themselves, but they are opposing the humiliation of individuals wherever they may be"---Vaclav Havel, Former Czech President At this point, we are still unsure... »

From EMET advisory board Member Caroline Glick, comes this article about the opportunity presented to Israel to support the Iranian Revolution now in the streets, despite all of the many reasons to doubt Mousavi and what a Mousavi government might be: The fact of the matter is that with each passing day, Mousavi's personal views and interests are becoming increasingly irrelevant.... »

The Hamas-Fatah civil war simply can no longer be ignored as a real impediment to peace. It is erroneous to think that this point, that there is a single Palestinian entity with which negotiations could be held.  As Palestinian Media Watch demonstrations with this video (h/t Atlas Shrugs) in which Fatah points to Hamas brutality against them: Interestingly, it seems like... »

I thought this interview with Henry Kissenger (H/T Hot Air)  regarding the subject of Iran's protests was worth watching. He does make the point that Mousavi was not pro-western when he was prime minister under Khomeini, but that these protests are very much striking at the confidence of the theocratic regime. It only runs about five minutes, so it's worth... »

EMET Advisory Board Member and Director of the Middle East Forum, Daniel Pipes, expands on his remarks from EMET's recent conference at the Heritage Foundation, on the subject of the New Cold War in the Middle East: A cold war is "the key to understanding the Middle East in the 21st century." So argue Yigal Carmon and three of his colleagues... »

A lot has gone on since I've last checked in with you here. But of most crucial importance I think is probably events as they are now unfolding in Iran. I think its fair to say few expected this in the aftermath of the Iranian Election.  According to The International Business Times (h/t Jihad Watch) seven people are now dead... »

In the punishing sun of the Middle East one is often prone to seeing desert mirages. The climate of the desert is so much harsher than what we find it easy to wrap our minds around, here in the West. The average temperature in Riyadh in the summer is approximately 104 degrees. Without protection, one can easily be scorched. The seventeenth... »