Middle East

Talk of military intervention in Syria recalls Iraq debacle

February 7, 2012 By Susan Webb

The talk of covert action, "no fly zones," and military involvement via proxies has ratcheted up following the Russian and Chinese veto of a UN Security Council resolution.

Israel’s war on democracy (and why Americans should care)

February 6, 2012 By Conn Hallinan

Israel has always presented itself as "an oasis of democracy in a sea of despotism," an outpost of pluralism surrounded by tyranny.

“Bread, freedom, human dignity”: Mass protest returns to Tahrir Square

January 26, 2012 By Susan Webb

Hundreds of thousands rallied in Cairo's Tahrir Square and in other Egyptian cities Wednesday on the first anniversary of the Jan. 25, 2011, uprising that led to the ouster of dictator Hosni Mubarak.

Escalating conflict with Iran could spur disastrous war

January 13, 2012 By Jane Green

This situation, if not resolved, could lead to a conflagration of unimaginable proportions, with consequences that will reverberate throughout the Middle East and the world.

Gene Sharp has half a recipe for revolution

December 6, 2011

I first heard of Gene Sharp from a commentator on National Public Radio. He said that he had examined the "Arab Spring" upsurges in Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, Libya and Yemen.