Israel-Palestine, International Affairs
geoffrey aronson
Violence in Gaza Today Captures the Attention ...

More than 1,400 have been wounded in clashes between Palestinian protesters and the Israeli military. The media has barely noticed.

Gaza is back in the headlines, grabbing, if only for a moment, the fickle international spotlight. The two million Palestinians living in the 141-square-mile spit that hugs the Mediterranean have no such luxury. 

Israel-Palestine
geoffrey aronson
The way forward for Palestine: Fatah, Hamas, ...

As Palestinians confront U.S. President Donald Trump’s “deal of the century,” the debilitating effect of endemic, internal division within their ranks continues to define their domestic political landscape. 

Syria
geoffrey aronson
In the Turk-Syrian-Kurd Dance, the U.S. Has Two ...

A new play for nationalism may be leaving America without a partner.

It should be no surprise that Washington’s Syrian Kurdish allies—who have long had daggers drawn and pointed at our fellow NATO member Turkey—are now reconciling with our Syrian enemy President Bashar al-Assad.

Lebanon, Israel-Palestine
geoffrey aronson
Lebanon and Israel's Precarious Peace

The latest evidence of the evolving nature of the war in Syria was on display Saturday, Feb. 10, when Israel mounted what a senior Israeli officer called “the biggest and most significant attack the air force has conducted against Syrian air defenses” since the 1982 Lebanon war. The unprecedented encounter was precipitated by the intrusion of an Iranian drone into Israeli airspace and led to the downing of a top-of-the-line Israeli F-16 by Syrian air defenses.

U.S. Policy, Israel-Palestine, International Affairs
geoffrey aronson
Trump’s Middle East ‘Deal of the Century’ ...

The rub: After the confetti falls, Palestinians won't be able to exercise true sovereignty, anywhere.

Donald Trump’s promise of “a deal of the century” to end the conflict between Israel and the Arabs is getting legs. After a year of discussions led by Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, the main elements of the president’s design are coming into view. But it’s not exactly what the Palestinians want to see.

Syria

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Idlib understandings set the stage for next battle

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Turkey and the US have failed to isolate jihadi forces from those of the legitimate opposition, despite commitments to do so.

The long-anticipated, epic battle to determine who rules in Syria’s Idlib province has been postponed. The agreement between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan does not resolve the contest between Syrian President Bashar Assad and the rapidly dwindling opposition. Rather, it represents an important chapter in the shaping operations by all contestants to maximise their fortunes as the Syrian endgame unfolds.

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Trump’s Middle East ‘Deal of the Century’ Creeping Into View

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The administration is trying to wish Palestinian refugees away in order to serve hardline Israel interests.

President Donald Trump’s much-delayed “deal of the century” is creeping into view.

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Russia Has Become an Unusual Broker in Golan Heights 2.0

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The long-disputed territory between Syria and Israel found its way onto the dais in Helsinki. Here's why.

A Syrian fighter jet was shot down Tuesday afternoon by the Israeli Air Force, which claimed the plane had penetrated Israel’s airspace near the Golan Heights. Syrian officials say the jet crashed in southwestern Syria, and was hit while engaged in raids in their airspace over an area known for ISIS activity.

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Is Washington Playing Iran’s Useful Idiot in Syria?

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Apart from the lingering campaign against ISIS, the U.S. effort there is imploding while Tehran holds the cards.

Washington has been on the offensive against the Islamic Republic of Iran for close to half a century. Largely as a result, Iran, a rounding error in the superpower sweepstakes, has gone from strength to strength, challenging American power throughout the region, most notably in Iraq and Syria.

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Washington Couldn’t Beat Assad, So It Will Punish His People

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A coalition of spoilsports is withholding aid until the regime goes. It's ordinary Syrians who will suffer.

The bombs continue to fall over Syria to the consternation of all concerned. Syrian president Bashar al-Assad warns of a conflict on Syrian soil that will embroil Israel, Iran, and Russia. “Things,” he says, “could spin out of control.”

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CENTCOM Commander Admits Failure in Syria Strategy

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Appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee this month, CENTCOM commander General Joseph L. Votel set about talking straight on Syria. Votel, in a colloquy with Senator Lindsey Graham that was refreshing for its brevity and candor, acknowledged that the principal ambition of U.S. policy towards Syria—the removal of President Bashar al Assad at the behest of a motley assortment of Islamist and reformist oppositionists—has failed.

 

In the Turk-Syrian-Kurd Dance, the U.S. Has Two Left Feet

A new play for nationalism may be leaving America without a partner.

It should be no surprise that Washington’s Syrian Kurdish allies—who have long had daggers drawn and pointed at our fellow NATO member Turkey—are now reconciling with our Syrian enemy President Bashar al-Assad.

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Israel and the Syria Conflict – Challenges and Opportunities

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After more than six years, hundreds of thousands of casualties, and untold billions in economic costs, the endgame defining the future role of Hezbollah and Iran in Syria has begun. A Russian-Iranian-Turkish entente is establishing the diplomatic, territorial and operational infrastructure aimed at marginalizing and isolating irreconcilable elements militarily and expanding both the circle and effectiveness of intra-Syrian “reconciliation” efforts to enlarge and consolidate the reconstitution of state authority throughout the country.

Our ‘Enemies’ Are Winning Syria’s Future

Assad is set to prevail with Russia, Iran and China benefitting, too.

Syrian president Bashar al-Assad is well on the road to a military victory over his numerous enemies. A coalition of Syrian government, Iranian, Lebanese, and Russian forces now control upwards of 80 percent of the country, signaling an approaching end to the six-year war.

 

Featured Analysis

Analysis
gaza.jpg
Israel-Palestine, International Affairs
Violence in Gaza Today Captures the Attention of…No One
Israel-Palestine, International Affairs

More than 1,400 have been wounded in clashes between Palestinian protesters and the Israeli military. The media has barely noticed.

Gaza is back in the headlines, grabbing, if only for a moment, the fickle international spotlight. The two million Palestinians living in the 141-square-mile spit that hugs the Mediterranean have no such luxury. 

Israel-Palestine, International Affairs
gaza dahlan.jpg
Israel-Palestine
The way forward for Palestine: Fatah, Hamas, and Dahlan
Israel-Palestine

As Palestinians confront U.S. President Donald Trump’s “deal of the century,” the debilitating effect of endemic, internal division within their ranks continues to define their domestic political landscape. 

Israel-Palestine
tillerson-plane.jpg
Syria
In the Turk-Syrian-Kurd Dance, the U.S. Has Two Left Feet
Syria

A new play for nationalism may be leaving America without a partner.

It should be no surprise that Washington’s Syrian Kurdish allies—who have long had daggers drawn and pointed at our fellow NATO member Turkey—are now reconciling with our Syrian enemy President Bashar al-Assad.

Syria
Lebanon, Israel-Palestine
Lebanon and Israel's Precarious Peace
Lebanon, Israel-Palestine

The latest evidence of the evolving nature of the war in Syria was on display Saturday, Feb. 10, when Israel mounted what a senior Israeli officer called “the biggest and most significant attack the air force has conducted against Syrian air defenses” since the 1982 Lebanon war. The unprecedented encounter was precipitated by the intrusion of an Iranian drone into Israeli airspace and led to the downing of a top-of-the-line Israeli F-16 by Syrian air defenses.

Lebanon, Israel-Palestine
trump-netanyahu.jpg
U.S. Policy, Israel-Palestine, International Affairs
Trump’s Middle East ‘Deal of the Century’ Coming Into Focus
U.S. Policy, Israel-Palestine, International Affairs

The rub: After the confetti falls, Palestinians won't be able to exercise true sovereignty, anywhere.

Donald Trump’s promise of “a deal of the century” to end the conflict between Israel and the Arabs is getting legs. After a year of discussions led by Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, the main elements of the president’s design are coming into view. But it’s not exactly what the Palestinians want to see.

U.S. Policy, Israel-Palestine, International Affairs
palestinians.jpg
U.S. Policy, Israel-Palestine, International Affairs
How Trump Gave a Green Light to Israel’s ‘One State Solution’
U.S. Policy, Israel-Palestine, International Affairs

Netanyahu's hardline government is using the U.S. embassy move to expand and strengthen settlements, ending any prospect for peace.

Annexationists of all stripes are crowing about Donald Trump’s blockbuster decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem.

U.S. Policy, Israel-Palestine, International Affairs