Siriel-Media

Dempsey Told Israelis U.S. Won't Join Their War on Iran	more
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey told Israeli leaders Jan. 20 that the United States would not participate in a war against Iran begun by Israel without prior agreement from Washington, according to accounts from well-placed senior military officers.
U.S. Group Urges "More Credible" Military Threat Against Iran	more
The administration of President Barack Obama should take steps to make threats of a possible U.S. or Israeli attack against Iran more credible, according to the fourth in a series of studies released here Wednesday by a 13-man "bipartisan" task force dominated by Iran hawks.
MIDEAST: And At Last There Was Water	more
Only days ago, turning on the tap was cause for concern. Would there be running water? Now, it's reason for celebration.
MIDEAST: Censorship Changes Colours	more
Attempts by regimes in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to suppress the flow of information during the region's pro-democracy uprisings has led a higher number of journalists killed, attacked or arrested.
EU-IRAN: New Sanctions Aimed at Averting Wider Conflict	more
European countries are imposing unprecedented sanctions against Iran in part in hopes of preventing an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear installations that could further destabilise the Middle East and wreak havoc on the global economy.
EGYPT: Arab Spring Gives Way to Military Chill	more
When Egypt's dictator was ousted during a popular uprising last February, the military leaders who assumed control of the country pledged to "protect the revolution" and ensure a swift transition to civilian rule within six months. One year later, the ruling generals appear to have hijacked the transition to preserve the military institution's economic autonomy and secure their own political future.
EGYPT: A Year On, Tiring of Demonstrations	more
Several revolutionary groups are calling for mass demonstrations against military rule on Wednesday to coincide with the first anniversary of the January 25 uprising that ultimately toppled the Mubarak regime. But many express doubt the event will succeed in replicating last year's revolutionary fervour on the part of the masses, most of whom express a desire for stability and a smooth transition to democratic governance above all else.
MIDEAST: Into an Unsettled New Year	more
An elderly Palestinian woman spent last week on hunger strike to protest violent attacks by Israeli settlers. Hana Abu Heikel went on the hunger strike on behalf of her family after settlers burned the family car during the previous weekend. Since Israeli settlers moved into the houses surrounding the Abu Heikel family home in Hebron in 1984, the Abu Heikels have seen eight cars burned. Six vehicles were also smashed by settlers.
EGYPT: Islamist Parties to Abide by Camp David ? For Now	more
The Islamist landslide in recently concluded parliamentary polls has led to fears in some quarters of an impending paradigm shift in Egyptian foreign policy. Most local analysts, however, dismiss the likelihood of any sea changes, especially when it comes to the sensitive issues of Palestine and the Camp David peace agreement between Egypt and Israel.
U.S.: Worries Mount over Blowback of Israeli Attack on Iran	more
A former senior adviser on the Middle East to the last four U.S. presidents says that "the negatives far outweigh the positives" of war with Iran and the United States should augment Israel's nuclear weapons delivery systems to dissuade it from attacking the Islamic Republic.
EGYPT: Lending to Repression, Again	more
For three decades Western governments and lending institutions bankrolled a corrupt regime in Egypt that trampled human rights and stifled democracy. Now they appear ready to do it again, say critics of the military council that has ruled since removing president Hosni Mubarak last February.
MIDEAST: All Unclear on Nuclear	more
Blame for the shadowy war of attrition against Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear programmes usually prompts vigorous U.S. and Israeli denials of involvement, or self-imposed silence. Yet, the two allies risk being hoisted on their own ambiguity petard.
In Signal to Israel and Iran, Obama Delays War Exercise	more
The postponement of a massive joint U.S.-Israeli military exercise appears to be the culmination of a series of events that has impelled the Barack Obama administration to put more distance between the United States and aggressive Israeli policies toward Iran.
Egypt Follows Israel, Eyeing U.S. Aid Without Pre-Conditions	more
The United States, the largest provider of military aid to Israel, has rarely, if ever, succeeded in using its leverage to get the Jewish state to abandon its continued repression of Palestinians or halt illegal settlements in occupied territories.
MIDEAST: Flowers Fight Their Way Out	more
Ayman Siam, 41, is not growing carnations as usual this year. It's limonium and statice flowers instead because they are hardier. Given the risks of an Israeli blockade, it's a political decision.
MIDEAST: To Go On Talking	more
A second meeting of Palestinian and Israeli negotiators took place this week in Amman, Jordan, and expectedly bore no tangible result ? except for an agreed third round by month's end.
MIDEAST: The Olive Branch Fights Back	more
"During hard times, we have survived off olive oil," says Ahmed Sourani from the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committee. "During the last war many people who couldn't leave their homes had only bread and olive oil to sustain them for long periods."
EGYPT: Military Rulers Clamp Down on Civil Society	more
Raids on the Cairo offices of civil society organisations accused of receiving unauthorised foreign funds are part of a wider campaign by Egypt's ruling military council to silence its critics, say rights groups.
MIDEAST: Unwilling, Unable, Yet Talking	more
After a 15-month collapse, Palestinians and Israelis have met only to agree on sitting down face-to-face publicly once more on Friday. So far there is no breakdown, but no breakthrough either.
IRAN: Obama Seeks to Distance U.S. from Israeli Attack	more
President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are engaged in intense maneuvering over Netanyahu's aim of entangling the United States in an Israeli war against Iran.
EGYPT: Islamist Parliament Inevitable ?But Not Worrying'	more
Following another Islamist landslide in the second round of legislative polling, Egypt's first post-Mubarak parliament will likely see Islamist parties - especially the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) - calling the shots. While high-profile secular figures warn of looming "theocracy", many local analysts believe an Islamist-led parliament won't make any radical legislative changes.
ISRAEL: Triggering Tourism	more
Commandos embedded in a pristine touristic resort bordering Egypt and Jordan sounds unreal? Though theirs are borders of peace, it appears Israel's best defence against would-be Islamist militants isn't just a good fence. Crack fighters might help make better neighbours. And, better tourism.
Despite Initial Euphoria, Palestine Remains Grounded at U.N.	more
When Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the 193- member General Assembly in September, the rapturous welcome he received implicitly indicated the vibrant support for U.N. recognition of Palestine - if not in the Security Council, at least in the organisation's highest policy making body.
BOOKS: U.S., Iran Both Squandered Opportunities for D�tente	more
Veteran observers of U.S.-Iran relations know better than to be optimistic about the chances for reconciliation between the two countries. It has long been the pattern - indeed the curse - that when one side was ready to engage, the other was not.
ISRAEL: Exercising the Right to Torture	more
In a case that has highlighted Israel's abuse of Palestinian detainees, an Israeli military court recently acquitted a Palestinian man after it became clear that Israeli interrogators used excessive physical and psychological abuse as a way to coerce a confession from him.
MIDEAST: Some Comfort Fails to End Agony	more
Yousef walks barefoot into a children's room with four beds and points to a snoopy-blanketed bed by the window. "That's where I sleep," he says. A red remote-controlled toy racecar sits atop a new mini-laptop. The closet is full of clothes, a pot of soup simmering on the gas range in the spacious kitchen, and the wooden dining table is piled with seasonal fruit.
Security Council Remains Grounded by Political Manipulation	more
When Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin briefed reporters recently, he offered some biting criticisms of the growing political manipulation of the most powerful body at the United Nations: the 15-member Security Council.
Deadly Gas Enters the Arab Spring	more
Activists across the Middle East are reporting a mysterious toxin, possibly a banned nerve agent, in the thick clouds of tear gas used by security forces to suppress anti-government protests in recent months.
MIDEAST: Fighting Settlers' Impunity and Immunity	more
The outer stone walls of the unused 12th century Ayyubid mosque in the Israeli centre of the city carried the black scars of attempted arson and hatred. "Price tag", the signature read.
U.S.: Former Top Aide Offers Insight on Mideast and Iran	more
In his first public address since departing from the White House, Dennis Ross, former top Middle East aide to U.S. President Barack Obama, called for increased sanctions on Iran, a careful approach to new Arab regimes and a low-key approach to Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.