There is an old Arabic proverb: “My brother and I against my cousin, but my cousin and I against the stranger.” It didn’t hold true in Iraq for long.
After Six Years of War, Iraq’s Future Remains Clouded
Tag Archives: syria
Mini-summit aims to smooth Arab differences
The leaders of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Syria will meet in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for a mini-summit designed to improve relations between the countries, according to a Saudi government official who did not want to be identified. The three leaders are Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and Saudi King Abdullah. The source said “an open invitation” has been issued “for the leaders of any Gulf country and the leader of Jordan to attend the summit.” There has been tension between Saudi Arabia and Syria over Syria’s ties to Iran, its support for militant groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, and allegations over Syrian links to the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Analysis: Engaging Syria carries potential risks, rewards
The practice of dealing with your enemy has a name; it’s called realism.
Will Clinton’s Overture Get Iran to Cooperate?
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s announcement that Iran would be invited to a summit on Afghanistan has been greeted as a possible icebreaker in the tense relationship between Washington and Tehran. Iran is weighing whether to accept the invitation, its foreign minister said Friday, and will deliver its response next month. The overture should be consistent with the new Washington ethos: seeking Iran’s cooperation on stabilizing Afghanistan — a goal both sides desire — can help end the nuclear standoff between the two countries
Iraq’s Unspeakable Crime: Mothers Pimping Daughters
She goes by “Hinda,” but that’s not her real name. That’s what she’s called by the many Iraqi sex traffickers and pimps who contact her several times a week from across the country
U.S., Syria find ‘common ground’ in diplomatic talks
The United States and Syria found a lot of "common ground" on which to cooperate in the Middle East, the State Department’s top Middle East official said after talks in Damascus. But envoy Jeffrey Feltman on Saturday warned to “keep expectations in check” as Washington and Damascus re-engage after several years of strained relations.
Clinton Schmoozes in Israel at the Right Length
The game among Israeli aides yesterday was checking their wristwatches to see how much time U.S.
Clinton Courts Syria, but Will Israel Play Ball?
For a disputed border crossing between two warring nations, the snowy hillside town of Majdal Shams is pretty quiet. There have been no major battles in the Golan Heights since the 1973 October War, when the Syrian army nearly recaptured the town from Israel, which had occupied the territory in the 1967 war. Instead of hostile fire, all that passes across the border these days are apple harvests and the occasional bride.
U.S. on Palestinian government: Hamas is sticking point
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U.S. resumes diplomatic talks with Syria
The State Department’s top Middle East official will meet next week with the Syrian ambassador to the United States as part of what senior administration officials call a resumption of diplomatic dialogue with Damascus after nearly four years. Jeffrey Feltman, the acting assistant secretary for the Near East, requested a meeting with Ambassador Imad Moustapha, according to State Department spokesman Gordon Duguid.