Category Archives: Terrorism

The Syrian Background

Once considered the  heartland of the Arab world the Syrian nation was often spoken of as the linchpin of any agreement  between the Western nations and the Arab world. No peace with  Israel was possible unless the Syrians regime agreed…this … Continue reading

Posted in Arab Culture, Arab Military, Arabs, Communism and Fascism in Middle East, Cross-Culture, Iraq, Islam, Islamism, Middle East Politics, Military, muslim brotherhood, Syria, Terrorism, Uncategorized, Western media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Academia’s Twitter War with State Department over women’s status in Iraq’s tribal society!

At the State Department a recent award program was held to single out women of courage from ten different countries. One of them was Aliyah Khalaf Saleh of Iraq who in June 2014, hid cadets of the Military Academy at … Continue reading

Posted in Cross-Culture, Iraq, Terrorism, Uncategorized, US Foreign Policy, US Foreign Policy in Middle East | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Islamism and Islam – Update

  Below is a  paste of an extract from an article in the Wall Street Journal ( 12 Dec 20015) written by Maajid Nawaz, a liberal Muslim, originally from Pakistan now living in the U.K.   “Islam is a religion, … Continue reading

Posted in Arab Military, Arabs, Cross-Culture, Islam, Middle East Politics, Shia, Terrorism, Uncategorized, US Foreign Policy in Middle East, Western media | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How the Western Media Reinforces Islamist Propaganda

This is a short blog entry. I am focussing on the recent attacks by insurgents or gangs on the Egyptian government checkpoints in the Sinai. Immediately there were  a spate of articles from the pundits and gurus  pontificating that these … Continue reading

Posted in Arab Military, Arabs, Egypt, Islam, Middle East Politics, Terrorism, US Foreign Policy in Middle East, Western media | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

The Persian Gulf 1970 and today May 2015

Forty five years ago ( 1970) I wrote my masters thesis at the American University of Beirut on the implications of the British withdrawal from the Gulf. The British bled white after WWII led the British government in 1968  to … Continue reading

Posted in Arab Military, Iraq, Middle East Politics, Terrorism, US Foreign Policy in Middle East | 1 Comment

Another “How to Defeat ISIL.”

Almost every pundit, whether he has ever set a foot in Arabia or not has weighed in on how to defeat ISIL. Most skirt one central fact. So my bottom line up front; the ISIL has to be defeated decisively on … Continue reading

Posted in Iraq, Islam, Middle East Politics, Terrorism, Uncategorized, US Foreign Policy in Middle East | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Where does Iraq and the “Islamic State” go now?

    With a very propagandistic announcement by “the Islamic State of the Levant” that its occupied areas of Syria and Iraq would now be called the “Islamic State” and with a call for all Muslims to declare fealty to … Continue reading

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ISIL vs. Iraqi Army: Then and Now

For months now the ISIL has been residing inside the Anbar province of Iraq. Despite a number of false starts by the Iraqi security forces, and announced impending offensives to clear the area of the insurgents, very little has happened. … Continue reading

Posted in Arab Military, Iraq, Islam, Middle East Politics, Terrorism | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Al Jazeera America

Queen mother of Qatar. When she speaks people listen and look !! Yesterday we learned Al Jazeera launched its new network, Al Jazeera America. What are we to make of this? Someone asked me that question and this was my … Continue reading

Posted in Al Jazeera America, Arab Culture, Middle East Politics, qatar, Terrorism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Just When You Think it Cannot get Worse, It Does – The Embassy closure fiasco

Based on “intercepts”, contents are not made public of course, the Obama State Department gang that can’t shoot straight, announced the closure of 22 Embassies  and consulates in the Middle East. King Hussein shaking hands with me at an official … Continue reading

Posted in Islam, Middle East Politics, Personal Notes, Terrorism, Turkey, Uncategorized, US Foreign Policy in Middle East | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment