Tag Archives: Iraq

The Syrian Background

Posted on February 29, 2020 by Tex

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

Islamism and Islam – Update

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Tex

  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

Another “How to Defeat ISIL.”

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Tex

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?

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Tex

    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 →

Posted in Arab Military, Iraq, Middle East Politics, Terrorism, Turkey, US Foreign Policy in Middle East | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

ISIL vs. Iraqi Army: Then and Now

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Tex

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

Iraq: Still there, Still in Crisis, Fragmenting?

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Tex

The elections are over. It was a larger turnout of voters than many anticipated and the present prime minister,  Nouri Al-Maliki drew the most votes, but not enough to form a government.  Now the horse trading will begin. It seems … Continue reading →

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Arabs As Refugees: Cultural Challenges

Posted on April 10, 2014 by Tex

  This blog entry is about the massive problem of displaced people of the Arab world. From Iraq to Syria to Palestine to Libya there are millions of people who have been uprooted from their homes. We read about them … Continue reading →

Posted in Arab Culture, Arabs, Cross-Culture, Iraq, Middle East Politics, Shia, Syria | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Middle Eastern Potpourri

Posted on December 24, 2013 by Tex

It has been a while since I have posted. Part of the reason is the one-week I spent as a cultural advisor with a U.S. marine detachment preparing to go to a Middle Eastern country. The week was spent going … Continue reading →

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Can Oil Companies in Iraq Avoid Incidents like Schlumberger’s?

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Tex

Dozens of angry Shia Muslim workers stormed the Schlumberger Ltd camp in Basra, Iraq last week after a British employee took down a flag that was placed on the company’s car to commemorate the death anniversary of Imam Hussein, Prophet … Continue reading →

Posted in Egypt, Iraq, US Foreign Policy in Middle East | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Obama’s Foreign Policy Doctrine: Kowtow to Your Enemies, Kick Your Allies

Posted on October 10, 2013 by Tex

The latest example of the hapless and sophomoric Obama administration approach to foreign policy is the suspension of military aid to Egypt.  Who is being punished by this move? Who benefits? Well, of course internally, the vastly unpopular Muslim Brotherhood … Continue reading →

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