Russia’s quest to make itself indispensable in the Middle East
September 17, 2020 | Oved Lobel
Although it has neither the desire nor the financial or military capacity to actually displace the United States in the Middle East, Russia has become adept at planting itself firmly in the middle of crises and conflicts and establishing itself as an indispensable intermediary at relatively little cost.
Mahmoud Abbas courts disaster by rejecting hundreds of millions of dollars the Palestinians desperately need
September 15, 2020 | Allon Lee
Three things seem certain in the Middle East: death, taxes and the uncanny ability of Palestinian leaders to make terrible choices that leave their people worse off. A New York Times feature has demonstrated yet again not only this principle in action but the dysfunction at the heart of Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas’ 15-year one-man rule.
![Palestinians gather to protest against a deal between the UAE and Israel to normalise ties, in Gaza City, Gaza [Anadolu Agency]](https://aijac.org.au/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/e58b0ab9-8e8e-4ad3-a9ee-c233c4116efb-landscape.jpg "e58b0ab9-8e8e-4ad3-a9ee-c233c4116efb")
Essay: Who were the Entebbe hijackers?
September 9, 2020 | Jonathan Spyer
The Entebbe raid of July 4, 1976 is remembered as a high point of counter-terror warfare in general, and of the Israeli contribution to that field in particular. The raid involved astonishing audacity, precise and pinpoint intelligence, great courage and professional military skills of the highest order.
Noted and Quoted – September 2020
September 9, 2020 | AIJAC staff
Musician Nick Cave’s condemnation of cancel culture was picked up by the media, with a number of outlets referencing his previous criticisms of the anti-Israel Boycott, Sanctions and Divestment (BDS) movement.
Media Microscope: The Art of the Deal
September 8, 2020 | Allon Lee
The historic August 13 announcement that the UAE will establish normalised diplomatic relations with Israel appeared to receive a somewhat muted response by a media uncertain of how to react to a peace accord not involving the Palestinians and brokered by two figures many in the media love to hate, Donald Trump and Binyamin Netanyahu.
