Hezbollah and Lebanon
August 13, 2008 | AIJAC staff
Today’s Update focuses on Lebanon, and the progress of growing Syrian and Hezbollah dominance of that country, especially in the wake of a recent government decision which effectively makes Hezbollah and its “resistance” against Israel an official arm of the Lebanese government.
Is there a diplomatic option following Iran’s latest rejection?
August 8, 2008 | AIJAC staff
Iran provided an answer to the P5+1 proposal of various incentives for halting uranium enrichment, which was generally seen as simply stalling for time…
The State of Iraq
August 7, 2008 | AIJAC staff
The situation in Iraq continues to be trending in largely positive directions, despite the occasional major act of violence, with even the venerable Associated Press concluding that US-led coalition forces there are now “winning”…
Hamas Consolidates Gaza Power/ The Kadima Primary
August 5, 2008 | AIJAC staff
Readers will likely be aware of the drama of the past few days, where Hamas in Gaza used the pretext of a bombing to attack a Fatah-linked clan in Gaza, killing many, and sending more than 180 members of the clan fleeing to Israel.
Olmert Throws in the Towel
August 1, 2008 | AIJAC staff
As readers will largely be aware, on Wednesday night, embattled Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced to Israelis that he would not be contesting the leadership primary for his party, Kadima, scheduled for September 17, and will resign the prime ministership at that time.
Hezbollah and the Future of Lebanon
July 25, 2008 | AIJAC staff
The Israel-Hezbollah exchange of prisoners for the bodies of abducted soldiers last week has renewed the focus on the political battle occurring inside Lebanon, as Hezbollah tried to capitalise on the hero’s welcome given to released terrorist and child-murderer Samir Kuntar.
Making a Hero of Samir Kuntar/ Syria Raid Evaluated
July 22, 2008 | AIJAC staff
Israelis have continued to react to the swap with Hezbollah of some live prisoners for the bodies of two Israeli soldiers. Many observers have been particularly horrified by the spectacle of Lebanon making a national hero of child murderer Samir Kuntar, who was released in the deal.
The New Reality in Iraq/ Oil Prices and the Middle East
July 18, 2008 | AIJAC staff
This Update offers some new and very optimistic assessments of the situation in Iraq. First up, if you haven’t seen it in today’s Australian, don’t miss academic military experts Kimberley and Frederick Kagan, together with retired senior US General Jack Keane’s report in the Wall Street Journal on the findings of their recent visit to Iraq.
Israel debates Hezbollah Prisoner Deal
July 16, 2008 | AIJAC staff
Israelis are intensely debating at the moment the pros and cons of prisoner swap overnight with Hezbollah, which includes Israel trading five Lebanese prisoners, including the notorious child-killer Samir Kuntar, in exchange for the bodies of two Israeli soldiers, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, abducted in the raid which sparked the 2006 war.
Hamas’ post-ceasefire strategy
July 11, 2008 | AIJAC staff
This Update features two pieces dealing with Hamas’ strategy now that a ceasefire has been declared. First up is the always uniquely tuned-in Ehud Yaari arguing, based on his incomparable sources on the Palestinian side, that Hamas wants the ceasefire to last and will likely seek to extend it even beyond the six months it is scheduled to run.
