Iraq’s Hopeful Numbers
November 1, 2007 | AIJAC staff
The casualty figures from Iraq, both military and civilian, over the last couple of months have shown a major improvement – involving an overall decline of more than 50% and in Baghdad, over 80%.
The latest sanctions on Iran
October 31, 2007 | AIJAC staff
As readers will be aware, the US government instituted some new unilateral sanctions against Iran last week, directed against the elite al-Quds Brigade of the Revolutionary Guards, and against certain financial institutions dealing with them. This Update analyses the likely and intended effects of these sanctions.
Voices of Experience on Annapolis/ Indonesians in Israel
October 26, 2007 | AIJAC staff
Today’s Update features advice about the Middle East peace process from two big names in peacemaking – former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and David Trimble, the former Nobel Peace Laureate who played such a crucial role in the Northern Ireland peace process.
Pakistan’s problems/ Issues in Middle East extremism
October 23, 2007 | AIJAC staff
This Update combines comment on Pakistan’s problems with respect to terrorism and Islamic extremism, in the wake of the bloody assassination attempt on returning exiled politician Benazir Bhutto, with some other reports on Islamic extremism and terrorism emanating from the Middle East.
Al-Qaeda in Iraq “crippled”/ “Mein Kampf” in the Arab world
October 19, 2007 | AIJAC staff
The Washington Post had a piece earlier this week reporting that not only are many in Washington saying that “Al-Qaeda in Iraq” has now been “crippled”, but, while there are debates about the detail, virtually everyone agrees that the organisation has suffered “major blows” over the past three months.
Russian Roulette on Iran
October 18, 2007
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has been the most important barrier to stronger UN sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, visited Iran this week and made some statements that seem likely to reinforce Iranian intransigence and also promised to finish the Bushehr nuclear reactor.
Syria incident follow-up/ More Annapolis analysis
October 17, 2007 | AIJAC staff
Details are now coming out about that incident last month where Syria alleged an incursion of Israeli planes near the northern border and then made contradictory statements about what happened.
The Road to Annapolis/ Walt-Mearsheimer Again
October 10, 2007 | AIJAC staff
The venue has been announced for the proposed Middle East meeting in November (probably around the 26th) – it is to occur in Annapolis, Maryland. This Update features pieces on the diplomatic challenges and problems in the lead-up to the meeting.
Gaza as “Enemy territory”/ Mission Accomplished in Iraq?
October 3, 2007 | AIJAC staff
The bulk of this Update analyses the Israeli cabinet decision two weeks ago to declare Gaza “enemy territory” potentially opening the way to using a variety of sanctions as a response to ongoing rocket attacks from there with the support of the Hamas authorities. In particular, it attempts to address some of the myths being spread about this decision.
Dealing with Iran
September 26, 2007 | AIJAC staff
In view of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s well publicised visit to New York, in which he declared, among other things, that Iran’s nuclear program is “closed” as a political issue and that there are no homosexuals in Iran, this Update is devoted to reactions to the continuing problems posed by Iran’s behaviour.
