Counter-insurgency and the planned troop “surge” in Iraq
January 19, 2007 | AIJAC staff
This update features pieces with a focus on how the planned troop surge in Iraq, announced by US President Bush last week, relates to the theory and practice of counter-insurgency.
Iran and the great Shiite-Sunni divide in the Mideast
January 17, 2007 | AIJAC staff
This Update deals with the growing importance of the divide in the Middle East between the aggressive Shi’ite block – Iran, Syria, and their non-state allies – and the majority of Sunni Arab states.
Issues for Rice’s Middle East trip
January 16, 2007 | AIJAC staff
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was just in Israel as part of a Middle East tour. The primary purpose of her trip is to explore regional support for US efforts to stabilise Iraq, but she will also be seeking to revitalise diplomatic efforts on the Israeli-Palestinian front.
US President Bush’s call for a troop surge in Iraq
January 12, 2007 | AIJAC staff
As readers are probably aware, US President Bush yesterday gave an important speech Wednesday night Washington time, setting out a new strategy for Iraq, one that has been anticipated for a number of weeks by Washington watchers.
2007: Realistic Appraisals of Arab-Israel Peace Prospects
January 11, 2007 | AIJAC staff
Today’s Update features the views of three prominent Israeli experts on the prospects of progress toward peace on the Israeli-Arab front in coming months. Unfortunately, none are optimistic.
Iran: facade on nukes crack
January 9, 2007 | AIJAC staff
With weak UN sanctions passed over Iran’s illegal nuclear program late last month, Teheran appears to have lets its guard slip a bit in a recent news conference.
Olmert and Abbas/ Peace Prospects
January 5, 2007 | AIJAC staff
On Dec. 23, Israeli PM Olmert held a long-anticipated meeting with PA President Mahmoud Abbas and discussed both a prisoner exchange deal and some Israeli concessions arguably designed to strengthen Abbas in the increasingly violent Hamas-Fatah clashes.
The Execution of Saddam Hussein
January 3, 2007 | AIJAC staff
The end of year hiatus in Updates witnessed a number of events which invite comment and analysis – not least the continuing conflict and kidnappings in the Palestinian territories and the passage at last of long-discussed (but very limited) UN sanctions on Iran’s nuclear program.
