Steven A. Cook

From the Potomac to the Euphrates

Cook examines developments in the Middle East and their resonance in Washington.

The Most Important Stories on the Middle East of 2010

by Steven A. Cook Wednesday, December 29, 2010

middle east flotilla iraq iran egypt israel turkey

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season. Check out the picture of “Father Time” above. As we bid goodbye to 2010 and say hello to 2011, it is time for that great American pastime of lists: “Best of…,” “Worst of…” “Most Influential…”, and “ Most Important…” of 2010.

Here’s my take for the seven (I couldn’t think of 10) most important stories in the Middle East this year, in no particular order:

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Roundup

by Steven A. Cook Friday, December 17, 2010

egypt israel muslim brotherhood syriaShi’ite pilgrims pray at Imam Abbas shrine in the holy city of Kerbala in Iraq. Shi’ite Muslims are commemorating Ashura, the most important day in the Shi’ite calendar which remembers the death of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammad, in the 7th century battle of Kerbala. Read more »

Roundup: Wikimania

by Steven A. Cook Friday, December 3, 2010

wikileaks arab iran turkey

The Wikileaks Cable as Literature
Beam on the art of cable writing

Wikileaks and the Arab Public Sphere
Lynch on how Arab autocrats will confront the Leaks

Confirming the “bad chemistry”
Istanbul Calling on Wiki, America, and Turkey

Arabs and Iran
Sullivan and Goldberg duke it out over whether the Israel lobby is the only potent force advocating for war against Iran

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