Robert M. Danin

Middle East Matters

Danin analyzes critical developments and U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.

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Showing posts for "Algeria"

Middle East Matters This Week: Egypt’s Vote and Syria’s Massacre

by Robert M. Danin
A man cleans the scene of the burnt campaign headquarters of presidential candidate Ahmed Shafiq in Cairo on May 29, 2012 (Mohammed Salem/Courtesy Reuters). A man cleans the scene of the burnt campaign headquarters of presidential candidate Ahmed Shafiq in Cairo on May 29, 2012 (Mohammed Salem/Courtesy Reuters).

Significant Middle East Developments

Egypt. The Presidential Elections Commission officially announced Monday that there will be a run-off between Mohammed Morsi and Ahmed Shafiq for the presidency. The announcement has been greeted with dismay by many revolution supporters, with thousands taking to the streets, setting Shafiq’s Cairo headquarters on fire just hours later. The low turnout rate of 46 percent for the first round is expected to decrease for the run-offs scheduled on June 16-17 as many parties are threatening to boycott. Read more »

Middle East Matters This Week: Israel’s Surprise Unity Agreement, Further Disunity in Syria

by Robert M. Danin
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and new Kadima head Shaul Mofaz give a joint press conferece on May 8, 2012 (Ammar Awad/Courtesy Reuters). Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and new Kadima head Shaul Mofaz give a joint press conferece on May 8, 2012 (Ammar Awad/Courtesy Reuters).

Significant Middle East Developments

Israel. In a move that caught virtually all Israelis by surprise, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced early Tuesday morning that he was forming a new unity government with the Kadima party and its new leader Shaul Mofaz (my Tuesday morning analysis available here). Israelis had been bracing for new national elections. As Netanyahu and Mofaz met secretly to hammer out the deal on Monday night, Knesset members were working to dissolve the government in preparation for a likely September 4 vote. Read more »

Middle East Matters This Week: Syria, Egypt, Algeria, and More

by Robert M. Danin
U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton confers with British foreign minister William Hague before a UN Security Council meeting at the United Nations in New York on January 31, 2012 (Mike Segar/Courtesy Reuters). U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton confers with British foreign minister William Hague before a UN Security Council meeting at the United Nations in New York on January 31, 2012 (Mike Segar/Courtesy Reuters).

Significant Middle East Developments

Syria. Diplomatic activity shifted to New York with foreign ministers, including Secretary of State Clinton, convening on Tuesday at the UN Security Council in attempts to forge a consensus over next steps to address the Syrian crisis. Russia declared its intent to veto any resolution that explicitly calls for regime change, sanctions, or an arms embargo. Read more »