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 "Middle East Matters This Week"

Middle East Matters This Week: Egyptian Elections, Damascus Explosions, and a New Tunisian Government

by Robert M. Danin
Egyptian electoral workers carry ballot box at a center for vote counting during a previous parliamentary election (El-Ghany/Courtesy Reuters). Egyptian electoral workers carry ballot box at a center for vote counting during a previous parliamentary election (El-Ghany/Courtesy Reuters).

Significant Developments

Egypt. President Mohammed Morsi issued a decree last night calling for parliamentary elections to begin April 27 and end in late June. The vote will take place in four stages across different regions dues to a shortage of electoral supervisors. The new parliament will then convene for the first time on July 6. Read more »

Middle East Matters This Week: Struggles in Tunisia, Egypt, and Syria

by Robert M. Danin
Tunisian prime minister Hamadi Jebali arrives for a round of consultations with other political parties at the Carthage Palace in Tunis, February 15, 2013 (Mili/Courtesy Reuters). Tunisian prime minister Hamadi Jebali arrives for a round of consultations with other political parties at the Carthage Palace in Tunis, February 15, 2013 (Mili/Courtesy Reuters).

Significant Developments

Tunisia. Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali pledged to announce a government of technocrats tomorrow, following intensive consultations with a variety of party leaders today. Jebali recently sacked his cabinet and called for new elections after the assassination of prominent opposition leader Chokri Belaid on February 6. Read more »

Middle East Matters This Week: Tunisia, Egypt, Iran, Syria, and More

by Robert M. Danin
A man cries next to a poster with an image of Chokri Belaid, a prominent Tunisian opposition politician who was shot dead, in Tunis February 7, 2013 (Souissi/Courtesy Reuters). A man cries next to a poster with an image of Chokri Belaid, a prominent Tunisian opposition politician who was shot dead, in Tunis February 7, 2013 (Souissi/Courtesy Reuters).

Significant Developments

Tunisia. Tunisia’s ruling Islamist party Ennahda rejected its own prime minister’s proposal today to form a new government of technocrats following the assassination yesterday of Chokri Belaid, a prominent opposition politician. Belaid was gunned down outside his Tunis home immediately sparking massive nationwide protests. Read more »

Middle East Matters This Week: Israel Strikes Syria, Egypt Seeks Unity, and Iran Upgrades Enrichment

by Robert M. Danin
A protester opposing Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi holds a homemade gun during clashes with riot police, along Qasr Al Nil bridge in Cairo on January 27, 2013 (Dalsh/Courtesy Reuters). A protester opposing Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi holds a homemade gun during clashes with riot police, along Qasr Al Nil bridge in Cairo on January 27, 2013 (Dalsh/Courtesy Reuters).

Significant Developments

Syria. Israel reportedly conducted an airstrike inside Syria on Wednesday for the first time since 2007, igniting protests from the Assad regime as well as Syria’s allies Iran, Russia, and Hezbollah. Conflicting reports have emerged about the target; U.S., Israeli, and Lebanese sources have been quoted claiming Israel struck a convoy carrying advanced SA-17 anti-aircraft weapons heading into Lebanon. Read more »

Middle East Matters This Week: Assad Stalls, Palestinians Talk, and Iraq Explodes

by Robert M. Danin
Syria's president Bashar al-Assad speaks at the Opera House in Damascus on January 6, 2013 (Courtesy Reuters). Syria's president Bashar al-Assad speaks at the Opera House in Damascus on January 6, 2013 (Courtesy Reuters).

Significant Middle East Developments

Syria. Syrian president Bashar al-Assad gave his first speech in nearly seven months on Sunday, outlining a “peace plan” that ruled out any negotiation with Syria’s armed rebels. UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi called Assad’s speech “uncompromising” and said that the Syrian president could not be part of any transitional government-the closest Brahimi has come to calling for Assad’s resignation; Syria’s foreign ministry called Brahimi “flagrantly biased.” Russian and U.S. diplomats are scheduled to meet with Brahimi tomorrow in Geneva. Read more »

Middle East Matters’ Ten Most Significant Developments of 2012

by Robert M. Danin
A protester covers his face as he stands in front of tear gas during clashes with riot police along a road that leads to the U.S. embassy, near Tahrir Square in Cairo on September 15, 2012 (Dalsh/Courtesy Reuters). A protester covers his face as he stands in front of tear gas during clashes with riot police along a road that leads to the U.S. embassy, near Tahrir Square in Cairo on September 15, 2012 (Dalsh/Courtesy Reuters).

Here it is: the second annual Middle East Matters year-end roundup listing the ten most significant Middle East developments of 2012. Since this blog focuses on the interplay between U.S. policy and the region, the items selected were those deemed most noteworthy from an admittedly American foreign policy perspective. This was a tumultuous year in the region, and many items on this list could have been deemed the single most significant. So in roughly chronological order are MEM’s top ten for 2012: Read more »

Middle East Matters This Week: Egypt’s Contentious Vote and Syria’s Fraying Grip

by Robert M. Danin
An Egyptian votes on the new Egyptian constitution at the Egyptian embassy in Amman on December 12, 2012 (Jarekji/Courtesy Reuters).. An Egyptian votes on the new Egyptian constitution at the Egyptian embassy in Amman on December 12, 2012 (Jarekji/Courtesy Reuters)..

Significant Middle East Developments

Egypt. The National Salvation Front, Egypt’s newly formed opposition group headed by prominent figures Mohammed El Baradei, Hamdeen Sabahi, and Amre Moussa, urged followers yesterday to vote “no” on Saturday’s referendum on the draft constitution. They conditioned the opposition’s participation in the vote on full judicial oversight at all polling places, independent and international monitors, and adequate security. Read more »

Voices From the Region: Egypt, Syria, Israel, Palestine, Iran, Iraq

by Robert M. Danin
Supporters of Egyptian president Morsi and members of the Muslim Brotherhood shout slogans during a funeral for fellow supporters who died in recent clashes Al Azhar mosque in Cairo on December 7, 2012 (Dalsh/Courtesy Reuters). Supporters of Egyptian president Morsi and members of the Muslim Brotherhood shout slogans during a funeral for fellow supporters who died in recent clashes Al Azhar mosque in Cairo on December 7, 2012 (Dalsh/Courtesy Reuters).

“I never thought I would say this, but even Mubarak was more savvy when he spoke in a time of crisis.” – Hossam Bahgat, executive director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights

“I hope God will make me a martyr on the land of Palestine in Gaza.” – Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal after crossing into the Gaza Strip Friday for the first time Read more »

Middle East Matters This Week: Egypt Boils, Palestine Upgrades, and Syria’s Opposition Gains

by Robert M. Danin
Anti-Morsi protester chains his hands during a protest in Tahrir Square in Cairo on November 30, 2012 (Waguih/Courtesy Reuters). Anti-Morsi protester chains his hands during a protest in Tahrir Square in Cairo on November 30, 2012 (Waguih/Courtesy Reuters).

Significant Middle East Developments

Egypt. Tens of thousands of protesters poured into Cairo’s Tahrir Square today to demonstrate against Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi and the draft constitution that was approved late last night by the Islamist-dominated constituent assembly. The proposed document is slated to go to Morsi tomorrow for his approval and an announcement of a date for a popular referendum. Read more »

Middle East Matters This Week: Syria’s Opposition Dumped While Tunisians, Egyptians, and Kuwaitis Protest

by Robert M. Danin
U.S. secretary of state Clinton meets with a small group of expatriate Syrian opposition members at a hotel in Geneva on December 6, 2011 (Applewhite/Courtesy Reuters). U.S. secretary of state Clinton meets with a small group of expatriate Syrian opposition members at a hotel in Geneva on December 6, 2011 (Applewhite/Courtesy Reuters).

Significant Middle East Developments

Syria. The Syrian National Council (SNC) lashed out at the United States today, accusing Washington of trying to “undermine the Syrian revolution.” The SNC was reacting to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s announcement on Wednesday that the United States would work to reshape the Syrian opposition. Read more »