Festival marking end of Ramadan probably 5 June. Long holidays, traditional family celebrations, a travel boom. Clash with the cricket World Cup. Multiple wars continue.
Articles tagged: ‘Afghanistan’
ISIS: what now?
Posted onOutlook for the Islamic “state” bleak as a state, but cheap wins globally. Failed or predatory states fertile ground for ISIS and al-Qaeda.
Women’s Rights in the Middle East and North Africa
Posted onNew e-book chapter examines various phases of women’s quest for rights and equality in the MENA region and compares their situation to their peers elsewhere.
The costs of war
Posted onUnending wars over fifteen years have created anarchy in the Middle East. Escalation. The US role and the costs.
Refugees
Posted onTwo refugee conferences in New York. Pledges fall far short of need. MENA region more than half the world problem. Present global refugee regime not fit for purpose.
GITMO still in business
Posted onRelease to the UAE of 15 Guantánamo prisoners leaves 61. Party politics mean GITMO likely to remain open at the end of Obama’s term with some 40, a gift to anti-US propaganda. A stain on the USA.
Syria: IS surrounded at Manbij
Posted onYesterday’s post noted progress made against IS in Fallujah, and referred to urgent UN appeals for humanitarian assistance to Iraqis. In northern Syria, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has made a similar call, requesting international aid for those fleeing the fighting with IS in Manbij.
Invasion for dummies
Posted onThe liberation of Kuwait in 1991 was a rare example of a successful military intervention In the Middle East. Most have been failures; lessons to be learned.
Saudi-led alliance against terrorism
Posted onSaudi Prince Muhammad bin Salman announces a new military alliance of thirty-four Muslim states against terrorism. Iran, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan not included. Not much substance yet.
The migrant crisis: global, regional, Arab
Posted onMigration – Europe at a loss, Turkey and the Arab have-nots carry the Syria burden, where are the haves?