February 23, 2012

A Saudi Writer Explains the “Muslim Brotherhood Spring”

800px-Supplicating_Pilgrim_at_Masjid_Al_Haram._Mecca,_Saudi_Arabia

It’s always fascinating to read the work of genuine Arab moderates (or that of non-Arab Muslims) to see how much it differs from the Western-celebrated false moderates and radicals so often prominently featured in the mass media and academia. Indeed, people like the following writer can never be found as heroes of the official West because they tell the inconvenient truths about the Middle East. Consider a young Saudi named Mshari al-Zaydi. He is the opinion page editor of Al-Sharq al-Awsat, … [Read more...]

Why Is Iran’s Influence in the Arab World Declining? What is The New Regional Line-Up?

Shahab_3_missle

Often, coverage of the Middle East in the mainstream media is beyond belief. Even when the article has good information it often misses the main point. Such is the case with an article in the Wall Street Journal, “Arab Spring Turns Up Heat on Iran.” The article correctly reports that Iran is losing popularity in much of the Arab world: In Egypt, favorable views of Iran declined from 89 percent in 2006 to 37 percent today. In Saudi Arabia those holding such beliefs declined from 85 percent … [Read more...]

Panzers for the Kingdom: The German Tank Sale to Saudi Arabia and Israel’s Silence

Kampfpanzer Leopard 2

In early July, Germany’s prestigious weekly Der Spiegel reported that Berlin was set to sell 200 of its most advanced main battle tank, the Leopard Type 2A7+, to Saudi Arabia. Surprisingly to some, in Israel there was nary a sound. After all, because of the Holocaust, Germany has always had a special and sensitive relationship with Jerusalem and has never sold arms to countries still at war with Israel. But in actuality, Israel has a long history of looking the other way when its … [Read more...]

And The New Leader of the Free World Is…Saudi Arabia?

This article is published on PajamasMediaBy Barry RubinSince the United States is not leading the anti-Islamist forces in the Middle East or protecting the relatively moderate Arab states, the new leader is...Saudi Arabia.But, you say, isn't Saudi Arabia also Islamist? Well it's as Islamic as you can get without being revolutionary Islamist. Isn't Saudi Arabia profoundly anti-Jewish? Yes, but it mostly just talks about it. Isn't Saudi Arabia anti-democratic? Yes, we'd prefer the United States … [Read more...]

Saudi Arabia, Gulf States: Iran Is Attacking Us; Obama Administration: Excuses, Excuses!

This article was published in PajamasMedia. The full text is published here for your convenience.By Barry RubinHow sadly ironic. A few years ago, the two previous U.S. presidents were trying to get Gulf Arab states to do more to foster an Arab-Israeli peace settlement and to stand up against Iran. They didn't respond very much. Now they are ready for the battle and the current U.S. government is at best neutral and at worst on the other side!In an unprecedented statement, the Gulf Cooperation … [Read more...]

Arms for the King and His Family: The U.S. Arms Sale to Saudi Arabia

We depend on your contributions. Tax-deductible donation through PayPal or credit card: click Donate button, upper-right hand corner of this page. When processing your donation through PayPal please indicate in the "Special Instructions for Seller Box" for GLORIA Center. By check: "American Friends of IDC." "For GLORIA Center" on memo line. Mail: American Friends of IDC, 116 East 16th St., 11th Floor, NY, NY 10003. On October 20, 2010, the U.S. State Department notified Congress of … [Read more...]

King Abdullah’s Illness and the Saudi Succession

We depend on your contributions. Tax-deductible donation through PayPal or credit card: click Donate button, upper-right hand corner of this page. When processing your donation through PayPal please indicate in the "Special Instructions for Seller Box" for GLORIA Center. By check: "American Friends of IDC." "For GLORIA Center" on memo line. Mail: American Friends of IDC, 116 East 16th St., 11th Floor, NY, NY 10003. If King Abdullah dies, the Saudi succession will go smoothly, with Prince … [Read more...]

Iran’s New Foreign Minister Tells Us His Number-One Target: Getting the Saudis to Bow Down

We depend on your contributions. Tax-deductible donation through PayPal or credit card: click Donate button, upper-right hand corner of this page. When processing your donation through PayPal please indicate in the "Special Instructions for Seller Box" for GLORIA Center. By check: "American Friends of IDC." "For GLORIA Center" on memo line. Mail: American Friends of IDC, 116 East 16th St., 11th Floor, NY, NY 10003. What is the highest priority for Iranian foreign policy--I mean the official and … [Read more...]

Fight or Flight?

We depend on your contributions. Tax-deductible donation through PayPal or credit card: click Donate button, upper-right hand corner of this page. By check: "American Friends of IDC." "For GLORIA Center" on memo line. Mail: American Friends of IDC, 116 East 16th St., 11th Floor, NY, NY 10003. The revelation that the Saudis sought to create a military option for anti-Iranian forces in Lebanon is the latest item to fall into the category of "non-surprising surprises" revealed by the WikiLeaks … [Read more...]

State Department Sponsors Saudi Trip of Pro-Iran Apologist

We depend on your contributions. Tax-deductible donation through PayPal or credit card: click Donate button, upper-right hand corner of this page. By check: "American Friends of IDC." "For GLORIA Center" on memo line. Mail: American Friends of IDC, 116 East 16th St., 11th Floor, NY, NY 10003. There are days when you think: No, this nightmare can't be real! Is the Obama Administration really so bad? Have the policymakers really taken leave of their senses?And then you see this:The … [Read more...]