Latest Articles about Middle East
IRAN AND CHINA SIGN AGREEMENT TO EXPLORE OIL IN THE CASPIAN SEA
On January 18, Iran's North Drilling Company (NDC) and the Hong Kong-registered China Oilfield Services Ltd. signed an oil-exploration agreement for management, repair, and maintenance of the Alborz semi-floating platform, currently being constructed by the Iranian Offshore Industries Company. A three-year contract with an estimated... MORE
Jihadi Doctrine on Killing Americans
On January 30, al-Qaeda's second-in-command, Egyptian national Ayman al-Zawahiri, reiterated Osama bin Laden's threat to carry out an attack in the United States. Given the controversy that bin Laden's threat stirred on the jihadi forums, it is worth taking a brief look at the ideological... MORE
Saudi Security and the Islamist Insurgency
For over a decade, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has fought an ongoing battle against homegrown Islamist insurgents. These forces have sought to overthrow the ruling monarchy and replace it with what they have described as an "authentic" Islamic regime. Throughout the Saudi government's battle... MORE
The Significance of Bin Laden’s New Audio Statement
On January 19, 2006, al-Jazeera Television broadcast a new statement by al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden. The statement was bin Laden's first since October 31, 2004. The U.S. government announced that the voice on the tape almost certainly is that of bin Laden (Bloomberg, January... MORE
Al-Qaeda’s Presence in Lebanon
After a missile attack on Israel from south Lebanon on December 27, 2005, the Organization of al-Qaeda in Iraq, or the Land of the Two Rivers, issued an audio-recording for its leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, in which he claimed responsibility for the attack and said... MORE
RUSSIAN ECONOMIC BOOM GOES UNNOTICED IN DAVOS
This year's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, featured many themes that could have benefited from a Russian perspective. From the "New Mindset for the UN" to "Europe's Identity Crisis" and "A Take on Tehran" to "The Need for Effective Leadership in Addressing Global Risks,"... MORE
COUNCIL OF EUROPE CONDEMNS COMMUNISM OVER MOSCOW’S OPPOSITION
Against Russian-led opposition, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) approved by a simple majority of votes on January 25 a report calling for "International Condemnation of the Crimes of Communist Regimes." The move in Strasbourg marks the first time that an inter-governmental... MORE
MOSCOW PUTS KADYROV’S PRIVATE ARMY UNDER ITS OWN COMMAND
Ramzan Kadyrov is the most powerful figure in Chechnya. Ordinary Chechens are afraid of him and his thugs, the kadyrovtsy. Even the Russian military forces posted in Chechnya do not dare to oppose the kadyrovsty. This fear is so widespread that it has become conventional... MORE
Internet Mujahideen Analyze the Latest Bin Laden Audio Tape
The rarity of an Osama bin Laden commentary (one year after the last broadcast in December 2004) is stirring a wealth of commentary in the world's media. The focus is on its veracity and on the implications for the West of the truce offer coupled... MORE
Al-Zarqawi Reportedly Moves to New Area of Iraq
A report by al-Jazeera satellite TV on January 22, citing Iraqi military officials who claim that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the head of al-Qaeda in Iraq, is in the Diyala province (northeast of Baghdad), runs contrary to the assessments of Iraqi intelligence services and U.S. military... MORE