THE MIDDLE EAST, TURKEY & NORTH AFRICA :

See also Iraq, and Iran.

New York Times, 19 Aug 10, by
U.S. Assures Israel That Iran Threat Is Not Imminent
'The Obama administration, citing evidence of continued troubles inside Iran’s nuclear program, has persuaded Israel that it would take roughly a year — and perhaps longer — for Iran to complete what one senior official called a “dash” for a nuclear weapon, according to American officials.'

Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug 10, by Christa Case Bryant and Joshua Mitnick
Israeli-Palestinian peace talks look less likely as settlers fret over freeze
'As the US steps up pressure for Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is insisting on a extension of an Israeli settlement freeze set to expire next month. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that isn't likely, citing public opposition.'

Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug 10, by Dan Murphy
Is Israel really likely to attack Iran next summer?
'That's the argument in an Atlantic Monthly cover story out this week. Others say Israel is striking a tough pose on Iran to push the Obama administration toward taking action on its own.'

Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug 10, by Dan Murphy
Repercussions of an Israeli attack on Iran
'An Atlantic Monthly article argues there's a high chance of an Israeli attack on Iran next summer. What might happen next if they did?'

Christian Science Monitor, 11 Aug 10, by Nicholas Blanford
If US cuts Lebanon Army aid, would Hezbollah's sponsor Iran step in?
'Iran, a key supporter of Hezbollah, offered to underwrite the Lebanese Army after a top US congressman said Monday he had blocked $100 million in military aid. But some doubt it would substantially fill the void.'

Washington Post, 12 Aug 10, by Joel Greenberg
Resistance on Gaza flotilla more than expected, Israeli military chief says
'Israel's military chief testifies that although troops had been trained for a violent confrontation, they lacked intelligence about the activists.'

Christian Science Monitor, 11 Aug 10, by Omar Kasrawi and Sommer Saadi
Why Israeli-Palestinian conflicts over land turn epic
'The importance of place to Jewish and Muslim identity intensifies Israeli-Palestinian conflicts over land, as illustrated by the disputed construction of a museum affiliated with the Simon Wiesenthal Center on Jerusalem's Mamilla cemetery.'

Christian Science Monitor, 26 Jul 10, by Joshua Mitnick
Israel signals new cooperation with UN over Gaza flotilla
'As a fresh round of activist ships prepares to set sail from Lebanon, Israel and the UN have made conciliatory statements on the Gaza flotilla issue that could help repair the fraught relationship – although not completely.'

New York Times, 14 Jul 10, by Isabel Kershner
Cheer, Then Gloom, on Talks for Peace Deal in Mideast
'Weeks after an upbeat meeting between American and Israeli leaders, Palestinian analysts suggest that indirect Israeli-Palestinian talks have accentuated differences.'

Washington Post, 30 Jun 10, by Joel Greenberg
U.S. envoy welcomes Israeli steps to relax Gaza blockade
'Israeli officials here were keen to show George J. Mitchell, who is mediating another round of indirect Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, that steps have already been taken to increase the supply of goods to the coastal strip, which is ruled by the militant group Hamas.'

Washington Post, 25 Jun 10, by Janine Zacharia
Israeli President Shimon Peres: U.S. and other powers must engage Hamas on peace
'Israel has sought to isolate Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, and has urged allies to do the same. But how to deal with Hamas as a political reality has largely eluded the international community ...'

Christian Science Monitor, 20 Jun 10, Kristen Chick
PKK attacks: Turkey's leader vows to ‘annihilate’ Kurdish rebels
After the PKK attacks killed 12 Turkish soldiers this weekend, Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sunday that his government will not rest until the Kurdish rebels are 'annihilated.'

Washington Post, 22 Jun 10, by Janine Zacharia
Top Israeli official pessimistic about U.S.-led Mideast peace talks
'[Israel's national security advisor] Arad described the Palestinians as "major actors in the de-legitimization of Israel" and questioned Israel's decision to back talks on Palestinian statehood in the first place.'

New York Times, 20 Jun 10, by Isabel Kershner
Israeli Easing of Blockade of Gaza Draws Praise of U.S.
'Bowing to worldwide pressure and condemnation, Israel on Sunday formally announced an eased blockade of Gaza that could significantly expand the flow of goods overland into the impoverished coastal Palestinian enclave, isolated by the Israelis for three years.'

Washington Post, 22 Jun 10, by Janine Zacharia
Israel's feeling of isolation is becoming more pronounced
'Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's ... decision to ease a blockade of the Gaza Strip, a concession to the United States and European allies, revealed the extent to which Israel lacks international support, analysts say.'

The Times, 12 Jun 10, by Hugh Tomlinson
Saudi Arabia gives Israel clear skies to attack Iranian nuclear sites
'In the week that the UN Security Council imposed a new round of sanctions on Tehran, defence sources in the Gulf say that Riyadh has agreed to allow Israel to use a narrow corridor of its airspace in the north of the country to shorten the distance for a bombing run on Iran.'

Christian Science Monitor, 12 Jun 10, by Sarah A. Topol
Yemen's elite female counter-terrorism force takes on Al Qaeda
'Combating the increasing threat of Al Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula, the 42 women in Yemen's elite counter-terrorism unit do all the jobs that the men do, plus the jobs they won't do.'

Christian Science Monitor, 09 Jun 10, by Walter Rodgers
Rift between Israel and the United States: Flotilla incident didn't help
'A closer look at Jewish anger over President Obama’s policies after the flotilla raid incident.'

Christian Science Monitor, 07 Jun 10, by Joshua Mitnick and Scott Peterson
Will Gaza flotilla raid mark end of Turkey-Israel relations?
'Turkey called for an international investigation into the Israeli raid on the Gaza flotilla sent to break the aid blockade. At security meeting in Istanbul today, Turkey positioned itself as a leader in crafting a regional response. Turkey-Israel relations are fraying rapidly.'

Christian Science Monitor, 07 Jun 10, by Soli Ozel
Turkey’s emergence as a center power in the Middle East is a game changer
'Turkey and Israel today have such diverging visions for the Middle East that their policy preferences and approaches are increasingly irreconcilable.'

New York Times, 12 Jun 10, by Sabrina Tavernise
For Turkey, an Embrace of Iran Is a Matter of Building Bridges
'... why have the two countries been locked in a clumsy embrace, with Turkey openly defying the United States last week by voting against imposing new sanctions on Iran?'

Christian Science Monitor, 11 Jun 10, by Kristen Chick
Is Obama starting to prod Egypt on human rights?
'Many human rights and democracy activists in the Middle East are disillusioned with Obama's lack of action. But Egypt's acceptance today of 21 human rights recommendations after a visit by Vice President Biden may signal a shift.'

Christian Science Monitor, 07 Jun 10, by Laura Kasinof
US cluster bombs in Yemen: The right weapon in Al Qaeda fight?
'A June 7 report from Amnesty International offers photographs of US-made cluster bombs that it says were used in a December attack against suspected Al Qaeda members.'

New York Times, 04 Jun 10, by Mark Landler
Israel Faces Deepening Tensions With Turkey Over Raid, and Bond With U.S. Frays
'Tensions deepened between Turkey and Israel on Friday, and a new fissure threatened to open between the United States and Israel, as the three countries continued to deal with the fallout from Israel's deadly raid on a humanitarian aid flotilla off Gaza.'

Washington Post, 04 Jun 10, by Janine Zacharia
Israel's Netanyahu maintains defiance amid criticism over Gaza blockade
'Defiance has been a signature of Netanyahu's career, and despite the expectations of some commentators that he would be more conciliatory during his second go-round as prime minister, that has not been the case ...'

Washington Post, 04 Jun 10, by Glenn Kessler
Israel gives its account of raid on aid ship headed for Gaza
'The officials insist they had no choice but to enforce the blockade of Gaza, controlled by the Hamas militant group, because allowing selective ships to pass would have rendered it legally meaningless.'

New York Times, 03 Jun 10, by Isabel Kershner
Israel Signals New Flexibility on Gaza Shipments
'While still insisting that its blockade of Gaza is essential to its security, the Israeli government is now shifting its position, “exploring new ways” of allowing goods to reach the coastal enclave ...'

Washington Post, 03 Jun 10, by Scott Wilson and Glenn Kessler
U.S. urged Israel to use caution and restraint with aid boats heading to Gaza
'The Obama administration said Wednesday that it had warned Israel's government repeatedly to use "caution and restraint" with half a dozen aid boats bound for the Gaza Strip before Israeli commandos raided the flotilla this week in an operation that killed nine people.'

Washington Post, 31 May 10, by Sudarsan Raghavan
Former Libyan militants now wage battle within homeland to discredit al-Qaeda
'... Saadi and other top leaders of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group are now waging an ideological battle to de-radicalize extremists and discredit al-Qaeda.'

Washington Post, 24 May 10, by Janine Zacharia
Spat over Iran may further strain relations between allies U.S., Turkey
'This month's spat resulted not only because of ideological differences over the best way to deal with Iran's nuclear program, but also as a consequence of growing Turkish confidence as it seeks to assert itself as a regional power.'

Asia Times, 26 May 10, by Justin Vela
Iran issue forces Turkey to a crossroads
'Turkey's efforts to pull Iran back from the brink of international sanctions over its nuclear program are indicative of the "zero problem" foreign policy approach it has taken in recent years to enhance its regional standing. However, Ankara may soon face a final decision on Iran that forces it to choose between older military allies in the West and newer links it has forged to the East.'

Christian Science Monitor, 19 May 10, by Scott Peterson
Turkey's work on Iran nuclear deal shows emerging diplomatic power
'While the US has continued to press for UN Security Council sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, Turkey's high-profile role in brokering a nuclear deal with Tehran is just the latest sign of an emerging diplomatic power.'

Christian Science Monitor, 21 May 10, by Erin Cunningham and Safwat Kahlout
Hamas faces financial crisis after three-year Israeli blockade
'Laboring under an Israel blockade supported by Egypt, Hamas hasn't paid government employees full salaries for two months. It's also had to raise taxes, an unpopular move in the impoverished Gaza Strip.'

Christian Science Monitor, 20 May 10, by Joshua Mitnick
Why Israel supports watered-down Iran nuclear sanctions
'Israel says that Iran nuclear sanctions proposed to the UN Security Council are weaker than it would like, but the symbolism of international unity is important.'

BBC News, 12 May 10, by Barbara Plett
Could the Middle East become a nuclear-free zone?
'Western concerns about Iran's nuclear programme have so far dominated the latest UN conference on the treaty aimed at stopping the spread and stockpiling of nuclear weapons.'

Christian Science Monitor, 11 May 10, by Claire Duffett
Why Russia's Dmitry Medvedev is visiting Syria
'Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is visiting Syria as part of a bid to raise Russia's Mideast profile. He discussed possible atomic energy development, and called on Hamas to release captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.'

New York Times, 11 May 10, by Michael Slackman
Egyptian Emergency Law Is Extended for 2 Years
'After years of the government’s promising to end Egypt’s state of emergency, Parliament on Tuesday approved a government request to extend for two years its right to arrest people without charge, detain prisoners indefinitely, limit freedom of expression and assembly, and maintain a special security court.'

Christian Science Monitor, 07 May 10, by Nicholas Blanford
Hezbollah says it's ready for fresh war with Israel – and stronger now
'Driving through Hezbollah's stronghold in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, a veteran fighter says the militant group has made significant military advances since their last war with Israel in 2006: 'We have many other surprises for the Israelis.'

New York Times, 28 Apr 10, by Mark Landler
2 Officials and 2 Views on Discussing Mideast Peace
'In Washington, Israel’s defense minister and the mayor of Jerusalem presented differing views of the peace process.'

New York Times, 20 Apr 10, by Robert F. Worth
Lebanon Rejects Israel Accusations About Scuds
'Lebanon’s prime minister has dismissed Israeli accusations that Syria had been providing Scud missiles to the Hezbollah militia in his country ...'

New York Times, 08 Apr 10, by Ethan Bronner and Isabel Kershner
Netanyahu Cancels Trip to U.S. Nuclear Summit
'... Israeli news media reported that the prime minister feared that Muslim states were planning on using the occasion to raise the question of Israel’s nuclear arsenal. Israel is widely believed to be the only nuclear armed power in the Middle East, but it refuses to discuss the issue and has declined to join the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.'

Christian Science Monitor, 06 Apr 10, by Ilene R. Prusher
Erekat: US efforts to jumpstart Israeli-Palestinian talks hit 'dead end'
'Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, said today that Obama's efforts to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks have hit a dead end. His comments reflect dwindling Palestinian hopes for a two-state solution.'

New York Times, 06 Apr 10, by Ethan Bronner
Palestinians Try a Less Violent Path to Resistance
'With both diplomacy and armed struggle out of favor for having failed to end the Israeli occupation, the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority, joined by the business community, is trying to forge a third way: to rouse popular passions while avoiding violence.'

Christian Science Monitor, 08 Apr 10, by Ilene R. Prusher
Press freedom vs. state security: Israel's Anat Kam faces jail for leaking army files
'Israel today lifted a gag order on Israeli media reporting on the case of Anat Kam, who allegedly passed up to 2,000 classified army documents to the newspaper Haaretz. The case has raised fresh questions about whether press freedom is being sacrificed for state security.'

Christian Science Monitor, 21 Mar 10, by Ilene R. Prusher
Netanyahu hits defiant note ahead of visit with Obama
Two days before he meets President Obama in Washington, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet Sunday that "building in Jerusalem is the same as building in Tel Aviv."'

Washington Post, 19 Mar 10, by Mary Beth Sheridan
Clinton: Netanyahu responds with 'useful, productive' ideas to defuse crisis
'Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Friday that she had received a "useful and productive" response from Israel after a tense standoff over a housing project threatened to derail plans for Middle East peace talks.'

Christian Science Monitor, 19 Mar 10, by Erin Cunningham
Hamas fails to rein in Gaza rocket attacks, prompting Israel strike
'After Gaza rocket attacks resulted in the first fatality since last year's war, Israeli warplanes carried out retaliatory air strikes on at least six targets overnight. Hamas is struggling to contain unaffiliated militants in Gaza.'

New York Times, 16 Mar 10, by Ethan Bronner
Israel Objects to U.S. Construction Demands
'The discord between the United States and Israel over Jewish building in East Jerusalem deepened Tuesday with Israeli officials saying they would reject demands by Washington and expressing anger over the public upbraiding of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by the Obama administration.'

Washington Post, 19 Mar 10, by Ellen Nakashima
Dismantling of Saudi-CIA Web site illustrates need for clearer cyberwar policies
'By early 2008, top U.S. military officials had become convinced that extremists planning attacks on American forces in Iraq were making use of a Web site set up by the Saudi government and the CIA to uncover terrorist plots in the kingdom.'

PBS NewsHour, 16 Mar 10, with Margaret Warner
Yemen Dispatch: Battling Insurgents
'Yemeni security forces are working on honing their counterterrorism tactics in the battle against a resurgent al-Qaeda affiliate in the region -- AQAP, or Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.'

Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar 10, by Kristen Chick
Mahmoud Abbas: Israel-Palestinian peace talks off unless new settlements canceled
'PA President Mahmoud Abbas said Wednesday that Israel-Palestinian peace talks are off unless Israel cancels 1,600 newly planned homes for East Jerusalem. US Vice President Biden encouraged talks to go forward.'

New York Times, 11 Mar 10, by Ethan Bronner
Biden to Leave Mideast Amid Unease
'[Biden] left Thursday amid increased uncertainty over the nature and timing of [Israeli-Palestinian peace talks] and with a sense of unease hanging over the American-Israeli relationship.'

Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar 10, by Kristen Chick and Tom A. Peter
Arab neighbors cast a wary eye on Iraq election results
'With the first Iraq election results coming in, Middle East countries are watching close and gauging what the vote means for their influence on the oil-rich state.'

Christian Science Monitor, 05 Mar 10, by Yigal Schleifer
Turkey: Why 'Armenian genocide' resolution may hurt US interests
'Turkey's deep emotional reaction to the 'Armenian genocide' resolution passed by a US congressional committee yesterday could have far-ranging implications for US policy in Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan.'

New York Times, 01 Mar 10, by Sabrina Tavernise
Army Ebbs, and Power Realigns in Turkey
'The detention of top military officers in Turkey last week was nothing less than a quiet piece of history. The military, long considered untouchable in Turkey, was pushed from its political pedestal with startling finality.'

See Middle East, Turkey and North Africa archive for past stories.

"Hunt for the Somali Pirates" airs soon on the National Geographic Channel.
When Somali pirates hijack the Maersk Alabama -- and international headlines -- Navy SEALs launch a sneak attack to rescue the ship's American captain. Pirate Hunters recounts the harrowing five days from hijack to final fatal shots, and reveals sophisticated Navy SEAL training methods that prepare the world's most elite reconnaissance teams for daring missions with no second chances.