Egypt is the largest Arab country by far (it's more than double the size of Algeria, the second-largest). Owing partly to its size, it's historically exerted considerable influence within the Arab World and the Middle East in general. But lately Egypt has been mostly absent from major conflicts that are pock-marking the region. It's playing … Continue reading Egypt’s absence from the Middle East, my latest at LobeLog

I'm not going to pretend to know what goes on in Vladimir Putin's head, and frankly anybody who does is trying to sell you something. But doesn't it seem, after a week or so of this stuff, that part of his motivation in wading into Syria is just to show off a little and maybe … Continue reading Figuring out what Russia is up to

I'm not sure if this story is real or if somebody transcribed one of Bill Kristol's nightmares wildest dreams: The previously unpublicized case is one of at least four attempts in five years in which criminal networks with suspected Russian ties sought to sell radioactive material to extremists through Moldova, an investigation by The Associated … Continue reading Colonel Putin in the Conservatory with the Cesium

At LobeLog today there's an interesting piece by two Africa analysts, Alexis Kedo and Colby Goodman, looking at the US practice of training presidential guards, such as the unit that just recently tried and failed to overthrow Burkina Faso's civilian government. The US often views these presidential guard units, which can be found all over … Continue reading Is the US training presidential guards or future military juntas?

Slate's Joshua Keating and Christ Kirk have done a remarkable job of creating a surreal-but-true "Syrian Conflict Relationship" chart, a focused and updated variation on the equally surreal "Middle East Friendship Chart" they put together last year. The one thing that happens when you see the relationships between all the various players in Syria laid … Continue reading Syria sure has made for some strange bedfellows

It's time, again, to ask whether things are heading toward a third general Palestinian uprising in the West Bank: Israeli police have limited access to the Old City of Jerusalem after two Israelis were killed and three injured by Palestinians in separate stabbing incidents. The restrictions allow only Israeli citizens, tourists, and residents into the … Continue reading Your periodic Third Intifada watch

Here's an interesting bit of campaign trivia: apparently Carly Fiorina has been stiffing contractors from her failed 2010 Senate campaign for five years now, and only deigned to start paying them after she decided to run for president. No, really: Famed California pollster Joe Shumate was found dead in his home one month before Election … Continue reading Putting the blame right where it belongs

I don't know about you all, but I'm feeling really good about where things are headed: NATO has condemned Russian incursions into Turkish airspace as an "extreme danger" and demanded that Moscow halt all attacks against the Syrian opposition and civilians. Counting the Cost: How is Russia financing its war in Syria? The alliance summoned … Continue reading This is very good, definitely a positive development