Showing posts with label Theodore Karasik. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Theodore Karasik. Show all posts

Thursday, 29 September 2016

Why JASTA has major implications for the region (Theodore Karasik, Al Arabiya)

As America’s presidential campaign heats up on the heels of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump’s first debate, US lawmakers opened up a Pandora’s Box surrounding the Justice against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA). The House and Senate buried their partisan politics and overrode US President Barack Obama’s veto of JASTA, which allows families killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks to sue Saudi Arabia’s government for the kingdom’s alleged involvement. The implications for the MENA region and the GCC in particular are paramount.

Thursday, 14 July 2016

ISIS migration is increasingly dangerous (Theodore Karasik, Al Arabiya)

During Ramadan, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) suicide bombers killed hundreds in different cities, including Istanbul, Baghdad and Madinah. Each attack held symbolism – a packed airport, a busy business district, Islam’s second-holiest site.

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2016/07/14/ISIS-migration-is-increasingly-dangerous.html

Wednesday, 1 June 2016

What’s new about Fallujah? Quite a lot actually (Theodore Karasik, Al Arabiya)

The ongoing “Iraqi” push into Fallujah to oust Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is the focus of many observers. The city on the Euphrates is a strategic prize in the current tug and pull for Iraq’s Sunni geographical core. After all, invaders of the city before met brutal deaths and hung from a bridge over the river. It’s no dreamland

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2016/06/01/What-s-new-about-Fallujah-Quite-a-lot-actually.html

Monday, 9 May 2016

Turkey and Iraq convulse: Bad news for Iran (Theodore Karasik, Al Arabiya)

Last week, events in Turkey and Iraq rocked the region and beyond in an unusual, startling way that should be seen as the new normal. A quick political shift in these two countries illustrates the moment. To be specific, both Ankara and Baghdad stepped into a new direction that is likely to affect Iran the most in terms of the Levantine strategic environment.

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2016/05/08/Turkey-and-Iraq-convulse-Bad-news-for-Iran.html

Wednesday, 6 April 2016

The endless cycle that is Libya (Theodore Karasik, Al Arabiya)

As the Government of National Accord (GNA) tries to set up its government in Tripoli, Libya continues to lurch from crisis to crisis. We are observing the uneven, hypothetical transition from a two government debacle- represented by the General National Council (GNC) in Tripoli (Tripolitania) and the House of Representatives in Tobruk (Cyrenaica) – to one government.

Continue reading here ...

Wednesday, 30 March 2016

EgyptAir hijacking a wakeup call for aviation security awareness (Theodore Karasik, Al Arabiya)

Although the hijacking of an Egypt Air Flight MS 181 turned out to be a lover’s quarrel, the fact remains that there is a high degree of nervousness regarding commercial aviation after a number of terrorism incidents involving aircraft and airports. Social media was flooded with angst and disbelief over today’s incident only to be followed by nervous joking. But this incident is not a laughing matter in today’s hyper sensitive environment.

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Tuesday, 22 March 2016

Syria and the Islamic Military Alliance (Theodore Karasik, Al Arabiya)

Five years into the Syrian debacle, there is new momentum for a real Sunni intervention, unlike past programs to support Syrian opposition forces. The Dec. 2015 announcement of the Islamic Military Alliance (IMA) by Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman represents a significant moment of unity in the Sunni world.

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2016/03/21/Syria-and-the-Islamic-Military-Alliance.html

Monday, 29 February 2016

What a Trump presidency will mean for Iran (Theodore Karasik, Al Arabiya)

It’s important – immediately – to start thinking seriously about a Donald Trump presidency to be sworn into office on January 20, 2017. The republican front runner is pulling away from his rivals, and, with Super Tuesday on March 1, is likely to be crowned the Republican Party nominee by default.

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2016/02/29/What-a-Trump-presidency-will-mean-for-Iran.html

Tuesday, 16 February 2016

Why are the Patriarch and Pope coming together on Levant crisis now? (Theodore Karasik, Al Arabiya)

The historical meeting in Cuba between the head of the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis is certainly timely in the context of the Levantine affairs. With a so-called ceasefire pending in Syria on March 1 and the possible entry of more actors into the country’s battlespace, the holy meeting, advertised as the first in almost 1000 years (1054-2016), is certainly a millennial event with geopolitical implications.

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2016/02/16/Patriarch-and-Pope-Coming-together-on-Levant-Crisis.html