The formal end of the U.S. war in Iraq on Dec. 15 enhances neighboring Iran as a major, unpredictable factor in the U.S. presidential election of 2012. Presidents Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama could share an Iranian challenge to their
by Daniel Pipes21 Dec 2011, 9:24 AM PST0
Cyprus, an island of roughly 1.3 million inhabitants near Turkey and Syria, finds itself on the cusp of momentous change, with great opportunities and dangers. It belatedly makes a grand debut on the world stage after domestic Greek-Turkish communal issues
by Daniel Pipes11 Oct 2011, 10:20 AM PST0
On September 1, Mu’ammar al-Qadhdhafi (the proper transliteration of his name) would have been ruler of Libya for exactly 42 years, making him the world’s longest ruling head of state. As he leaves the scene, his wretched reign deserves an
by Daniel Pipes30 Aug 2011, 4:22 AM PST0
The White House engaged in two puerile and quickly-exposed gambits last week that exposed the Obama administration’s amateurish and deceitful Middle East-Islamic policies in a painfully obvious manner. The first case concerned the thorny issue of Jerusalem’s legal status in
by Daniel Pipes16 Aug 2011, 6:14 AM PST0
U.S. Army Private First Class Nasser Jason Abdo, 21, first made the news last August when, arguing that his Islamic faith contradicts serving in the American military, he filed for conscientious objector (C.O.) status. Referring to current American wars in
by Daniel Pipes2 Aug 2011, 4:05 AM PST0
The troubled academic study of the Middle East and Islam by Americans is changing in fundamental ways. I offer some thoughts based on 42 years of personal observation: From Western offence to Islamic offence: Muslim relations with Christians divide into
by Daniel Pipes5 Jul 2011, 8:41 AM PST0
For the first time in its exceedingly long history, Yemen now threatens the outside world. It does so in two principal ways. First, even before the current political upheaval began there on January 15, violence out of Yemen already impinged
by Daniel Pipes8 Jun 2011, 7:51 AM PST0
After American forces leave Iraq at the end of 2011, Tehran will try to turn its neighbor into a satrapy (i.e., a province, a satellite state) to the great detriment of Western, moderate Arab, and Israeli interests. Intense Iranian efforts
by Daniel Pipes10 May 2011, 5:01 AM PST0
Osama Bin Laden was just a part of Al-Qaeda which is just a part of the Islamic terrorist effort which is just a part of the Islamist movement, so the announcement of his death tonight by the U.S. government makes
by Daniel Pipes1 May 2011, 8:42 PM PST0
As Egypt lurches into a new era, a look at its complexities and subtleties helps to understand the country’s likely course. Some thoughts on key issues: The spirit of Tahrir Square is real and alive but exceedingly remote from the
by Daniel Pipes26 Apr 2011, 2:51 AM PST0
The self-immolation on Dec. 17, 2010 of an obscure Tunisian, Mohammed Bouazizi, set off a political firestorm across the Middle East that has yet to subside. His story as first told contained some inaccuracies; so now, with facts and his
by Daniel Pipes19 Apr 2011, 9:30 AM PST0
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu grandiloquently proclaimed a few days ago that, “If the world is on fire, Turkey is the firefighter. Turkey is assuming the leading role for stability in the Middle East.” Turkey’s President Gül warmly greets Ahmadinejad.
by Daniel Pipes12 Apr 2011, 4:59 AM PST0
When Pastor Terry Jones, 59, announced an intent to burn a Koran on the anniversary of 9/11 in 2010, the U.S. government, fearing attacks on American troops abroad, put intense pressure on him to desist and eventually he called off
by Daniel Pipes6 Apr 2011, 8:14 AM PST0
After decades of stasis, the Middle East is in uproar. With too much going on to focus on a single place, here’s a review of developments in four key countries. Mu’ammar al-Qaddafi in full military splendor. Libya: With most Americans
by Daniel Pipes29 Mar 2011, 3:40 AM PST0
The official hymn of the U.S. Marine Corps famously begins with “From the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli, we fight our country’s battles in the air, on land, and sea.” The reference to Tripoli alludes to the
by Daniel Pipes10 Mar 2011, 8:21 AM PST0
Unprecedented convulsions across the Middle East, from Morocco to Iran, prompt three reflections: First, these rebellions fit into the context of a regional chessboard, what I call the Middle East cold war. On one side stands the “resistance” bloc led
by Daniel Pipes1 Mar 2011, 4:03 AM PST0
If developments in Egypt have gone as well as one could hope for, future prospects remain unclear. The exciting part is over, now come the worries. Let’s start with three pieces of good news: Hosni Mubarak, Egypt’s strongman who appeared
by Daniel Pipes16 Feb 2011, 12:02 PM PST0
As Egypt’s much-anticipated moment of crisis arrived and popular rebellions shook governments across the Middle East, Iran stands as never before at the center of the region. Its Islamist rulers are within sight of dominating the region. But revolutions are
by Daniel Pipes2 Feb 2011, 3:29 AM PST0
The sudden and yet-unexplained exit of Tunisia’s strongman, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, 74, after 23 years in power has potential implications for the Middle East and for Muslims worldwide. As an Egyptian commentator noted, “Every Arab leader is watching
by Daniel Pipes19 Jan 2011, 11:23 AM PST0
Fifteen years ago this week, on Jan. 1, 1996, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz became regent and effective ruler of Saudi Arabia. His anniversary offers an opportunity to review the kingdom’s changes under his leadership and whither it now heads. The Saudi
by Daniel Pipes4 Jan 2011, 5:35 AM PST0
Of all the Wikileaks revelations, the most captivating may be learning that several Arab leaders have urged the U.S. government to attack Iranian nuclear facilities. Most notoriously, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia called on Washington to “cut off the head
by Daniel Pipes14 Dec 2010, 4:59 AM PST0
Early in the sixteenth century, as the Ottoman and Safavid empires fought for control of the Middle East, Selim the Grim ruling from Istanbul indulged his artistic side by composing distinguished poetry in Persian, then the Middle East’s language of
by Daniel Pipes1 Dec 2010, 4:01 AM PST0
As Americans learn more about Islam, the aspect they find most objectionable is not its theology (such as whether Allah is God or not) nor its symbolism (such as an Islamic cultural center in lower Manhattan) but its law code,
by Daniel Pipes16 Nov 2010, 5:25 AM PST0
A new German political party, Die Freiheit (The Freedom), had its inaugural meeting on October 28 in Berlin. I was in town, so its leadership invited me to be the only non-member of the nascent party to witness and report
by Daniel Pipes3 Nov 2010, 5:58 AM PST0
How should American voters concerned with Israel’s welfare and security vote in the U.S. Congressional elections on Nov. 2? This much is clear after almost two years of Democratic control over the executive and legislative branches of government: Democrats consistently
by Daniel Pipes19 Oct 2010, 4:17 AM PST0