For Iran and Pakistan, Energy Trumps Enmity

by Fatemeh Aman via IPS News Iran appears to be putting its immediate economic and strategic needs ahead of religious solidarity as it seeks to promote ties with neighbouring Pakistan. Judging from a recent visit to Iran by Pakistani President Asef… Continue Reading

The US in the Middle East Today

by Charles Naas Not even a month in office, Secretary of State John Kerry took his first official trip to the troubled Middle East and immediately felt first-hand the pressures and metamorphosing power relationships in the region. He began his visit… Continue Reading

Syria: Western Aid Too Little, Too Late — Again

by Wayne White Amidst rumors that Washington finally decided to provide arms at least to selected Syrian opposition fighters, Secretary of State John Kerry announced that the US would do little more than increase its non-lethal aid to the opposition.… Continue Reading

U.S. Wasted Billions of Dollars on Iraqi Reconstruction

by Jim Lobe via IPS News Almost exactly a decade after the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, Washington’s efforts to help reconstruct the country have fallen far short, according to the final report by the U.S. Special Inspector General for… Continue Reading

Chuck Hagel Friend Requests Ehud Barak

by Marsha B. Cohen Newly confirmed Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel is scheduled to meet with Israel’s Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Tuesday morning, March 5. There’s more to this meeting than one might infer from harrumphing members of the right… Continue Reading