IDF & Lebanon: Revisiting a War That's Seldom Discussed - Washington Post

Palestinian Suicide Bombers Attack Gaza Crossing - New York Times

Suicide Bombers Attack at Gaza Border Crossing - Washington Post

Israel Kills 7 Hamas Militants After Attack on Gaza Crossing - Associated Press

Israeli Air Strikes Kill Five Gaza Militants - Reuters

Carter Holds 2nd Meeting with Chief in Syria - Associated Press

Carter Wraps Up Visit to Damascus - BBC News

Carter's Unhelpful Freelancing - Boston Globe editorial

Citizen Carter's Ego Trip - Washington Times opinion

MIDDLE EAST

Taking Cue from Hezbollah, Hamas Honing Fighting Force - Washington Times

Syria, Israel Trade Messages on Possible Peace Talks - Associated Press

UN Closes Offices in Yemen - Associated Press

When to Talk to Thugs - New York Post editorial

Mideast Peace Prospects - Washington Times opinion

Puncturing Mideast Myths - Washington Times opinion

Iran Watching US Campaigns - Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times


Carter: Hamas Ready To Live Beside Israel - Griff Witte, Washington Post


Carter Says Hamas and Syria Are Open to Peace - Ethan Bronner, New York Times

Carter: Hamas will Deal with Israel - Tim Butcher, London Daily Telegraph

Hamas Rebuts Carter's Claim of Concession - Joshua Mitnick, Washington Times

Hamas Rejects Israeli Recognition - BBC News

Syria Tunes in the West on Madina FM - Borzou Daragahi, Los Angeles Times

Egypt Builds a Wall - David Schenker, Weekly Standard opinion

Carter, Back from Syria - Max Boot, Contentions

Watching Warily from the Gulf - Marc Lynch, Abu Aardvark

O'Hanlon Goes to Tehran in Search of Failure - Dr. iRack, Abu Muqawama

Scott Wilson’s War - Noah Pollak, Contentions

Talks in Moscow Get Scant Support - Nicholas Kralev, Washington Times
Administration Disavows Carter’s Trip - Weisman and Worth, New York Times
Hamas and Jordan - Washington Times editorial
Jimmy Carter's Gambit - London Times editorial
Carter's Tragic Misjudgment - Eric Cantor, National Review opinion
The Futility of Talking to Tehran - Abe Greenwald, Contentions

Israel changes tune on Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has been unequivocal recently in his assurances that Iran will not get the bomb. This is a sea-change for the Israeli leader, who until now has been careful to keep "all options" on the table, and reflects the conviction that diplomatic means will be central in stopping Tehran from going nuclear. (Apr 23, '08)

MIDDLE EAST

US Weighing Readiness for Action Against Iran - Ann Scott Tyson, Washington Post
Chiefs Get Ready for Attack on Iran - Merv Benson, PrairiePundit
Polling Stations Quiet in Iran - Nazila Fathi, New York Times
Iran Hardliners Strengthen Hold - BBC News
Gunman Kills 2 at Israel Industrial Park - Richard Boudreaux, Los Angeles Times
Pyongyang and Damascus - Washington Times editorial
The Syrian Nuclear Program - Richard Fernandez, The Belmont Club
Axis of Evil - Jules Crittenden, Forward Movement
Israel's Right to Defend - Beres and Ben-Israel, Washington Times opinion

Destroy Iran's Nukes - Alasdair Palmer, London Daily Telegraph opinion
Hamas Says Cease-fire is a 'Tactic' - Associated Press
Round Two On Hamas - Jennifer Rubin, Contentions
Palestinian Islamic “Internal Struggle” - Bill West, Counterterrorism
Lebanon Sets May 13 to Elect President - Reuters

Pentagon Hikes Tehran Pressure - Sara Baxter, The Australian
Iran Demands Russian Nuclear Shipment - Nasser Karimi, Reuters
Saudis: Why Blogger was Jailed - Caryle Murphy, Christian Science Monitor
Hamas Tightens Restrictions in Gaza - Associated Press
Hamas: Incompetent or Cruel - The Australian editorial

Syria bristles at US charges
Washington's accusations that Syria and North Korea cooperated on a nuclear site that was allegedly destroyed by an Israeli air strike last September, are being laughed off in Damascus as another "convenient inaccuracy". The charge would be downright funny if it didn't come with the dangerous potential of mushrooming into war, as happened when Iraq was accused of developing weapons of mass destruction. - Sami Moubayed (Apr 28, '08)

Iran Takes Goodwill Tour to India - Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor
IDF Shows Off Unmanned, Armed Vehicle - Matti Friedman, Associated Press
Plutonium on the Euphrates II - Wall Street Journal editorial
Syrious Blow to Nonproliferation - Ed Royce, National Review opinion
Al Kibar: How Bad Proliferation Has Become - Westhawk, Westhawk
Syriana - Noah Pollak, Contentions
A “Reckless Intelligence Striptease” - David Hazony, Contentions
6 Killed in Israeli Raid on Gaza - Alouf and Khalil, Los Angeles Times

Saudi Arabia Death Fatwa - Caryle Murphy, Christian Science Monitor
Israel Gets Ready to Deal - Boston Globe editorial
Deterrence or Olive Branch? - Claude Salhani, Washington Times opinion
Iran and AQI, the Prequel and the Sequel - March Lynch, Abu Aardvark

Iran-US talks await new leadership era
It is unlikely that either the George W Bush administration or hardliners in Tehran will initiate serious bilateral talks prior to the US presidential elections in November. The prospect of dialogue with Iran seems plausible after the vote, but only if the next US president is willing to risk strengthening President Mahmud Ahmadinejad's hand before Iran's 2009 presidential polls. (Apr 30, '08)

Myanmar's spoiled vote for democracy
For the first time since 1990, voters in Myanmar will go to the polls for a national referendum on a new constitution. The ruling military junta has promised that the vote will be transparent, fair and systematic. Political opposition groups and diplomats are concerned the results could easily be rigged in the military's favor. - Larry Jagan (Apr 30, '08)

Growing pains for India's milk banks
Despite the vital service human milk banks provide in India, their popularity has been soured by the rise of formulas and concerns about virus transmission. Nor is India's over-stretched health sector doing much to promote or sustain new milk banks, despite their proven lifesaving qualities. - Neeta Lal (Apr 30, '08)

Warships 'to Remind Iran of US Power' - The Australian
Rice Hopeful on Mid East Peace - David Sands, Washington Times
Palestinian Militants Back Hamas Truce Plan - Ashraf Khalil, Los Angeles Times
Palestinian Factions Agree to Truce - Aziz El-Kaissouni, Reuters
Israel Can Remove 10 W. Bank Checkpoints - Karin Laub, Associated Press
IAEA Righteous Indignation - Steve Schippert, The Tank

US Rebuke over Palestinian Funds - BBC News
Rice: Israelis and Palestinians Must Agree on Final Borders - Associated Press
Mirrors and Misconceptions - Arnaud de Borchgrave, Washington Times opinion
Israel Marks Holocaust, Future... - Con Coughlin, London Daily Telegraph opinion
Are Israel and Syria Close to a Deal? - Tigerhawk, Tigerhawk

srael’s Tactics Thwart Attacks, With Trade-Off - Isabel Kershner, New York Times
Israel Clears Army in 5 Gaza Deaths - New York Times
Israel Told to Halt W. Bank Settlement - David Blair, London Daily Telegraph
Palestinian Recruits Hit Streets Unprepared - Witte and Knickmeyer, Washington Post
Call to Arabs on Palestinian Aid - BBC News
12 Killed in Bombing at Yemeni Mosque - Robert Worth, New York Times
Yemeni Troops Clash with Rebels - Ahmed Al-Haj, Associated Press

Analysts Divided on Clinton's Arab Defense Plan - Glenn Kessler, Washington Post
Israel Fears Potential 60th Birthday Terror - Uzi Mahnaimi, London Times
Israel Urged to Lift West Bank Barriers - Nicholas Kralev, Washington Times
Rice Meets Israeli, Palestinian Leaders - Arshad Mohammed, Reuters
Rice in Mid-East for Fresh Talks - BBC News
Rice Pushes for Progress on Peace - Anne Gearan, Associated Press
Rice to Push Israel to Lift More W. Bank Barriers - Ori Lewis, Reuters
Olmert Says Will Meet Palestinian President - Associated Press
Palestinians Seek Support on Borders - Isabel Kirshner, New York Times
Abbas Sends Forces to North West Bank - Reuters
Hundreds of Palestinian Troops Take Up Positions in Jenin - Associated Press
Palestine Before and After - Sherri Muzher, Washington Times opinon
Lebanon: Hezbollah Arms Stockpile Bigger - Sebastian Rotella, Los Angeles Times
Clashes Break Out In N. Yemen as Truce Falters - Reuters
Yemenis Protest Mosque Bomb as Northern Truce Falters - Reuters
Military Success, Political Stalemate - Abu Muqawama, Abu Muqawama

Israeli Political Crisis Overshadows Rice’s Trip - Ethan Bronner, New York Times
Rice Says Peace in Middle East Attainable - James Hider, London Times
Abbas Despairs on Foils to Peace - Nicholas Kralev, Washington Times
Rice Sees Mid-East Deal This Year - BBC News
Rice Pushes for Peace Progress - Anne Gearan, Associated Press
Rice Presses Israel on Roadblocks - Reuters
Israel Monitors a Fragile Calm - Sydney Morning Herald
Bid to Salvage Shia-Yemen Truce - Andrew Bolton, BBC News
Yemeni Rebel Leader Warns of Escalation - Associated Press
Yemen Army Warns Rebels to Heed Truce - Reuters
Saudi Stick-Up - Ralph Peters, New York Post opinion

Turkey Aims for Clout as Mediator - Yigal Schleifer, Christian Science Monitor
Rice Embraces Mideast Errands - Associated Press
Olmert and Abbas Meet for Talks - BBC News
Israel's Premier Pledges Fewer Restrictions on Palestinians - Associated Press
UN Suspends Food Aid to Gaza - BBC News
US Monitors to Study West Bank Roadblocks - Reuters
Still No Fair Agreement for Israel - Tulin Daloglu, Washington Times opinion
Funding Israel's Detractors - Gerald Steinberg, Wall Street Journal opinion
Hitting the Streets in Jenin - Noah Pollak, Contentions
Hezbollah in Beirut Airport Spying Row - BBC News
Lebanon Looking into Hezbollah Cameras at Airport - Associated Press

Israelis Fearing War - Martin Chulov, The Australian
Beirut Airport Official Removed over Alleged Hezbollah Ties - Associated Press
Beirut to Axe Hezbollah Telecoms - BBC News
Anti-government Protesters Block Roads in Beirut - Reuters
Palestinian Police Clash with Militants - Richard Boudreaux, Los Angeles Times
Palestinian Police Battle Gunmen, Test US Plan - Griff Witte, Washington Post
Palestinian Police Fight Militants in West Bank Town - Associated Press
After 60 Years, Arabs in Israel Are Outsiders - Ethan Bronner, New York Times
Who Will Save Imad Sa'ad? - Jeff Jacoby, Boston Globe opinion
Israel Now America's Closest Ally - Michael Oren, Wall Street Journal opinion
Saudi Arabia: No Small Challenge, No Great Ally - Steve Schippert, Threats Watch
Kuwait: The Failings of Successful Democracy - Abe Greenwald, Contentions

White House: Time Not Right for Three-way Mideast Meeting - Associated Press
Spectre of War Returns to Haunt Lebanon - Nicholas Blanford, London Times
Violence Flares in Beirut Amid Protests - Alia Ibrahim, Washington Post
Clashes in General Strike in Lebanon - Nada Bakri, New York Times
Beirut Clashes Amid Strike - Rafei and Daragahi, Los Angeles Times
Clashes as Strike Grips Lebanon - BBC News
Lebanon Political Conflict Turns Violent - Reuters
Clashes Erupt in Lebanon as Hezbollah Stages Labor Strike - Associated Press
Hezbollah Piles Pressure on Lebanese Government - Reuters
Beirut on the Brink - Noah Pollak, Contentions
Condi, George Marshall and Israel - Washingtron Times editorial
Hitting the Streets in Jenin (and Nablus) - Noah Pollak, Contentions

Violence Paralyzes Beirut for Second Day - Ibrahim and Wright, Washington Post
Clashes Intensify in Beirut - Nada Bakri, New York Times
Hezbollah, Sunni Gunmen Fight in Beirut - Borzou Daragahi, Los Angeles Times
Gunmen Seize Part of Beirut - The Australian
Five Killed in Beirut Gun Battles - BBC News
Hezbollah Fighters Impose Control on Beirut - Reuters
Clashes Erupt for Second Day in Lebanon - Associated Press
Lebanon’s Pain is Israel’s Gain - Westhawk, Westhawk
The Realities for Hezbollah - Abu Muqawama, Abu Muqawama
Nasrallah Speaks - Noah Pollak, Contentions
The Strategic Hammer Hits Hezbollah - Galrahn, Information Dissemination
Statehood for Hezbollah? - Noah Pollak, Contentions
Olmert ‘Never Took a Bribe,’ He Says - Bronner and Cowan, New York Times
Olmert Suspected of Massive Bribe-taking - Reuters
Olmert Faces New Corruption Probe - BBC News

Hezbollah Gunmen Seize Beirut Neighborhoods - Alia Ibrahim, Washington Post
Hezbollah Storms to Success in W. Beirut - Nicholas Blanford, London Times
Hezbollah Moves to Control of W. Beirut - Daragahi and Rafei, Los Angeles Times
Barricading Beirut - Rana Fil, Newsweek
Hezbollah Fighters Sweep Over Much of Beirut's Muslim Sector - Associated Press
Fighting in Beirut Threatens Administration Priority - Robin Wright, Washington Post
Cabinet Condemns Hezbollah 'Coup' - BBC News
Battle for Beirut - London Times editorial
Flames Lick at Lebanon - Boston Globe editorial
Time for an Insurgency inside Lebanon - Westhawk, Westhawk
Hezbollah’s Beirut’s Blitz - Walid Phares, Counterterrorism
Q&A on Lebanon & Hezbollah - Abu Muqawama, Abu Muqawama
Lebanon's Crisis Not Really a Sunni-Shia Crisis - Marc Lynch, Abu Aardvark
The Lesson of Lebanon - Noah Pollak, Contentions
Things Get Worse in Lebanon - David Hazony, Contentions
Attack from Gaza Kills 1, Israeli Retaliation Kills 5 - Associated Press
The Myth Of Occupied Gaza - Rivkin and Casey, Washington Post opinion
Israel Readying for a Post-Olmert Era - Ethan Bronner, New York Times
Israeli-Palestinian Peace Obstacles - Wahid and A'la, Wall Street Journal opinion
Assad’s “Full Reciprocity” - Emanuele Ottolenghi, Contentions
Re: Assad’s “Full Reciprocity” - Eric Tager, Contentions

Arabs Hold Crisis Talks on Hezbollah ‘Coup’ - Uzi Mahnaimi, London Times
Lebanon Struggles to Defuse Crisis - Alia Ibrahim, Washington Post
Hezbollah Begins to Withdraw in Beirut - Worth and Bakri, New York Times
Lebanon Won't Take on Hezbollah - Wheeler and Gilbert, London Daily Telegraph
Hezbollah to End Armed Presence in Beirut - Ed Yeranian, Voice of America
Hezbollah Leave West Beirut - The Australian
Crisis Eases in Lebanon - Mark MacKinnon, Globe and Mail
US to Stand by Lebanon's PM - Olivier Knox, Sydney Morning Herald
Hezbollah Fighters in Beirut Melt Away - Associated Press
Hezbollah to End Beirut Seizure - BBC News
Lebanese Violence Reaches Tripoli - BBC News
Clashes in Northern and Eastern Lebanon - Associated Press
Lebanon’s Third Civil War - Michael Totten, Contentions
Is Lebanon in a Civil War? - Abu Muqawama, Abu Muqawama
US Looks Set to Offer Israel Powerful New Radar - Reuters
Bush's Odds for Mideast Peace Wane - Jon Ward, Washington Times
Embattled Olmert Vows to Lead Peace Drive - Reuters
Palestinian Negotiator Worries About Olmert Impact - Reuters
Israel to Hear Egypt on Gaza Truce Idea - Reuters
Fuel Shortage Forces Gaza Blackout - Reuters
Israel's Unhappy Birthday - Benny Morris, Los Angeles Times opinion
A Triumph of Life and Hope - Jeff Jacoby, Boston Globe opinion
Forget the Two-state Solution - Saree Makdisi, Los Angeles Times opinion
For Palestinians, Mourning - Yousef Munayyer, Boston Globe opinion
Israel Facing Demographic Challenge - Trudy Rubin, Miami Herald opinion

Purchases Linked N. Korean to Syria - Wright and Warrick, Washington Post

Lebanese Groups Clash In Villages Near Capital - Alia Ibrahim, Washington Post
Fierce Fighting Breaks Out East of Beirut - Nada Bakri, New York Times
Lebanese Army Steps into the Fray - Nicholas Blanford, Christian Science Monitor
Lebanon's Sunni Bloc Built Militia - Daragahi and Rafei, Los Angeles Times
Hezbollah 'Redrawing' Mideast Map - Joshua Mitnick, Washington Times
Lebanese Army Deploys in Mountains Outside Beirut - Associated Press
Hezbollah Rocks Eastern Villages - BBC News
Thirty Six Killed in Lebanon Mountain Battle - Reuters
Lebanese Army Caught in Crossfire - Nicholas Blanford, London Times
Lebanese Violence Spreads to Mountains Outside Capital - Associated Press
Fighting Spreads East of Beirut - BBC News
Hezbollah Battles Druze East of Beirut - Reuters
Arab League Tries to Broker Lebanon Settlement - Associated Press
Yemen Court Sentences Four Shi'ite Rebels to Death - Reuters
Experience With Syria Exemplifies Challenge - Joby Warrick, Washington Post
Scandal Threatens Olmert's Premiership - Griff Witte, Washington Post
A Talk With President Peres - Washington Post interview
A Talk With Prime Minister Fayyad - Washington Post interview
Priority: Statehood - Daoud Kuttab - Washington Post opinion
Gaza Power Plant Shut Down Reducing Electricity Supply - Associated Press
Israel at 60 - London Times editorial
The Jewish State at 60 - William Kristol, New York Times opinion
And Many More to Come - Mark Steyn, Washington Times opinion
Tehran, Damascus Ascendant - Washington Times editorial
Arab Assimilation - David Hazony, Contentions

In Lebanon, a Call for US Action - Erdbrink and Wright, Washington Post
Druze Plead for US Help in Lebanon - Sara Carter, Washington Times
Army Says It Will Use Force to Quell Fighting - Robert Worth, New York Times
Bush Offers Help for Lebanon Army - BBC News
Fighting in Tripoli, Beirut Calm - Associated Press
Lebanese Army Says will Intervene from Tuesday - Reuters
From Lebanon to Hezbollahstan - Bret Stephens, Wall Street Journal opinion
What’s Wrong in Lebanon - Claudia Rosett, National Review opinion
Civil War in the Video Age - Abu Muqawama, Abu Muqawama
Jordan Charges Man in Honor Killing of Sister - Associated Press
Bush's Inauspicious Visit - Washington Post editorial

Leb. Army Ups Beirut Presence - Sana Abdallah, Washington Times
Lebanon Army 'Ready to Use Force' - BBC News
Why Hezbollah Should be Condemned - Dean Godson, London Times opinion
Enabling Hezbollah - Ralph Peters, New York Post opinion
Hezbollah's Guns Trump the Pen - Claude Salhani - Washington Times opinion
Bush Heads Back to Mideast Amid Fading Peace Hopes - Reuters
Rice Says Mideast Peace Improbable, Not Impossible - Associated Press
Latest Scandal Could Topple Olmert - Richard Boudreaux, Los Angeles Times
Olmert Claims Progress with Abbas - BBC News
Israel to Expand West Bank Settlements - Associated Press
Peace Failure to Clouds Israel's Birthday - Joshua Mitnick, Washington Times
Hamas Rejects Israeli Truce Terms - BBC News
Jimmy Carter and Hamas - Los Angeles Times online debate
Worker Struggle Points Up Egypt's Problems - Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times
Real Nowhere Land - Amin Abbas, The Australian opinion

In Israel, Bush Speaks Of Hope - Witte and Abramowitz, Washington Post
Rocket Hits as Bush Begins Israel Visit - Stolberg and Bronner, New York Times
Rocket Attack Mars Bush's Israel Visit - Joshua Mitnick, Washington Times
Palestinian Movement Loses Momentum - Joshua Mitnick, Washington Times
Bush Holds Joint Press Conference with Peres - Washington Post transcript
Bush's Farewell Mideast Tour - Boston Globe editorial
Squeeze on the Middle East's Moderates - David Ignatius, Washington Post opinion
Egypt's Economy Soars; So Does Misery - David Lynch, USA Today
Egypt's Unrest in Perspective - Hamzawy and Herzallah, Washington Post opinion
Hamas, Unrepentant - Noah Pollak, Contentions
Lebanon Reverses Decisions - Robert Worth, New York Times
Cabinet Backs Off in Scrap With Hezbollah - Shadid and Alia Ibrahim, Washington Post
Lebanese Cabinet Reverses Decisions - Associated Press
Lebanon Revokes Hezbollah Curbs - BBC News
Lebanon at the Edge - New York Times editorial
Lebanon Model for Peace? - Rami Khouri, Sydney Morning Herald opinion
Hezbollah in Control - Frida Ghitis, Miami Herald opinion
With Apologies To Hezbollah - Steve Schippert, Threats Watch
US Shows Support for Lebanon's Gov. - Nancy Youssef, Nukes and Spooks

Coups and counter-coups
The Saudi Arabian accusation of an Iran-inspired "coup" by Hezbollah in Lebanon is a misnomer. The more apt description would be a government coup, inspired by the United States, and Hezbollah's successful "counter-coup". - Kaveh L Afrasiabi (May 15, '08)

US plot to nail Iran backfires

The George W Bush administration and General David Petraeus, the top US commander in Iraq, plotted a sequence of events that would sensationally build domestic US political support for a possible strike against Iran. Key to this was to be the display of a major cache of Iranian weapons for use by Shi'ite militias in the Iraqi city of Karbala. The weapons turned out to have nothing to do with Iran, and worse, the Iraq government suddenly distanced itself from the US's plan. - Gareth Porter (May 15, '08)

THE ROVING EYE
The US-Iran sound bite showdown
Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad's latest comments on Israel have been variously translated in the Western media, the most ominous having it that Israel will not save itself from "death and destruction". This will inevitably be seized on by the George W Bush administration as more evidence that Tehran wants to "destroy" Israel, muscling up the case for a US attack. Maybe that is what Ahmadinejad intends. - Pepe Escobar (May 15, '08)

Bush Denounces Mideast Extremists - Abramowitz and Branigin, Washington Post
Bush Exalts Ties to Israel - Joshua Mitnick, Washington Times
Bush Outlines Blunt Vision for ME - Ilene Prusher, Christian Science Monitor
Bush to Hold Talks With Saudi King on Oil Prices - VOA
Bush to Press Saudi King on Oil Prices and Iran - Reuters
Abbas Pledges to End Israeli Occupation - BBC News
Israel Warns of Gaza Rocket Range - BBC News
Bin Laden Marks Israel Anniversary with Combat Vow - Reuters
Olmert's Political Abyss - Washington Times editorial
A Test for Abbas - Adam Brodsky, New York Post opinion
Lebanese Adversaries to Meet - Challiss McDonough, VOA
Lebanese to Hold Crisis Talks in Qatar - Reuters
Feuding Lebanese Factions Reach Deal to Elect President - Associated Press
Deal Seeks to End Lebanon Strife - BBC News
Hezbollah Shows Might in Lebanon, but Faces Limits - Associated Press

Saudis Rebuff Bush on Pumping More Oil - Stolberg and Mouawad, New York Times
Oil Efforts Are Best Possible, Saudis Say - Michael Abramowitz, Washington Post
Saudis Increase Oil Production - Patrice Hill, Washington Times
Beseeching the Saudis - Wall Street Journal editorial
Appeasing an Arab Autocrat - Gordon Chang, Contentions
Bush to Head for Egypt Talks with Palestinians - Reuters
Arab League Claims Lebanese Peace Deal - Martin Chulov, The Australian
Lebanese Leaders Aim to End Political Crisis - Associated Press
Lebanon: Rebels Call the Shots - Martin Chulov, The Australian
Kuwait Votes for a New Parliament - Associated Press
Be-bop Galula - Richard Fernandez, The Belmont Club
The Silent City - Richard Fernandez, The Belmont Club

Hezbollah Ignites Sectarian Fuse in Lebanon - Worth and Bakri, New York Times
Hezbollah Emerges Ahead in Lebanon - Anthony Shadid, Washington Post
Lebanese Factions at Qatar Talks - BBC News
High-level Lebanese Talks in Qatar - Associated Press
Hezbollah's Power Play - Washington Times editorial
The Limits of War in Lebanon - Boston Globe editorial
The Resistance as Oppressor - Abu Muqawama, Abu Muqawama
Square One in Lebanon - Abu Muqawama, Abu Muqawama
Mapping Hezbollah Telecoms - Michael Innes, Complex Terrain Laboratory
Bush Emphasizes Peace Deal Commitment - Michael Abramowitz, Washington Post
Bush Says Saudi Oil Increase is Not Enough - VOA
Saudis See No Reason to Raise Oil Production Now - Associated Press
Bush Says Saudi Oil Boost Doesn't Solve US Problem - Associated Press
Bush Speech Seen Impeding Peace Talks - Joshua Mitnick, Washington Times
Bush: Mideast Must Push Back Against Iran, Syria - Associated Press
Bush Meets Palestinian President - BBC News
Food Crisis Opening for Fundamentalists - Borzou Daragahi, Los Angeles Times
Religious Hardliners Gain in Kuwait - Associated Press
Israeli, Egyptian Leaders to Seek Gaza Cease-fire - Associated Press
Kuwaitis Elect New Parliament - Associated Press
Coming Soon, Scorsese of Arabia - Abdullah Al-Eyaf, Washington Post opinion
Online Rebellion Struck Down in Egypt - Ellen Knickmeyer, Washington Post

Sunni Backlash in Lebanon - Nicholas Blanford, Christian Science Monitor
Lebanese Sunnis Bitter After Hezbollah Triumph - Associated Press
Lebanese Rivals Seek Resolution - Martin Chulov, The Australian
Lebanese Leaders Make Some Progress at Qatar Talks - Reuters
On One Street in Beirut, All Are Welcome - Borzou Daragahi, Los Angeles Times
Iran's Lebanon Game - Amir Taheri, New York Post opinion
Hollow States: Lebanon - John Robb, Global Guerrillas
The Resistance as Oppressor - Abu Muqawama, Abu Muqawama
Bush Takes Arabs to Task Over Oppression - Jon Ward, Washington Times
Bush’s Speech Prods Middle East Leaders - Sheryl Gay Stolberg, New York Times
Bush Criticizes Arab Nations for Repression - Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times
Abbas Rejects US Mediation in Peace Talks - Joshua Mitnick, Washington Times
US Reports Progress in Mideast Talks - Scott Stearns, VOA
Olmert Threatens Gaza Offensive - Robert Berger, VOA
Bush Calls for Democratic Reform in Mideast - Michael Abramowitz, Washington Post
Bush Rebukes Arab Leaders for Repression - Sonia Verma, London Times
Bush Speech Angers Arab Leaders - Orly Halpern, Globe and Mail
US Reports Progress in Mideast Talks - Stearns and el Sheikh, VOA
Bush Tries to Convince Arab Skeptics on Peace Push - Reuters
Bush Lectures Arabs on Political Reform, Women's Rights - Associated Press
Bush Urges Middle East Democracy - BBC News
Cameras Record Gaza's Gruesome Reality - Martin Chulov, The Australian
Islamists Gain Seats in Kuwait Parliament - Aya Batrawy, VOA
Islamists Win 24 of 50 Seats in Kuwait Parliament - Robert Worth, New York Times

Hezbollah, Government Meet Impasse in Qatar Talks - Associated Press
France Discloses 'Contacts' With Hamas - Molly Moore, Washington Post
Middle East Musings - Tulin Daloglu, Washington Times opinion
Israel’s Goldberg Problem - Max Boot, Contentions
More On Goldberg - Max Boot, Contentions

Lebanese Factions Reach Agreement - Shadid and Ibrahim, Washington Post
Lebanese Deal Ends Civil War Threat - Nicholas Blanford, London Times
Lebanon Rivals Agree Crisis Deal - BBC News
Deal in Lebanon a Win for Hezbollah - Associated Press
Deal for Factions Leaves Hezbollah Stronger - Worth and Bakri, New York Times
Hezbollah Gets its Way in Lebanon - London Daily Telegraph editorial
The Power of Hezbollah - Los Angeles Times editorial
Hezbollah Wins in Lebanon - Andrew Cochran, Counterterrorism
Hezbollah as Iranian Occupier - Herschel Smith, The Captain's Journal
Hezbollah Comm Network Confirms Terror Goals - Walid Phares, Counterterrorism
Israel, Syria Confirm Peace Talks - Sockol and Knickmeyer, Washington Post
Israel Holds Peace Talks With Syria - Ethan Bronner, New York Times
Israel and Syria Open Peace Talks - James Hider, London Times
Israel, Syria Confirm Holding Peace Talks Mediated by Turkey - Jim Teeple, VOA
Israel Engages in Indirect Peace Talks with Syria - Associated Press
Olmert Warns of Syria Concessions - BBC News
4 Palestinians Reported Killed in Gaza Airstrikes - Associated Press
US on the Outside in Peace Efforts - Robin Wright, Washington Post analysis
Reason Arab-Israeli Conflict Can’t be Settled - Clifford May, National Review opinion

History in the making for Hezbollah

Somewhere in Beirut, the head of Hezbollah, the resilient Hasan Nasrallah, is a happy man. Resolutions were hammered out in Doha on Wednesday giving Hezbollah and its backers long-coveted veto power in the Lebanese government - and the group gets to keep its arms, no questions asked. Syria and Iran were also winners and Saudi Arabia's proxies, defeated militarily last week, were beaten politically in Doha. Nasrallah is writing history, his way. - Sami Moubayed (May 22, '08)

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Hezbollah Wins in Lebanon - Is This the "Grand Bargain" in Action?

By Andrew Cochran


Today is a day which we should mark on the calendar and remember for a long time. For on this day, it became abundantly clear that the Iranian-Syrian axis now controls Lebanon through Hezbollah, and Al Qaeda and the Taliban now control the Northwest provinces in Pakistan (see ABC News and the AP story). Both groups of terrorists won through sustained asymmetric (and, in Lebanon, conventional) warfare which eventually collapsed the will of the opposition, which was not supported in any material way by the United States and other nations. I want to concentrate on the events in Lebanon in this post.

Just eight days ago, in an emergency briefing that I helped to arrange on Capitol Hill for Congressional staff, Walid Phares accurately diagnosed the long-term Iranian-Syrian-Hezbollah strategy and forecast the outcome unless forces supporting the Cedars Revolution, specifically the U.S. and the U.N., would quickly mobilize. That didn't happen; I suspect, based on past experience, that the Administration couldn't come to a quick determination on the course of action, with the State Department probably at odds with other elements and the White House unable to build a coherent and forceful counterstrategy in time. As Walid posted below, Hezbollah not only built and runs a private strategic telecom network inside Lebanon, but now, thanks to the "victory treaty," it is capable of moving large numbers of men and material right into southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah's sizable conventional and asymmetric forces are a giant dagger aimed straight at Israel. What's the response? For some time, powerful officials in Washington and elsewhere have whispered about a "Grand Bargain" with Syria, to be concluded with the assistance of other Arab states. Rep. Gary Ackerman, chairman of the U.S. House Middle East subcommittee, concisely described the outlines of that proposal at a Congressional hearing on April 24:

"Many analysts believe that the relationship between Iran and Syria is a purely tactical and transactional one. Implicit in this belief is the idea that if only the United States would make Syria an offer of sufficient size and sweetness, the axis from Tehran to Damascus could be shattered and the Middle East transformed. Syria, in this view, might even join our team. In exchange for the return of the Golan Heights, and the restoration of its overlordship of Lebanon, Syria would renege on its relationship with Hezbollah, give Hamas the boot, and slam the door shut on Iran. The mullahs would be cut-off from their Lebanese and Palestinian terrorist proxies and isolated completely in the region. The flow of jihadis from Syria would dry up-perhaps in return for a restoration of Saddam’s old largess with Iraq’s oil-and the situation in Iraq would settle down, further isolating Iran from the Arab hinterland. Faced with a united Middle East, the ayatollahs would set their dreams of hegemony and Islamic revolution aside, and give up their nuclear program in exchange for international security guarantees."

Notice the catch: "The restoration of its (Syria's) overlordship of Lebanon." That has now occurred through its proxies in Lebanon. But be careful what you wish for - note Rep. Ackerman's assessment of the "Grand Bargain" that day in his statement:

"I’m not convinced. It sounds lovely, and it has a sort of logic to it. But it’s a fantasy. The relationship between Iran and Syria is longstanding, durable, and is based on a bedrock of shared interests. This relationship is meant to fulfill each party’s deepest strategic aspirations and regional ambitions. Neither state wishes to live as a second class citizen in a Middle East ordered, organized and run by Washington, Cairo, and Riyadh. They have bigger dreams."

So is today's news of talks between Israel and Syria, brokered by the U.S. and Turkey, the result of Israel's realization that it cannot count on the U.S. and U.N. to defend its northern border from a Hezbollah-led invasion or sustained guerilla warfare? Will it offer to return the Golan Heights in the hopes that it can forestall the inevitable Hezbollah invasion with guarantees for defensive measures by the U.S. and U.N.? (EDIT: Here is a McClatchy analysis supportive of the Grand Bargain. Note that it holds no hope for a Lebanon free of Hezbollah domination.) I agree with Rep. Ackerman, and I hope we don't see some American official waving a piece of paper and declaring "We have peace in our time" over this. Because right now, the good Lebanese have lost their freedom, and the new peace in Beirut is just an illusion. There's nothing grand and no bargain in that.

(EDIT: Contributing Expert David Schenker takes a different view: "But given the potential outcome of the 2009 parliamentary elections, the Shiite group's victory may be short lived.")

May 21, 2008 01:58 PM Link TrackBack (0) Print
Hezbollah's Communication Network Confirms Its Terror Goals

By Walid Phares


An intelligence map released by a French web site, referencing Lebanese sources, shows the extensive communications network established by Hezbollah throughout Lebanon. These closed telephone circuits are operationally independent of government networks. The Lebanese Ministry of Telecommunications has no link to these closed cable-based networks. These systems were at the heart of the latest confrontation between the Seniora cabinet and Hezbollah commander Hassan Nasrallah. The latter accused the government of attempting to seize these networks or supervising them, and the Lebanese government naturally stating that all telephonic networks in Lebanon, as in any country, must be under the auspices of the legal government. Hezbollah rejected this "normal" status and responded that since it perceives itself as a "resistance" therefore it can and should have its own "closed communications system." In other words, a state within the state.

The Lebanese government, operating under Lebanon's constitution, and under the auspices of UNSCR 1701 and 1559 declared - but didn't even act upon its declaration - that these telecommunication systems were not under government authority and thus must be integrated. This was a basic state of fact. But as soon as these ministerial decisions were publicized Hezbollah waged a blitz campaign on the Lebanese government. Even though the latter wasn't even ready to dismantle these networks nor did it have the necessary means to confront Hezbollah militarily, Secretary General of Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah held a press conference, declared war against the government, and gave the signal to the coup.

Why would Hezbollah wage such a risky war for a telecommunication system? Is it because of the income generated by these networks, used also to sell international phone calls? Less likely. The Iranian foreign aid to the terror group was upgraded from 300 million dollars to less than a billion dollars few months ago. Obviously more revenue isn't bad for the leaders of the so-called "resistance" but more important is the big picture revealed by the Hezbollah-phone map. Look at the web of cable (in red) on the map in this World Defense Review article and let's analyze this.

Read More »


Map A: Hezbollah Telecommunications System

The "Red Lines" stretch from southern Beirut along the coast to the Hezbollah exclusive zones in the south. They cover a complex network of bases in the area, cut through the Jezzine district and connect with the Bekaa valley all the way up to northern Lebanon. The most important features and dimensions of the Hezb-net are the following:

1. The net covers large parts of Greater Beirut: This can provide Hezbollah with the ability of organizing its forces in Dahiye (southern suburb of Beirut) for assaults against West Beirut, East Beirut and the Druze Mountain in Aley and the Shuf. The closed circuit can mobilize thousands of fighters without interception from Lebanese or international monitoring. It explains how Hezbollah launched its blitzkrieg offensive on Sunni Beirut, the Druze Mountain and was testing Christian Beirut, without real warning to the areas under attack.

2. The coastal cable-line links the Dahiye to the inner land of the Hezb. It serves to move troops and material from the south to the north without major detection. It explains how thousands of Hezbollah forces were moved from as far as Nabatieh and Tyre to Beirut. But it also tells about the capacity of Hezbollah to use it against UNIFIL forces in the future, if needed.

3. The network between the south and the Bekaa indicates the strategy of Hezbollah to close the gap to the East. As I have indicated in many articles and interviews previously, the Lebanese-Syrian borders are what counts to Hezbollah's Terror network. As long as these frontiers are open for Iran to supply weapons and logistics via Syria, the state within the state can thrive and grow. The Lebanese government and the UN, with European and US backing should have closed that gap three years ago, but they didn't. Let's leave the blame game to another discussion. Hezbollah was faster than any one else. According to this map the Iranian backed militia built an impressive network throughout East Lebanon from the southern fortresses to the closest position to the northern borders with Syria. This means that Hezbollah, by now, has covered the entire Bekaa valley, and thus has beaten the international community to the borders with Syria. Military and intelligence analysts can understand this development very clearly. Strategically, Hezbollah is in control of these areas as shown by Map B which I established two years ago.

Map B: Hezbollah Strategic Control Areas

4. In the mid Bekaa, the cable-route connects the center of the valley to one of the highest peaks in Mount Lebanon and - as Map A shows - thrusts into the mostly Christian districts of Byblos and Kesruan. This shows that Hezbollah has already established an axis of penetration inside the Mount Lebanon area, at few kilometers only from the sea shore.

5. Map A also shows that Hezbollah positions are connected to the Anti-Lebanon range and thus to the Syrian hinterland. Militarily there are no Lebanese-Syrian borders to stop the flow of weapons and forces coming from Iran through Syria into Lebanon.

6. The northern tips of the Hezbollah "cable road" shows clearly that its forces are deployed as far north as the Eastern slopes of the Cedars Mounts. From these positions, the Iranian-backed forces can seize the highest peak south of Turkey, leap to the Akkar district, and reach the northern borders with Syria.

7. More importantly, and because of the strategic bridge between Hezbollah and Iran, this communications network is a battlefield system which can be used by the Iranian Pasdaran and eventually by Syrian special forces in a potential mass return to Lebanon. During the summer of 2007, I presented the following projection-map in a briefing to the Caucus on Counter Terrorism at the US House of Representatives, as well as to a number of high-ranking US military officers. It shows the potential paths of a Hezbollah offensive in Lebanon.

Indeed, strategic projections show that Hezbollah can move its forces from the south towards Beirut (which was executed in May). But it also shows that combined forces of Hezbollah and Pasdaran can move on the Damascus road to Beirut and Mount Lebanon and to the center of the mountain as well. Hezbollah-Pasdaran forces would move in the north on an East-West axis and Jihadist elements and pro-Syrian forces can move from the borders to Tripoli. The Hezbollah communication systems shows that when time will come, massive reinforcement from Syria and Iran can move swiftly along axis already secured by Hezbollah across Lebanon. The invasion of West Beirut and the attacks against the Shuf and Aley districts are only the early signs of what is to come.

8. Last, but not least, the Hezbollah communications network can also allow an activation of their massive Rockets and Missiles system across Lebanon without significant interference from Western assets. The aim of this powerful missile force seems to be against a potential "international" force tasked with the mission of bringing peace to the country. Here again Hezbollah - and Iran - has already beaten the West in the race towards dominating the Eastern Mediterranean.

— Dr. Walid Phares is Director of the Future Terrorism Project at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD) in Washington, D.C., and a visiting scholar at the European Foundation for Democracy in Brussels. He is the author of the recently released book, The Confrontation: Winning the War against Future Jihad


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May 21, 2008 09:50 AM Link

Lebanon: 'For All This, People Have Died?' - Anthony Shadid, Washington Post
UN Council Supports Lebanon Deal - Associated Press
Lebanon: Peace in Our Time - New York Post editorial
Hearts, Minds, Votes for Hezbollah - Andrew Cochran, Counterterrorism
Lebanon's Crisis Deferred - David Schenker, Counterterrorism
Olmert Peace Effort Elicits Cynicism and Hope - Ethan Bronner, New York Times
Suicide Bomber Attacks Gaza Crossing - Isabel Kershner, New York Times
Palestinian Suicide Bomber Attacks Gaza Crossing - Associated Press
Israeli Srmy Kills Five Militants in Gaza - Reuters
Talking With the Enemy - New York Times editorial
At Peace Talks, No Sign of US - Boston Globe editorial
Behind the Israel-Syria Talks - Amir Taheri, New York Post opinion

Jewish Academia looks seriously at Kabbalah

Beirut Steps Back from the Brink, Again - Nicholas Blanford, London Times
Hezbollah Image in Arab World Less Shiny - Raed Rafei, Los Angeles Times
In Sign of Change, Israeli, Palestinian Officers Meet - Associated Press
Israeli Attacks Kill 5 Palestinian Militants in Gaza - Los Angeles Times
Israeli Police Question Olmert Again - Isabel Kirshner, New York Times

Hezbollah's Army Survives Under Lebanon Peace Deal - Associated Press
Lebanon's General Suleiman Set to Become President - Reuters
Hamas: Israel PM Too Weak to Talk Peace with Syria - Associated Press
Abbas Fears Olmert Probe May Hold Up Peace Talks - Reuters
Olmert Questioned on 'Corruption' - BBC News
Misreading the Arab Media - Pintak, Ginges and Felton, New York Times opinion

Israel 'Would Consider Strike' - Annette Young, The Scotsman

General Takes Office As President Of Lebanon - Shadid and Ibrahim, Washington Post
Lebanon Elects President to Ease Divide - Robert Worth, New York Times
Suleiman Sworn in as President of Lebanon - Borzou Daragahi, Los Angeles Times
Gunfire Welcomes Lebanon's New Leader - Nicholas Blanford, London Times
New President Rises on Army's Neutrality - Hussein Dakroub, Washington Times
Lebanese Parliament Elects Army Chief as President - Associated Press
Lebanese Parliament Elects Suleiman as President - Reuters
Lebanon Vote Ends Leader Deadlock - BBC News
America Should Help Lebanon - Gary Anderson, Washington Times opinion
Carter Says Israel Had 150 Nuclear Weapons - Bronwen Maddox, London Times
When Rockets Go Slam - Joel Mowbray, Washington Times opinion
Resurgent Syria Keeps Region Guessing - Martin Chulov, The Australian
Saudi Activist on Hunger Strike After Arrest - Associated Press
Egypt Plans to Extend Emergency Law - Reuters
A Homemade Peace in the Mideast - Barbara Slavin, Los Angeles Times opinion
The Iran-Syria-Hizballah-Hamas Alliance - J. Peter Pham, The Tank
Talking to the Brotherhood - Dominic Moran, Diplomatic Courier

Obstacles of an Israeli-Syrian Deal by Patrick Seale
Talks between Syria and Israel will lower tension in the troubled Middle East region. This, in itself, is a welcome development. But the gulf between the two countries is wide and deep, and it would be rash to expect it to be bridged any time soon.
more...

New Rules Define the Middle East by Rami G. Khouri
Condoleezza Rice was accidentally correct in summer 2006 that we witnessed the "birth pangs" of a new Middle East: Iran, Turkey, all the Arabs, Hizbullah, Hamas, and Israel share one common trait: They are routinely ignoring advice and threats from Washington.
more...

Lebanon: Despair to Dancing in Qatar - Alia Ibrahim, Washington Post
New Lebanese President Faces Big Hurdles - Martin Chulov, The Australian
Hezbollah Leader Plays Down Political Aims - Robert Worth, New York Times
Hezbollah Has Warning for Lebanon's New Government - Associated Press
Nasrallah's Dumb Speech - Abu Muqawama, Abu Muqawama
Israeli Leader Says Key Gaza Crossing to Stay Shut - Associated Press
Olmert Says Gave No Commitment on Golan - Reuters
Olmert: No Promises to Syria So Far in Talks - Associated Press