The Wall Street Journal interviewed a Syrian rebel commander and other fighters, who confirmed the worst kept secret of the Syrian conflict: that Israel is directly aiding Syrian rebel factions with both humanitarian and financial aid: ...Interviews with half a dozen rebels and three people familiar with Israel’s thinking reveal that the country’s … [Read more...]
Iran Terror Attack: Who Gains?
In the past, I had a well-informed Israeli source who confirmed Israeli participation in assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists and explosions at missile bases. Unfortunately, this source passed away some time ago. So what I write here will be based on informed speculation and circumstantial evidence. Who gains from the rather spectacular … [Read more...]
All’s Not Well in Sunnistan
Over the past few days, a bizarre set of threats and intrigue has beset the Sunni world. Last month, the Qatari national news agency released a statement from the Emir which predicted the demise of the Trump Presidency and expressed support for Iran, a Sunni rival. Just after the article appeared it was renounced by the Qatari government, which claimed … [Read more...]
Autocrats, Plutocrats, Theocrats: Dog-Whistle Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia
Some of the world's worst leaders from Hungary, to Russia to Iran have joined forces in echoing anti-Semitic tropes bashing American-Jewish financier, George Soros. In their assault, they've been aided by some imprecise reporting by the NY Times correspondent in Iran. In early May, before the recent presidential election won by Hassan Rouhani, Thomas … [Read more...]