Israel
Through a different camera: the source of Melanie Phillips’ discontent
It is unfortunate that Melanie Phillips based her allegations of BBC bias in its reporting of Israeli actions on a video by CAMERA (Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting… Continue reading
26 CommentsGoldstone recants
Judge Richard Goldstone has changed his mind. Writing in the Washington Post, he admits that his "fact-finding mission had no evidence" for key allegations made in the UN report into… Continue reading
28 CommentsCairo Diary: it’s the economy, stupid
Whether revolutions devour their own children often depends on the ability of a post-revolutionary government to deliver political freedom, jobs and services. Egypt is no different. If the economy opens… Continue reading
10 CommentsThe government should acknowledge Israeli restraint
With NATO planes circling above Libya, Saudi troops quashing protests in Bahrain, and troops killing civilians in Syria and Yemen, there has been little attention paid to Israel. But Israel… Continue reading
12 CommentsTehran’s latest provocation
The people of Egypt and Libya may have swung the spotlight onto their respective countries – but it is a spotlight that Iran is keen to exploit. Two of their… Continue reading
17 CommentsEastern promises
Events in Bahrain are yet another reminder of why the supposed choice between stability and democracy is a false one. The idea that in the medium to long term backing… Continue reading
10 CommentsReasons for optimism in the Middle East
I began the week in Israel, where I watched Tzipi Livni make an extraordinary pitch for the premiership by representing herself as the candidate of moderation and peace. I ended… Continue reading
31 CommentsAnd more from the world’s press on Egypt
Here are a few more pieces from around the world on the Egyptian revolution and its aftermath. Andrew Neil: More about the Muslim Brotherhood. Charles Krauthammer says a freedom plan… Continue reading
3 CommentsThe world reacts to the Egyptian Revolution
Mubarak’s exit has had a predictably seismic effect on Arab Street. Protests are spreading in Algeria; Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia are braced for dissent. Follow it all on al-Jazeera.… Continue reading
1 CommentFrom the archives: the fall of President Sadat
With protesters in Egypt trying to force President Mubarak to resign, here is the piece that Roger Cooper wrote for The Spectator on the event that propelled him to power:… Continue reading
7 CommentsWhere does it leave Israel?
Israel is in a right state over Egypt’s incipient revolution. Israeli politicians talk openly about the threat from an Islamist takeover, the greatness of Hosni Mubarak, and have even taken… Continue reading
28 CommentsFox: Iran could have a nuclear weapon by 2012
As Cairo smoulders, it’s easy to forget about one of the most combustible ingredients in the Middle Eastern cocktail – Iran. Yet the threat still exists, as Tony Blair and… Continue reading
23 CommentsWill Mubarak Fall?
A week ago, that would have seemed a foolish question. But after thousands of Egyptians have taken to the streets for two consecutive days of protest, even Hosni Mubarak is… Continue reading
18 CommentsThe Gaza flotilla raid was legal – but stupid
Yesterday saw the publication of a report into Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, the Hamas-run part of the Palestinian crypto-state, and the Israeli military’s raid on a flotilla of aid… Continue reading
20 CommentsHow Iran’s nuclear programme was delayed
Iran’s nuclear programme is the most likely source of a major global conflict. So it is highly significant that the outgoing head of Mossad recently told the Israeli parliament that… Continue reading
8 CommentsThe ultimate Jewish conspiracy theory
This has to be the ultimate Jewish conspiracy theory story. Why have the Wikileaks disclosures been so soft on Israel? Here is Tariq Shahid from the Palestine Think Tank. I’m… Continue reading
12 CommentsChinese burns
The latest cache of Wikileaks has done America no end of good. The Saudis urged the US to bomb Iran – a sign that the Arab world can make common… Continue reading
17 CommentsStop blaming Israel alone
Reading the British press – or even listening to some ministers – you would be forgiven for thinking that the only obstacle preventing Middle East peace is Israeli obstinacy and… Continue reading
31 CommentsIsrael, radical Islam and the EDL
I realise the title of this post looks like an open invitation to every lunatic conspiracy theorist on the web. But I’m afraid there’s no avoiding this. Israel and the… Continue reading
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