Russian Realism in the Middle East

by Paul R. Pillar We should reflect on the meaning of Russia’s use of a base in Iran for staging airstrikes in Syria, and about what lessons we could learn from the Russians. The significance does not have to do… Continue Reading

Hey FDD: Israelis are Treating Jihadis, Too

by Jim Lobe The hard-line neoconservative Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) has been campaigning against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his AKP government for many years now. FDD has particularly targeted Erdogan since Israel’s Cast Lead Operation against Gaza… Continue Reading

Sen. Menendez Top Recipient of MEK-Related Campaign Funding

by Jim Lobe As readers of this blog already know, Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) was the top congressional recipient of “pro-Israel” campaign funding in the 2012 election cycle, the last time he ran for office, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.… Continue Reading

Three (Encouraging) Cases of Disastrous Political Overreach

by Graham E. Fuller There is a saying in classical Chinese: wu ji bi fan: When things reach extremes they must reverse course. That isn’t always true of course. But every once in a while, just when things seem to… Continue Reading