Paradox: Al Qaida spinoff ISIL is working with Iran to end Syrian war
WASHINGTON — Al Qaida’s leading force in the Levant was said to be linked to Iran. Leading Middle East analysts said the Al Qaida-inspired Islamic State of Iraq and (more…)
Gulf states’ litmus test for Qatar: Fate of star preacher on Al-Jazeera
ABU DHABI — It would be hard to exaggerate the Gulf Arab states’ crisis with Qatar over its support for the Muslim Brotherhood and Hizbullah. After six months of (more…)
Analyst warns Chinese incursion could ‘drain’ critical Israeli tech
TEL AVIV — Israel has undergone a debate over whether to allow major Chinese penetration in the business sector of the Jewish state. Chinese companies, which began their effort (more…)
Chechens played key role in Syria, honed skills before returning home
WASHINGTON — Chechen fighters have been playing a major role in Syria. Opposition sources and Western analysts agreed that Saudi Arabia has facilitated the recruitment of more than 1,000 (more…)
Obama seeks to maintain defense tech ties with frustrated Saudis
WASHINGTON — At a time when its energy requirements from Saudi Arabia are declining and its investment in improved ties with Iran is increasing, President Obama visited Riyad last (more…)
Intel Center: Iran’s IRGC commanded foreign Shi’ite fighters in Syria
TEL AVIV — Israel’s intelligence community has determined that Iran recruited up to 8,000 foreign Shi’ite fighters who played a decisive role in the Syrian war. The Intelligence and (more…)
Sisi draws on PR professionals to craft image as Egypt’s next leader
JERUSALEM — Defense Minister Abdul Fatah Sisi has been presented as the savior of Egypt with few details provided about his personal life. The Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs (more…)
Israeli, Egyptian intel tie Al Qaida revolt in Sinai to Hamas in Gaza
TEL AVIV — The Islamist revolt in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula has been linked to the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, a report said. The Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies asserted that (more…)
‘Core leaders’ of Al Qaida have returned to Egypt, renewed activities
WASHINGTON — Al Qaida has maintained a core leadership in Egypt. A leading counter-insurgency specialist told Congress that Egypt has become a haven for top operatives of Al Qaida. (more…)