“Soft Power” refers to strategies by Western countries to affect change in other countries prioritizing non-violence, but not excluding violent means. The term has come to prominence in 2003 when Joseph Nye discussed it in a paper aiming at presenting alternatives to US Government to affect change in other countries without having to primarily rely upon hard or military power. While ... Read More »
The purpose of this column is not to study the functionality and the legitimacy of the Syrian government, but the weakness in the public relations sphere on the Syrian front of a far more potent and globally relevant force, namely the Resistance Axis, led by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Since the start of the crisis in Syria, Corporate media ... Read More »
After following the unfolding events of the attempted coup in Turkey, many couldn’t stop themselves from asking whether the “Arab Spring” chaos has reached the Eurasian country. There were terrorist attacks in the past, but nothing comparable to a direct attempt to change the rule in Turkey. Less than four hours later, news emerged that the coup has failed. The “Plot” ... Read More »
An Article by Omair Anas, originally featured in DailySabah An unusual announcement of a joint Arab military force came without alarm in the international media. Those who hurriedly welcomed the idea are mostly Western governments, and those who did not react much were Israel, Russia and China. Those who are suspicious are the people of the member countries of this proposed ... Read More »
BY Ruba Ali Al-Hassani Recently, Iraqis on social media have been buzzing with contempt for the U.S. National Defense Authorization Bill which, in Section 1223, calls for the recognition of Sunni and Kurdish militias as “a country” for direct armament and assistance. Does that sound worrisome? It surely does. I couldn’t help but look for the draft bill to find out ... Read More »
By Ruba Ali Al-Hassani I started this blog a few days ago, and have been debating on the subject of my first blog post. With so many ideas floating in my restless mind, it took me a while to think this through. My mind strays to other topics, but ends up circling around the subject of media and academic bias ... Read More »
Deterrence is the name of the game between Hezbollah and Israel nowadays. Limited retaliations between the two archenemies are setting new rules of the conflict. After Israel targeted a Hezbollah convoy last week in Syria, Hezbollah retaliated today in a similar manner targeting a military convoy in the contested territories of the Shebaa farms. The fallout was expected. Hezbollah does ... Read More »
There is no denying that Churchill was a great statesman. A great Englishman that put the interest of his country first and managed to lead it through treacherous times. It’s been fifty years since he passed and many are celebrating his legacy today. Mainly by quotes cheering his genius , wittiness, and intelligence. However, legacies tend to always the bright side ... Read More »
Article originally published in print and online by Crescent International. Link can be found here. Turkish President Recept Tayip Erdogan is resorting to increasing sectarian rhetoric to keep challengers at bay. The US invasion of Iraq in 2003 brought about a radical change in Middle East politics. Previously, the political landscape was constructed primarily around the Arab/Israeli conflict. As many ... Read More »
Edward Said is a Palestinian American academic that wrote the powerful book “Orientalism.” Said was a remarkable intellectual that left a deep impact on Middle Eastern studies and whose ideas inspired the creators of this website. He passed away Eleven years ago this day. In his memory we offer you this video that provides an insight into his life and the struggles he faced as ... Read More »
Anti-Orientalist Rewriting Orientalist Narrative