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Analysis of al-Qaida's Worldview
Raymond Ibrahim - 1/4/2009
By analyzing what al-Qa'ida preaches to Muslims regarding Islam's relationship to the non-Muslim world at large, and what it states to the West are its reasons for battling it, this essay seeks to highlight the many disparities behind al-Qa'ida's words. Juxtaposed in themes, the following excerpts are all derived from Usama bin Ladin's and Ayman al-Zawahiri's writings and speeches as found in The Al Qa'ida Reader.[1]

Kurds in Iraq: Independence or Autonomy?
Maryam Abbasi - 1/4/2009
This paper discusses the dilemma faced by the Kurds in Iraq: press for independence or sustain autonomy. In the wake of World War I, the Kurds lost their prospect for independence. Years later, Saddam Hussein’s atrocities against the Kurds amounted to the de facto state of Kurdistan in northern Iraq. Despite considerable progress, polarized debates over the reconstruction of Iraq post 2003 have generated concerns over the probable emergence of an independent Kurdistan. Nevertheless, the Kurdish leaders have insisted upon autonomy within a federal Iraq, noting that independence has little or ...

On the Ground in Gaza
Prof. Barry Rubin - 1/4/2009
Israel didn't want to attack the Gaza Strip from the ground or from the air. Hamas, which had long broken the ceasefire, canceled it altogether. Then it began large-scale attacks on Israel. This is a war of defense. And it is being conducted just 30 miles from here, Israel's main city.

The Rules of War and The Rules of Logic
Prof. Barry Rubin - 1/4/2009
A major problem in debating about international issues nowadays is that it is so often hard or even impossible to respect our adversaries. It is quite possible to disagree with someone but to be impressed with their ability in constructing arguments, their grasp of logic and facts, their getting things partly right to the point that it makes you adjust your own thinking. Yet nowadays one is so often confronted with deliberate lies, huge factual errors, and just totally illogical claims.

Why Israel Is Bombing Gaza
Ephraim Sneh (Past Israel Deputy Defense Minister) - 12/31/2008
When demands are made of Israel to halt its military activities in Gaza, a brief historical reminder is in order.

Why Is Israel Fighting Hamas?
Ryan Mauro - 12/31/2008
The eruption of the conflict in Gaza, which most observers could have forecasted months ago, should be seen as a lever in the power plays of the various regional actors. This conflict has potential positive and negative impacts for each player involved, and a proper analysis of these dynamics may allow us to peak into what will occur over the next few weeks.

The Fethullah Gulen Movement
Prof. Bill Park - 12/31/2008
The Gulen movement is attracting increasing and sometimes hostile attention both inside Turkey and beyond as a result of its increasing activity, wealth, and influence. Inspired by the thoughts of its founder, Sufi scholar Fethullah Gulen, it has established hundreds of educational institutions, as well as media outlets, dialogue platforms, and charities. Well-established in Turkey, it has expanded into the wider Turkic world and, increasingly, beyond. Yet its structure, ambitions, and size remain opaque, making assessment of its impact and power difficult.

The Gaza War: Is it All So Hard to Understand?
Prof. Barry Rubin - 12/31/2008
But why, more than one reporter from highly reputable publications has asked me, is Israel attacking Gaza now? At first, I was astonished: because Hamas cancelled the ceasefire and started massive rocket firings at Israel.

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