August 28, 2012

In-depth‎

New Egypt leader steps out on world stage seeking “balance”

In his first interview to the international media since his election, Mohammed Morsi tells Samia Nakhoul and Edmund Blair of Reuters that Israel has nothing to fear from a new Egyptian military campaign in the Sinai Peninsula.

“Egypt is practicing its very normal role on its soil and does not threaten anyone and there should not be any kind of international or regional concerns at all from the presence of Egyptian security forces,” he said, referring to the extra police, army and other forces moved to the area. The military campaign was in “full respect to international treaties”.

Isolating Iran?

Sanctions against Iran are not only counterproductive, but deprive U.S. businesses of markets, keep Israel’s security in a state of limbo and deepen the stagnation in the Arab-Israeli peace process, write Najmedin Meshkati and Guive Mirfendereski in the Los Angeles Times.  .

The U.S. needs to see Iran as part of the solution to its strategic challenges in the Middle East, which have little to do with Iran itself. For example, the Syrian quagmire, which is fueled by the Sunni governments, mostly dictatorial monarchies, is not of Iran’s making. But, first, Washington and Tehran must be able to communicate directly and reciprocally on matters of mutual interest. Resolving their differences can come later, much later.

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