September 24, 2012

In-depth

Between the Egyptian Hammer and the Iranian Anvil

Writing for the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, Dr. Jacques Neriah traces the history of Sunni hostility to the Shia minority in Egypt. 

The “politicization” of the Sunni-Shia divide through the proxies of Iran and Saudi Arabia became widespread in Egyptian society, when in reality the vast majority of Egyptian Shia has no personal or political ties to the Islamic Republic. The notion that Shi’ism in Egypt is a vehicle of Iranian subversion is also shared by some outside Egypt. Hostility against Shia is political rather than religious and revolves around the competing ambitions of Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Bibi in a Box: Netanyahu Loses Support on Bombing Iran

Benjamin Netanyahu has seen Israeli political, military and popular support for a strike on Iran ebb away in recent months, writes Dan Ephron for Newsweek. 

After hinting for months that he would attack Iran if the Obama administration didn’t do more to stop its uranium enrichment, he now seems unable to marshal enough domestic support for military action. The setback could be temporary. His critics appear to be opposed more to the idea of disobeying Washington than going to war over Iranian nukes. (Some are deeply troubled by the public bickering between Washington and Jerusalem in recent weeks.) But the sheer scope of resistance at home—by members of the public; the military’s senior echelon; and now, apparently, Netanyahu’s defense minister, Ehud Barak—seems for the time being, at least, too vast to overcome.

 

Daily Digest

Times of Israel: Jerusalem reportedly trying to convince Obama to set Iran ‘red lines’ at UN speech

Haaretz: Netanyahu apologizes to Ban Ki-moon over Iran leak

Jerusalem Post: Obama defends, Romney attacks on US-Israel ties

Ynet: NYC paper sends Ahmadinejad Jewish 'welcome' 

New York Times: The Satanic Video

Washington Post: An unfazed Ahmadinejad

Wall Street Journal Israel Says Crime Ring Targets Africa Migrants