Category Archives: Syria

Egypt Debates US Strike on Syria

Posted on September 5, 2013 by nervana111

I wrote this piece for Al-Monitor As the debate rages in the United States and other Western nations about a possible strike against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a parallel debate is taking place in Egypt. Officially, the interim … Continue reading →

Posted in Egypt, Syria | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Year one of the Syrian Revolution- A Timeline

Posted on August 31, 2013 by nervana111

This is a timeline of year one of the Syrian revolution. Many thanks to Iyad el-Baghdadi and Syria Deeply Feb 2, 2011: Twenty Syrians hold a candlelight vigil for Egypt’s revolution. They’re attacked & beaten up by thugs. Feb 15, 2011: Teen blogger … Continue reading →

Posted in Syria | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Rise of Radical Jihadists Setback for Syria

Posted on May 16, 2013 by nervana111

This image of the Omar al-Farouq brigade was taken from the group’s website; Syrian Sunni rebel Khalid al-Hamad, who mutilated a corpse, is a member of the brigade. I wrote this piece for  Al-Monitor, look forward to your comments. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Syria | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Hezbollah and the Golan

Posted on May 9, 2013 by nervana111

(Photo of Hasssan Nasrallah, via Kabobfest.com) In his first televised speech after the Israeli strikes on Syria, Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, made two interesting remarks.  First that Syria will supply Israeli arch enemy, Hezbollah, with “game changing arms.”  Second, “the resistance … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel, Lebanon, Syria | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Lebanon, Syria, and the Death of al-Hassan

Posted on October 20, 2012 by nervana111

(photo by Reuters) I’ve lost count – my bad math is not coping very well with the series of events that has been unfolding in Lebanon. Should I start from 2005 and the murder of the late Prime Minister Rafik … Continue reading →

Posted in Lebanon, Syria | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Turkey, Syria, and the Cyprus Scenario

Posted on October 14, 2012 by nervana111

  In his article in The New York Times,  Sonar Cagaptay cited possible scenarios for Turkish intervention in Syria: “If the situation continues to escalate, Turkey’s history suggests that it is likely to follow one of three paths: continued low-intensity … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Syria, Turkey | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Turkey and the pitfalls of the Ottoman revival

Posted on October 9, 2012 by nervana111

It smelt of Ottoman, it tasted of Ottoman, and it certainly looked like Ottoman. During my recent visit to Istanbul, I could feel the growing sense of pride among many Turks regarding their past and their desire to revive it. … Continue reading →

Posted in Syria, Turkey | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Jews of the Arab World

Posted on September 14, 2012 by nervana111

This  is my photo essay:  Jews in the Arab World  which was initially  published in -al-Monitor: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/contents/articles/galleries/jews-in-the-arab-world.html Wish all my Jewish Tweeps a blessed new year.? Shana Tova  every one.

Posted in Egypt, Iran, Israel, Photo Essay, Syria, Turkey, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Iran, Syria, Interests Vs Liabilities

Posted on August 26, 2011 by nervana111

How far is Iran willing to go in order to save the Assad regime from crumbling? No one can truly answer this question; in fact, I think even Assad may not know the answer for sure. it is certainly true … Continue reading →

Posted in Iran, Politics, Syria | 2 Comments

The Mullahs will pick up the pieces

Posted on August 8, 2011 by nervana111

It is almost impossible to predict how Syria might emerge after Assad. Many hope for a stable, democratic state. Though, instability, civil war and an Islamic state are also real possibilities. Regardless of the outcome, the collapse of the Assad … Continue reading →

Posted in Iran, Israel, Politics, Syria | Tagged , , | 6 Comments