APS Diplomat Strategic Balance in the Middle East articles

Recent articles from APS Diplomat Strategic Balance in the Middle East

War Between A Shark & A Crocodile And Its Global Watchers.
June 29, 2009... "The Shark" and "The Crocodile" are the names of two powerful men in Iran now engaged in a latent war which will decide the fate of WuF. The real names of these two men will be revealed later on in this section. But what is important to know now is that both are equally as powerful, which...

The Challenges Of Terrorism - Iraq, Part 45 - Reforms & Corruption.
June 1, 2009... Iraq's Shi'ite PM Nuri al-Maleki is embarked on meaningful political reforms aimed at shifting the process from "consensus democracy", which is close to toralitarian rule, to real democracy where the rule should emanate from the majority in the country's Council of Representatives...

IRAQ - Dealing With Corruption, Violence & Reforms.
June 1, 2009... For the time being, Maleki is preoccupied with a series of corruption scandals which may have serious implications for his political base ahead of crucial parliamentary elections to be held in January 2010. Maleki is particularly worried by such implications, with Iraq classed among the...

The Challenges Of Terrorism - Iraq, Part 44 - Security Risks As Money Dries Up.
April 13, 2009... A sharp decline in state income resulting from low oil prices means Iraq is having security problems which, if not checked, could cause escalation in terrorism and yet another Sunni-Shi'ite war. This time the threat is coming from money flowing in from the nearby Arab Gulf Co-operation...

The Bayji Train Station.
April 13, 2009... There is an interesting focus on the changing fortunes of the train station in Bayji, Iraq's industrial heartland in the northern province of Salahuddin, which might be considered a metaphor for the security situation in this fragile country. Two years ago the station was a Neo-Salafi...