The Hamas Takeover Serves Israel’s Interests

The decisive victory by Hamas in this week's Palestinian elections, paradoxically, serves Israel's interests. Hamas' win provides Israel and the international community with an opportunity to fashion a tough line against Palestinian Islamic terrorism and to bring the aid-dependent PA into line. Moreover, Hamas is bound to fail in running the PA, leaving open the possibility in the long term for the emergence of a more mature Palestinian leadership.

The Imperative to Use Force Against Iranian Nuclearization

A nuclear Iran constitutes a serious threat, not only to the Middle East, but also to the entire world. Diplomatic efforts have failed to halt Iran's nuclear program. As the Iranian acquisition of a military nuclear ability nears, the threat of using force, and even the actual use of force, seems to be the only viable preventive measure.

British Policy Towards the Middle East

In the wake of its active involvement in the 2003 Iraq war, Britain's traditional policy of acting as a bridge between the US and the EU in relation to Middle Eastern strategic affairs has been severely criticized by those who would like to see Britain adopting a more wholehearted European orientation. Prime Minister Blair's grandiose vision of bridging as securing Britain's position as a pivotal power at the crux of alliances and international politics is completely unrealistic.

Religious Zionism Revisits the State of Israel

The Religious Zionist community in Israel has been significantly affected by Israel's disengagement from Gaza, with some expressing a feeling of betrayal by the government. There are three alternative political approaches: secularization, fundamentalism, and an alternative political approach calling for the establishment of a new ruling Israeli elite.

Egypt and Its Involvement in the Disengagement Process: Strategic, Regional, and International Aspects

The peace agreement between Egypt and Israel is stronger than is sometimes thought. In the current global reality a unipolar world under American hegemony no dramatic changes are expected to take place in the region in the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, the mutual interests of Israel and Egypt, together with the Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip, further strengthen the relations between the two countries.

The Perils and Promise of Pax Americana in the Muslim Middle East

The Muslim Middle East has two basic problems with the US in the role of democratic reformer: what America is, and what America is not. The perils and promise of America's difficult mission civilisatrice, and the Bush Administration's faith-based approach to exporting freedom, may ultimately help America win friends and influence people in the Middle East.

Europe, America, and Israel: The Need to Promote Democracy and Freedom

It is imperative that America lead a drive to promote democracy and freedom around the world. The successful implementation of these values can be realized even in hostile places such as Iraq, Iran, and the Palestinian Territories.

French Perceptions of the Middle East

French-Israeli relations have significantly deteriorated since September 2000. However, it seems that some recent developments may change this pattern. France's main Middle Eastern perceptions, their application to the Iraqi and the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts and the contradictions between the perceptions and their application all affect the situation.

The Next Move in the Iraqi War of Reconstruction

While the insurgency continues, Iraqi families continue to suffer financially. As long as there is violence in Iraq there will be no large-scale foreign direct investment, but this is all the more reason to focus on institutional and structural changes with the help of moderate Arab regimes, such as Jordan.

Defeating Arafat’s War: The IDF’s Success Against Asymmetric Warfare

A recent assessment of the IDF's response to the Palestinian terror campaign was mixed at best, but this assessment was not backed up by a presentation of the evidence. A closer look shows that the IDF and security forces did extremely well in fighting what is known as Arafat's War.

Perspectives Papers