The EU and Russia: From High Hopes to Reality

EU-Russia relations are at their lowest since the end of the Cold War and show limited potential for meaningful improvement. The era of attempts to reset bilateral ties is over. The estrangement between Brussels and Moscow may contribute toward a strengthening of Europe’s ties to the US.

Getting the Facts Straight on Palestinian Fatalities in the 2014 Hamas-Israel Confrontation

The possible ICC probe into Israel’s behavior in Gaza will likely renew interest in the 2014 Hamas-Israel confrontation. There is much evidence to suggest that the number of Palestinian fatalities was exaggerated and that most of them were terrorists, not civilians.

Has the Football Pitch Become Qatar’s Battlefield?

Jordan Cope
March 25, 2021
Paper No. 1977

The UAE has long been the main sponsor of global football (soccer). In recent years, Qatar has sought to usurp that role, competing for club, league, and tournament sponsorships even as it competes for influence in the Middle East’s proxy wars. The UAE and Qatar have reconciled, but there is reason to believe Doha may be using football sponsorships to draw attention and conceal its Islamism as it seeks to supplant Saudi and Emirati influence.

The Revolution Within the IDF

Brig.-Gen. (res.) Hasson Hasson’s recent depiction of the threats facing Israel is very disturbing, even if it contains no new revelations. The IDF is undergoing a revolution as it strives to be prepared to handle these threats.

“Antisemitism-Lite” in Contemporary Germany

Let’s face it: Israelis aren’t interested in the problem of antisemitism. This is a mistake, as antisemitic views, in their diverse formulations and disguises, continue to influence international attitudes regarding the Jewish State. In Germany, the lumping of antisemitism together with other hatreds has resulted in a form of “antisemitism-lite” that remains as insidious as its earlier incarnations.

Israel’s Daily Battle to Block Iranian Aggression

Yaakov Lappin
March 22, 2021
Paper No. 1973

Iran’s hegemony scheme for the Middle East not only includes surrounding Israel with missile bases and heavily armed proxies, but also equipping territories further away, such as Iraq and Yemen, to be future bases of attack. Behind the scenes, and despite its severe economic distress due to US sanctions, Iran is working constantly to infiltrate and consolidate its presence in lands with partial or failed sovereignty, or, in the case of Syria, ruled by an ally.

Turkey’s Foreign Policy Balancing Act

Western pundits spend a great deal of time trying to determine “who lost Turkey.” Ankara’s relations with the West are indeed tense, but there will be no severing of ties or withdrawal from NATO. Ankara is attempting a balancing act in which it diversifies its external ties to include Eurasia rather than remain anchored solely to the West.

Fighting and Hugging in the Middle East

Daniel Pipes
March 19, 2021
Paper No. 1971

“Either we unite or we fight”: kaleidoscopic coalitions and enmities are one of the Middle East’s most distinctive political features, recognized by locals and clear to analysts. This extreme political volatility results from the tribal ethos. Until tribalism dies out, Middle Eastern politics will continue to be characterized by amorality, fluidity, temporariness, inconsistency, and contradiction.

Getting the Facts Straight on Palestinian Fatalities in the 2014 Hamas-Israel Confrontation

The Canceled Visit of the Jordanian Crown Prince to the Temple Mount

Dr. Edy Cohen
March 18, 2021
Paper No. 1970

The seemingly innocent plan to have Jordanian Crown Prince Hussein visit the Temple Mount on March 11 was not arranged by chance. No such visit has taken place since 1967. King Abdullah is attempting to turn his son into a heroic figure and strengthen his image in the Hashemite Kingdom and the Arab world ahead of the day he ascends to the throne.

Perspectives Papers