Could Turkey be a only a few years away from being "Jew-Free"?

Most young Jewish high school graduates in Turkey are thinking of studying overseas, in Canada, England, USA, France or other countries.

About 40% actually are going abroad to study. And in many cases, those young people won't be back.

What's behind the exodus?

Read more.

Israel's Gas Dream: The End is Nigh

While Israel has potentially huge gas fields, their is no little chance of gas coming to benefit the nation within the next eight years, or even much longer.

Getting the gas out of the gas fields below the Mediterranean Sea is becoming a nightmare.

Read more.

Netanyahu: Israel's Discontent

Israel is in a bind.

Street in Jerusalem

On the one hand, it is easy for PM Netanyahu to compare himself to the nations around him, almost all of which seem to be beleaguered by bloodshed, conflict and barbarity.

So, when he compares Israel to the Arab nations, and when he says that Israel stands by higher standards, then he is caught in a trap of his own making.

The higher standard he appeals to is that of the European and Western culture, which in turn demand that he show a much softer touch in his dealings with the Palestinians and the growing number of settlements - all of which are causing a growing rift between Israel and members of the EU.

Read more.

Turkey: High Speed trains, 30 spectacular train stations and some very odd numbers

Turkey is firmly in the grips of expansion. Is this one of the reasons that Turks see their new president in a positive light?

Read more

At the same time, some exceptionally odd numbers appear when more statistics are examined.

Will these numbers cast such a positive light on the nation?

Read More.

Palestine: Recognizing the two-state solution - recognizing "Palestine"

Western opinion makers are gradually shifting their pressure on Israel. Slowly, the wind is moving against the Israeli government's position of constantly stalling. A gradual swing in opinion in England is one example of this.

Read more.

Middle East States: "How are they responding to Obama's push against ISIS?"

What is the response of Syria to Obama's push against ISIS? How much difference does this make?

How is it different from that of Iran?

Or, from the other front line states facing up to ISIS?
Read More

How is Russia responding to the "cancer of ISIS"?  Read here.

What is the chance of a "Victory" against ISIS? Read more.
 

"THE MAP": Is this why the Middle East is in such a mess today?

100 years ago the map of the Middle East was being re-drawn by France and England. But is this map really the reason for the mess in the region today?

 Or, are the conflicts between different branches of Islam the cause for much of the in-fighting between Muslims?

Read more.

Turkey and Israel: A tragedy of worsening relationships

A Hamas leader who lives freely in Turkey is only the latest in a five year-long string of conflicts between the only two democracies in the Middle East.

Read more.

Turkey: Jewish Synagogue now to Become a Government Museum

The sad news. A magnificent synagogue with a capacity for 800 persons was left abandoned for decades. The Jews who lived in Edirne either moved away or were "forced away" during the horrors of World War II.

After initiating a renovation of the building, and with it almost completed, the mayor of the city changed his mind.



"Because of Israel's actions against the Palestinians, this synagogue building will become a Government Museum", he said.

Strong reactions have met the mayor's decision.


Read more.

 and, another article, "The Governor's Huge Hatred" towards the Synagogue Read here.

and an article by Burak Bekdil with a photo of the inside of the almost completed renovation of the synagogue. Read more here.

USA: Is CAIR really a terrorist group?

Clearer understanding appears about increasing number of divisions among Islamic groups.

The latest conflict erupted between those who want to hang onto their "monarchies" and those who agitate for republican ideals. (Hint: How many of the nations in the Gulf have a government based on a monarchy.

So, is CAIR, Counsel on American-Islamic relations a "terrorist group? United Arab Emirates thinks so. Read more.

 

"Erdogan Turns his Back on EU Membership"

Semih Idiz, a very alert Turkish journalist, describes the widening gulf of separation between the EU and the Turkish possibility of membership in the EU. This is a great article.

Read more.

Welcome to Turkey, Your Holiness

Welcome to Turkey, Your Holiness

Mustafa Aykol is a journalist known for his writings on Islam in the struggle between a secular world and a growing, conservative Muslim government in Turkey. This article is a request for a very high form of dialogue between Muslims and Christians in Turkey.

Read more.

The Pope hopes Turkey can become a Great Peacemaker

Some of the details of Pope Francis' travels in Turkey, and his first meeting with President Erdogan, in what is seen as an important visit to build bridges of trust.

Read more.

Jihad "What is it?" An article sure to make many people upset.

Burak Bedil's perceptive writing is sure to raise the hackles of many with his insight into Turkish attitudes regarding 'Jihad".

Read more.

Iraq: "Is Iraq breaking up into three countries?"

This is the situation in Iraq. Read more

Will the Kurdish forces be able to keep ISIS out of their  domain? Read more

"The existence of Iraq is in jeopardy". Read more.

Turkey: Erdogan's Attempt to Prove Muslims Discovered the Americas and Turkish Re-interpretation of History

Why is Turkey' President Erdogan attempting to reinterpret the history of the Americas? He wants Turks to believe that Muslims discovered the Americas in 1178.
Why is it necessary for Turks to "rediscover" themselves as having been the "creators of civilization", the ones who "invented the alphabet", or the "builders of the pyramids"?
And, is the best path for Turkey this: that its academics now teach this revisionism, or that academics gain "academic freedom"?

Read more.

Jerusalem: What to do about Palestinian youth who wisth to commit suicide?

"If there was any doubt, it has been laid to rest. The wave of violence — be it called the third intifada  or by some other name — has been ratcheted up a level. The Nov. 18 attack on the Bnei Torah Kehillat Yaakov synagogue was not an individual attack by a lone assailant on an impulsive quest for revenge driven by a calling to defend the Haram al-Sharif."

These are the opening two sentences of an article from Al Monitor following the killing of five Jews in the Bnei Torah Kehillat Yaakov Synagogue.
Read more.

Jerusalem: Kerry Finds a Way to Defuse the Temple Crisis

There are few bits of good news from the Middle East.

However, USA Secretary of State found a way to defuse one of the most complex issues in the most unresolved conflicts of the world. The flaming anger over the treatment of Muslims in Jerusalem, who can worship at the Muslim holy place, has, for the time being, lost its heat.

Read More.

Qatar: Quatar's Rise and America's Torured Middle East Policy

A fine article on Qatar can be  found here.

Egypt: "What Egypt's President really thinks"

An insightful article on Egypt is important now, when attention seems to be exclusively on Iraq and Syria.   Read more.

Erdogan: Muslims arrived in the Americas in 1178, Surprise! Surprize!

The latest theory, from the President of Turkey, is that Muslims arrived in the Americas in the year 1178. According to this estimate, a mosque was built in Cuba, and President Erdogan wants to build one on the same site that Christopher Columbus saw one, on a mountain in Cuba.

Believe it or not. Read more.

IRAN: "Erdogan's Second Home is not in such good shape!"

Burak Bekdil's sharp tongue and even sharper pen won't earn him any points at home in Turkey with this penetrating analysis of how things are going in Iran. 

This is a light-hearted read about an area of the world in serious turmoil.

Read More.

Turkey: Analysis of the new Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu

Monument to Ataturk in Ankara

Turkey's new Prime Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, wasn't known, except in academic circles, five and a half years ago. Now, however, he is the Prime Minister and is forging a  powerful following.

He is known as a conservative Sunni, a nationalist, with a strong ideological approach to both national and foreign policies. Like Erdogan, he would like to restore the Ottoman dominance to the Middle East, and these factors have brought about his unique approach to politics in the Middle East.

A series of articles analyses his approach,  and the likelihood of his "success" in view of the multiple conflicts in Turkey and around the region.

Why did Erdogan's and Davutoglu's Middle East policy miss the mark? Read More

Nuray Mert's analysis is that Davutoglu is an ambitious polfound here.
itician and is concerned that his "New Turkey" project will pull the whole of Turkey into an unknown adventure. Her article is

Kadri Gursel believes Davutoglu's most difficult task will be relating to Syria's President Assad, as he writes here.

From the USA: Read More
 

Ankara: A Turkish quest to "Liberate Jerusalem"

Burak Bekdil is at his best when simultaneously analyzing Turkish politics and Ottoman history!

Here he evaluates Turkey's Prime Minister and the Turkish effort to "Liberate Jerusalem".

Read more.

14,000,000 Refugees in the Middle East: What's going to happen to them?

"Civilizational Decline."
"The Arab Spring"
"The collapse of Syrian agriculture."

Humpty Dumpty has fallen off the wall, and all the kings' armies and all the kings' men can't put humpty-dumpty together again.

Where - just where - and what - lies ahead for these 14,000,000 refugees and displaced people?
Read More.

ISIL: Jihadists urge multiple killings of Americans, Canadians, Europeans and Australians

Jihadists in ISIL have gone to new links of terrorism, urging the killing of innocent citizens in the USA, Canada, Europe and Australia - and all the countries that are forming a common front against these barbaric outlaws. 

Read more.

 

Syria: Aleppo's Forgotten Christians - Are they also facing the end?

Aleppo's Christians have been caught in the brutal crossfire of opposing groups in the three year-old military crisis. What will become of one of the last groups of Armenian and Chaldean Christians in the northern reaches of Syria? "Genocide and ethnic cleansing" - these words articulate the fears of Christians in Aleppo - but few in the world know of their crisis. 

Read More

Further, what has happened to the two Orthodox bishops in Syria who were abducted in 2013?
Read More.



 

KOBANE: Ten consequences of the US supporting the Syrian Kurds

Amberin Zaman, a Turkish journalist, gives a penetrating analysis of the results of the US giving aid to Syrian Kurds in Kobane by initiating air drops. Read more.

Syria: "What's the response to ISIS taking further control in Syria?"

The joyous reaction of the residents of Tabaqa, in northern Syria, was cause for concern and has deeply challenged western nations. Read more

Turkey and ISIS: "The New Test of Turkey's loyalty to NATO and the West"

There's a new litmus test in the Middle East:

Will Turkey join NATO, the USA and the West and Muslim nations in the Middle East, against ISIS?

Read here.

How much freedom with Turkey give to Kurdish soldiers who want to fight against ISIL in order to maintain their iconic city of Kobane? Read more.

Autumn Scenes in Turkey: A Softer view of the landscape this weekend !

An amazing collection of 61 photos showing autumn colors in Turkey is available on Turkish Hurriyet Daily News, from Istanbul. Click here.

Islam 's internal tensions: Islamists fighting Muslims

Jeffrey Simpson, in the Globe and Mail, writes:

"...a great deal of the strife in the Muslim world today is among religious groups, sects and governments, mixed into a toxic brew by power politics, religious ideology and historical enmities.

The West’s ability to decisively influence these conflicts, each of which is unique, is more limited than those anxious to intervene apparently understand."

See if you can count the number of conflicts he lists in this article, after having read through it here.

A Genocide in the Making: "Iraqi Minorities face Extinction" - Report

More than 12,000 persons have been killed in the advance of ISIL militants. Thousands have lost their homes and been forced to flee as refugees.

This grim report by MRG, Minority Rights Group International, warns of a coming genocide due to assassinations, kidnappings and sexual violence. Those resisting a forced conversion to Islam, as understood by ISIL, are particularly at risk. Read more.

Ottomans and Turkey: Could the Ottoman Empire have continued after World War I?

Historian Orhan Koroglu gives a fascinating take on a topic some historians might enjoy, 100 years after the beginning of World War I.

His take is that the Ottoman Empire had collapsed on its own and could not have continued. His take that "There were no Turks (in 1900), only Ottomans", will give a new twist to those in the west who seek reasons to put Turkey down. Also, his take on the number of dead (Ottoman Turks and Armenians) may give readers reason to pause and absorb a different point of view.

Comments such as, "There was nothing to be proud of the Ottoman Empire (in its death throes)" will not be appreciated by many Turks.

Read more

War in Gaza: Evaluations and Impressions from both sides

Daniel Ben Simon looks at Israeli's attitudes as they evaluate the war. Almost every family was touched by the war, given it unexpected length.  Read More

In 1973, the Six Day war cost Israel 2,500 soldiers, but it was considered a "clear victory". This 51 day "operation on Gaza", though, cost Israel about 60 soldiers, yet only 25% of Israelis consider the results a victory. However, the action against Hamas in Gaza has galvanized public opinion. Soldiers are being considered as heroes.

Was Hamas defeated? Efraim Inbar argues that they were defeated this time, but another round of acrimonious interaction is around the corner. Read more
 

The Turkish Hostages: How and Why were they set free? At what cost?

The story of the 49 Turkish hostages in Iraq, captured by ISIS, has gripped the country for weeks. The story of their release is instructive, and slightly disturbing... for Turks, for friends of Turkey and for those hoping that Turkey will take an offensive position against ISIS. Read more.

IN PHOTOS: The ISIL Crisis Hits 22 Turkish Cities

The long-simmering "quiet" conflict in Turkey between Kurdish desires for greater autonomy and the refusal of Ankara, Turkey's capital, to give way, has come to a head with clashes in 22 Turkish cities. Photos and text here.

For a set of 35 photos showing the mayhem across Turkey, click here.

Palestine: "Give the money to Palestine, not to the UN!" - "Sweden recognizes Palestine as a 'State' "

Palestine - what's the best way to help the Palestinians? Is it by giving money to the UN? Is money given through the UN well spent? Here is a provocative set of ideas: Read more

Sweden has recognized Palestine as a state - with far reaching consequences Read more.
 

Turkey and Syria: "What is drawing 'boy-soldiers' into ISIS?"

This dramatic story of a 14 year old boy from Ankara is part of the "soft underbelly" of the new movement known as ISIS, an almost undiscovered portion of Turkish society.

On the one hand, a radical imam appeals to the religious sentiments of youth. Terrible conditions in Turkey's large cities "push" aspiring youth into the arms of radicals. ISIS offers training, good food and a sense of purpose.

Read More

ISIS: 9,347 Civilians killed; 17386 wounded; 1.8 million refugees

Islamic State insurgents in Iraq have carried out mass executions, abducted women and girls as sex slaves, and used children as fighters in systematic violations that may amount to war crimes, the United Nations said on Thursday.

Read more.
 

In Syria - now

This short trip has become a long, difficult, dangerous ride.  Read More

And about those kidnapped Syrian Bishops ... Read More

Turkey has an endless Syrian refugee crisis... Read more



 

The 'legal reasons' behind ISIS cutting off hands and heads

Al Monitor has published an article by Shukur Khikhal entitled

As for cutting off hands and heads, jizya tax imposition on non-Muslims, female genital mutilation, destruction of tombs and shrines and other practices carried out by IS, they are all enshrined in Salafist doctrines set forth mainly by Ibn Yaymiyyah. His doctrines are gathered in a book titled “Majmu' al-Fatawa” by Ibn Taymiyyah.

The truth of the matter is that these doctrines are taught regularly in schools and universities in many Arab countries. It is worth mentioning that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the current leader of IS — who proclaimed himself a caliph of Muslims in Mosul — studied these doctrines in the Faculty of Islamic Sciences in Baghdad.

Read more here

A very somber explanation of the psychological nature of beheading is found here.


 

Pope Francis: "On Persecution against Christians, we are in World War III"

A distinct chill was felt by Jews and Christians when Pope Francis met them recently in Rome.

Pope Francis has told a group of Jewish leaders “first it was your turn and now it is our turn” in a discussion about the persecution and murder of Christians in the Middle East.

According to one of the persons attending the meeting, the Pope believes this junction in world history, "is the beginning of World War III".
Read more.

A map by ISIL of their intended world wide domination can be seen here.

Jerusalem: Tension on the increase, Temple Mount a Flash-point

Tension is on the rise in Jerusalem - this article gives a penetrating look at the issues.

"Palestinian friends and colleagues told Al-Monitor that they've heard a move is afoot to turn the Temple Mount (Haram al-Sharif) from a Muslim place of prayer into a joint prayer site for believers of both faiths, repeating the transformation that took place at the Tomb of the Patriarchs (al-Ibrahimi Mosque) in Hebron. Their concern is based, among other things, on a series of moves made recently by the Israel police. At the end of June, police issued dozens of Palestinians with restraining orders barring them from the area for four months, claiming the move was needed to prevent “serious damage to persons or property.”
During Ramadan (this year in July), police restricted Friday prayers to those 50 and older."
Read more.

Syria: Aleppo's Forgotten Christians

Meanwhile, during the advance of ISIS in Iraq, there still is a war going on in Syria.

Here's what's going on among the "forgotten Christians and minorities" in Aleppo. Read more here

Burak Bekdil: "Golda Meir was Right - Sorry to Remind You Again!"

Sharp-tongued Burak Bekdil didn't make many friends among conservative Muslims in his homeland, Turkey with this penetrating analysis!

How Sisi won the Israeli - Gaza War.

Mahmoud Salem has a very interesting analysis, not only of how Sisi won the Israeli - Gaz war, but of the audacity and strategy being used by the President of Egypt to sideline both Turkey and Qatar.

Read more

ISIS: "Let's Recruit Child Soldiers!" and "Will ISIS be Crushed?"

ISIS has a new policy - recruit children "boy-soldiers".

This video released by ISIS shows a "boy-soldier" explaining that the Caliphate will "persist until the end of the world".

Researchers who want to understand the future of Sunni extremism see the cultivation of child jihadi soldiers as a new long term strategy.

Read more

Further, what is the likelihood that ISIS can be crushed at this point? Read here

"Week in Review" states that ISIS is becoming the dominant voice among global jihadists. Read more.

What is to be done about Gaza?

The task of residents in Gaza, as they face the desolation around them, is heart-breaking. Over 10,000 people have no homes and lost all their possessions, left with only their lives (and often with the loss of family members. A very sensitive story is found here.

Apparently, the options for Israel in Gaza are very few. Professor Efraim Inbar comments on Israel's options here.

Meanwhile, the people in Gaza are going hungry, and the time for harvest has passed. Read more.

Should people be free to choose their own religion?

How much "religious freedom" will Egypt allow?

Sam Chaise asks the question, "Should people be free to choose their own religion?" Obviously, the freedom of religion is under question in many parts of the world.

 

What happens to Christians and Shi'ite Muslims in Iraq Now?

At least 10,000 Christians have fled from surrounding the majority-Christian Hamdaniyah district near Mosul. The consequences of the arrival of the "caliphate" and the new Islamic State threaten the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. Read more.

Palestinians and Israel

Just south of Bethlehem... will there be a lasting peace?

Do Palestinians want one or two states? What is their vision for the future? Read more

What kind of peace can come out of these events - with young men being killed in brutal ways? Read more

 

Egypt - "What kind of future can be expected with this type of justice?"

Justice in Egypt is not leaving a lot of happy faces. 

Read more

Afganistan: Must Converts to Christianity hide from family and friends?

Suppose a person becomes a Muslim in America or England, leaving behind their Anglican or Roman Catholic heritage? Would they have to hide from family and friends for fear that they would be killed?

Or, suppose that a Muslim in Afghanistan became a Christian. Would they have to hide from family and friends for feat of death? 

Here is one person's story, in Afghanistan, resulting from that kind of fear.

 

Can Islam and Christianity, Mulsims and Christians, life together peaceably?

I'm writing this as Pope Francis I is visiting Jordan, Israel and Palestinians on the West Bank.

My questions is this, Can Muslims and Christians life together in peace, or must we see an ever-ongoing circle of distrust and violence?

CBN gave a lot of coverage to the case of the "Brave German Woman" who had to be ushered out of a Lutheran Church because she shouted against an imam who was participating in a Christian service. Read about it here

Frontpage Magazine shows how wide the gulf is between the two faiths by focusing on a conference called "Voices for Justice & Peace in the Holy Land" at Christ the King Catholic Church in Pleasant Hill, California, a massive complex with plenty of room for the workshops that made up the bulk of the conference. Hatem Bazian, who is listen in the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center's "Muslim 500: The World's Most Influential Muslims," claims that there is a coordinated attempt in the U.S. to "demonize Muslims and create a reflexive hate, and [to] keep them out of civil society." Islamophia, he says, is creating greater sympathy for Palestinian view points in the USA. Read more

Coptic Christians in Egypt are facing on-going difficulties as CBM reports, with shocking details in this story

Not all is "bad news" though. Bethlehem Bible College maintains a very significant ministry with an excellent record of keeping peace between Palestinian Christians and Palestinian Muslims. Click here for your YouTube video

Jerusalem: Temple Mount now is a Central Concern as a Flashpoint

This is a new flashpoint

"Of late, the number of Israeli politicians not embarrassed to call the conflict a “war of religion” has been growing.

By doing so, they cooperate with those on the Palestinian side who want to turn it into a religious conflict rather than a territorial-national dispute.

The issue of the Temple Mount, which to date has not taken center stage in the conflict’s agenda, is paving its way into becoming a main topic on both the Israeli and Palestinian agendas." 

Read More

Recent views from Israel

Israel continues to swirl with news and diverse opinions. 

"Jerusalem is not up for grabs" Read here

 What does the failure of Kerry's peace initiative between Israel and the Palestinian Authority mean for the future? Read here

With the regime in Damascus moving towards a very partial (regional) victory, what does this mean for sectarianism in Syria, and consequently for Israel? Read more

Why is there no possible peace between Israel and the Palestinian Authority? Read more

Who needs the other more - Israel or the USA? Read more

Planned construction on the Temple Mount may be going too far Read more




 

Turkey: How Erdogan won and the MHP party lost.

A wonderful set of graphics to explain the low voter turnout, Erdogan's victory and the weakness of the MHP (Nationalist) party.

Read more
In addition, Erdogan won 55% of the women's vote in the election. How did he do it? Read more

Pinar Tremblay argues that (1) Women in traditional societies vote for a more conservative party; (2) The AK Party has been deliberately cultivating its approval of women through its social policies; (3) women's grassroots social groups have been cultivating these policies since the early 1990's; and (4) some women are more likely to vote for a candidate if the male member in the household tells them so - a controversial thought!

ISIS: Why it is the most successful terrorist organization yet.

A brilliant analysis of the effectiveness of ISIS, with a chart showing how many countries have their nationals fighting for the cause of the new "caliphate".

 Read more

Another great analysis of how the Middle East moved from the "Arab Spring" to devastation is given by the BBC News in this article.

ISIS: Managing to bring secularists and Muslims together in thought against a common enemy?

It isn't often that the secular press looks at events in the same way that Muslim groups do.

When ISIS is concerned, it appears that absolute red lines have been drawn against barbaric cruelty.

Canada is raising its voice in protest against cruelty to Christians in Iraq. Read More

The Canadian Council of Muslims has raised its voice against ISIS and it's deviant nature. Read more

And Ben Caspit, writing in Al Monitor, asks, "When will the West wake up to the threat of radical Islam?" Read more

The Syrian Kurds - What do they want? What will they do?

What is happening to the Syrian Kurds in the midst of all this fighting?

Read more

And for another day, "What does the increased prominence of 'Kurdistan' in Iraq, mean for Kurds in Turkey?" (A very sensitive topic...)

Israel and Syria: How likely is peace? What needs to happen?

What does Israel want from Syria? What does Syria want from Israel? How much can they be engaged in peace making under the circumstances?

Read here

Turkey: "Demolish our top three universities - Let's return to the 11th Century"

Boagazici University seen from the Bosporus

One of Turkey's most respected government officials, Yusuf Kaplan, wants the countries top three universities "demolished". They are Istanbul's Bogazici University, Ankara's Middle East Technical University, known as ODTU, and Bilkent University.

The model of education being called for by Yusuf Kaplan dates back to the 11th Century when the Seljuk Empire employed a system of ed
ucation known as Nezamiyehs. The reason for the "demolishing" of the present system of education, according to Kaplan, is to "educate our younger generation on the basis of our 'civilization' thesis."

The recommendation for the change in the education model apparently originated with President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In the opinion expressed during the recent election, Erdogan suggested that these three universities will "conduct world-renowned, pioneering studies" on religion of Islam using the Quram, alongside the teachings of Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and Hinduism.

According to Kaplan, whose recommendations carry weight in the Turkish government, "If we do not carry out these modifications in our educational system, we will become extinct in 20 years."

Turkey has 170 universities and the three universities that Kaplan wants to "demolish" are three of the five Turkish institutions that are listed in the "Times Higher Education List".

Read more

Violence and Terrorism on the Rise in Egypt

Unfortunately, there is a dramatic rise in terrorism from the Sinai Desert to Cairo.

While the world focuses its attention on Israel, Gaza, Syria and Iraq, events in Egypt are an important part of what's going on in this part of the world.

 Read more

 

How did Tyflon Tayip win the Presidency in Turkey?

Kadri Gursel has written a fine synopsis about the emerging situation in Turkey, in which Tayip Erdogan has won the popular election as the 12th president of the Republic of Turkey Read more here
 

Is Lebanon the next target for ISIS?

Fear is gripping the Middle East. It's not just in Syria and Iraq.

And now comes this headline from Al Monitor:

Is Lebanon the next target for ISIS? Read more

The Cruelty of ISIS - Look at several sources describing persecution against Christians

Unfortunately, many sources confirm the same story.

There is unbelievable cruelty going on in Iraq, all caused by ISIS.

Christian Children have been beheaded.

Unexpectedly, Indonesia has banned support for ISIS, calling it "Anti-Islam" saying it poses a threat to the nation's religious and cultural diversity The feeling in Jakarta is that ISIS is going to bring many difficulties to the Islamic world.

Mark Movsesian comments on the implications of ISIS overtaking Mosul in this fine article: "A Line Crossed in the Middle East"

Canada is condemning the destruction of Christian sites and killings of minority groups

 

There is nothing funny about the declaration of the ‘Caliphate’

Much of the news recently from the Middle East, from  the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), in the desert region between Kerbala and Najaf, south of Baghdad.

The announcement shocked the world. How could anyone want to wind the clock back to the 7th Century?

And if there was the desire on the part of a few people to do that, what would be the motive? Why?

Moreover, how would 10,000 Muslim-ist fighters gain the support of others to bring the Middle East and the Mediterranean Basin back to the year 800 AD?

Nervana Mahmoud is an Egyptian blogger and commentator featured in BBC's 100 Women list in 2013 Here is her opinion.

Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, leader of the Islamic State, spoke on Friday at the Great Mosque in the northern city of Mosul. See a photo of Baghdadi and read an analysis of his movement. He states, "the mujahedeen have been rewarded victory by God after years of jihad, and they were able to achieve their aim and hurried to announce the caliphate and choose the Imam."

He calls for holy war and a strict interpretation of Islamic law. He teaches that the establishment of an Islamic caliphate is a duty incumbent on all Muslims. He is dressed in black robes and a black turban – a sign that he claims descent from the Prophet Muhammad. He has dark eyes, thick eyebrows and a full black beard with streaks of gray on the sides.

Last week, the group's Internet showed 20 plus photos of bulldozers destroying 10 ancient shrines and Shiite mosques. This is a declaration of his full intention towards Muslims of the Shi'ite community. An analysis of this event can be found here

Christianity was reformed under Martin Luther. Do you believe Islam is presently being reformed?

Jordan is a country that is slowly modernizing.

What do we understand a "reformation" to be?

Will it always be a movement to a better future?

What if the movements in Islam at present are moving the world's second largest religious group(ings) to an uncomfortable future of increased conflict?

Raymond Ibrahim argues that the changes under way in Islam are definitely a form of reformation.

Read more

Turmoil in Turkey

If you miss the events occurring in Turkey for even a day, you've missed a great deal of turmoil and confusion.

Turkey's new doctrine of "pre-emptive authoritarianism" is a must for anyone who seeks to understand the future relationship between Turkey and Israel, and this new "brand" of democracy. Read here

What happens when women start winning elections for mayor in Turkey? Read here




 

Israeli Institute Starts to Prepare Priests for a New Temple

Amazing, but true.

Some orthodox families are preparing for the Third Temple. Apparently, the fact that Muslim centers of worship are in the area where Solomon's Temple and Herod's Temple were built doesn't really matter to those determined to build "Ezekiel's Temple."

During the last two weeks of March, these preparations took a giant leap forward.

Read more here

 

"Are Sunni believers intolerant?" Here's what one Sunni writer asks

"What is it about Sunni believers that causes them to lean towards domination of other sects of Islam?" asks writer Ertugrul Ozkok. "My family is Sunni and all my life, until now, it didn't matter what sect my friends and neighbors might be, but now, I'm asking. Why is that?"

read more

Is Iraq "The Garden of Eden" today?

Some say that Iraq was the original location of the Garden of Eden.

Is the Middle East still the "Garden of Eden"?

This article by Turkish columnist Burak Bekdil asks what the Turkish understanding is regarding extremist Muslims and violence.

Read more

"This War is Just Beginning"

The war between the Sunni and Shia Muslims is spreading - and quickly.

Should we be surprised?

Jonathan Spyer at P J Media, has an excellent analysis of the similarities and differences between the ISIS - or ISIL fronts in Syrian and Iraq.

Read more

Is this the end for Christians in Iraq?

The city of Mosul, ancient Nineveh, fell with breath-taking speed. One evening it was a safe place for Christians of historic Christian Churches.

The next day the city was controlled by ISIS - The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or sometimes known as ISIL - Islamic State of Iraq and Levent. (Levent is the name often given to Lebanon and Syria.

Mosul and the surrounding Nineveh plain is the traditional heartland of Iraq's Christian communities. Many Christians fled to this region when forced to leave Baghdad and other areas in recent years. Christians are alarmed at the ISIS take-over of Mosul, fearful that this will further accelerate the decline of the Christian presence in Iraq.

Read the entire article from Christianity Today here

Imprisoned Nuns released in Syria

But one thing, although minor, speaks volumes about the nature of their captivity: Although these nuns, in photos prior to the kidnapping, generally wear large pectoral crosses, the crosses are not visible in the recent video. No surprise here, considering the “pious” nature of their captors. According to strict Islamic teaching, Christians and other non-Muslims cannot display any signs or expressions of their “polytheism” (shirk in Arabic). Indeed the Conditions of Omar, which mainstream Muslim teaching attributes to the second caliph of the same name, clearly spells this out.

This story is important for a number of reasons. Read here

Islam's Apostasy Problem

Here is a different take on apostasy in Islam. It is controversial for some.

The writer calls for a democratic solution.

read more

Tony Blair speaks out on his convictions about militant Islam in this important piece. Read more

What's in store for the Palestinians?

There's a sign to Jerusalem. Is there a sign post to peace?

Of course the big news was the collapse of the Peace Process between Israel and the Palestinians.

But what's in store now?

Julian Pecquet examines the response from the US Congress. He casts doubt on the Congress' favor towards the PaleRead here
stinians for their having taken actions to unify the Palestinian cause.

Why this tough line in the USA?

In Gaza, Abu Marzouk says "recognizing Israel would be to cross a red line." Read here

In this case, how much security could Israel imagine in the future? No much, unfortunately. Read here

Jonathan Spyer looks at the possibilities facing the Palestinians in this piece Read More

Alex Joffe, an historian and archaeologist writes, "Effective foreign policy requires a balance between the predictable and the unpredictable. Alliances require careful maintenance and no surprises while adversarial relationships sometimes require unpredictable responses. It is the unique gift of the Obama administration to have reversed this equation." He is critical of the "Peace Process", in this article Why the Negotiations Collapsed.  Read More 

When will the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul become a Mosque Again?

Thousands of people visit Hagia Sophia every day

The question now is "when", not "if".

One of "Christianity's greatest symbols", the Hagia Sophia, is experiencing social pressure to be turned into a mosque, once again.

The Hagia Sophia (first a church, then a mosque and then a museum) is one of Istanbul's most visited tourist sites. It's almost 1,500 years old and for about 1,000 years was the world's largest church building. All that changed in 1453 when the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople resulted in this building being rapidly readied for worship by Muslims.

Inside Hagia Sophia

900 year old mosaics

The rapidly growing anticipation in Turkey is that the popular sentiment of pious Muslims today will win out over Ataturk's diplomatic solution between Christians and Muslims. His decision was to register the building permanently as a museum, so all humanity, not just Muslims, might enjoy the architectural wonders of one of the worlds greatest achievements.

The picture of the area outside the Hagia Sophia JAMMED full of Muslim worshipers and commentary might shock some, but this is what is happening in the build up of tensions between pious Turks and secular-minded Turks. And, remember that Istanbul has some of Turkey's most "liberal, secular" minded citizens in the land.

Read more and study the photo

 

"Secularism and pluralism are incompatible with Islam"

One of Turkey's most important theologians, writing for the pro-government newspaper, has declared, "secularism and pluralism are incompatible with Islam".

This explains

Read More

A deep fault line exists between Turkey's Sunni Muslims and the Alevi minority, generally considered to be 20% of the population. Cengiz Candar writes about this in an article called, "Erdogan's misguided Alevi Strategy." Read More

What is next for Israel?

What is next for Israel? One State? Two States? More Conflicts?

Is Israel worried that Indyk will walk? Read more

Efraim Inbar at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies says "Respond Firmly to Palestinians

He says, "Therefore, the conclusion to be drawn from this is that attempts to broker conflict resolution between the parties needs to be replaced by a more realistic approach of conflict management. The good intentions of the international community should be directed towards attaining partial understandings and minimizing the suffering on both sides, rather than pursuing an elusive end to the conflict."

Efraim Karsh, also at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, Writes "Running Away from Statehood, Again!' Read more

Finally, Efraim Inbar analyses the moment and wonders if anything can be accomplished in peace making at the present time, in "Let's do Almost Nothing". Read More 

Turkey's Beautiful Cities from the Air

In the midst of so much news about the Middle East, one aspect of the Eastern Mediterranean never changes - the beauty of the shore line where the land meets the sea.

44 photos of Beautiful Turkey

Christians' choices in Syria: 1) Convert to Islam; 2) pay tribute; or 3) die by the sword

 

Christians in the northern Syrian town of Raqqa face a difficult choice: 1) convert to Islam; 2 pay tribute and become a minority with no rights; or 3) die by the sword. Three years ago, Raqqa had a population of 300,000. Churches have been burned, citizens brutally killed and many Christian leaders have submitted to the demands of the Jihadi group.

 

According to the BBC, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria issued a directive

citing the Islamic concept of "dhimma", [which] requires Christians in the city to pay tax of around half an ounce (14g) of pure gold in exchange for their safety. It says Christians must not make renovations to churches, display crosses or other religious symbols outside churches, ring church bells or pray in public. Christians must not carry arms, and must follow other rules imposed by ISIS (also known as ISIL) on their daily lives. The statement said the group had met Christian representatives and offered them three choices—they could convert to Islam, accept ISIS' conditions, or reject their control and risk being killed. "If they reject, they are subject to being legitimate targets, and nothing will remain between them and ISIS other than the sword," the statement said.

Raymond Ibrahim writes
Because several Western media outlets uncharacteristically reported on this latest atrocity against Syrian Christians, many Westerners are shocked—amazed to hear of such draconian conditions.
In reality, however, these three choices are fully grounded in Islamic teachings, as shall be demonstrated below.
So why is the West, here in the "information age," utterly if not abhorrently ignorant of the teachings of Islam? Because those responsible for making such knowledge available—specifically academia, media, and government—are more interested in whitewashing Islam and bemoaning Islamophobia (see pgs. 219-249 of Crucified Again: Exposing Islam's New War on Christians for specifics).

Western Dissembling

Most symbolic of all this is that right around the same time news that jihadis were subjugating and extorting jizya-money from Syrian Christians appeared, the Saudi-funded Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Christian-Muslim Understanding at Georgetown University, Washington D.C., held a seminar discussing how Islam is misunderstood and being demonized by so-called " Islamophobes".

Read more of Raymond Ibrahim

Resolved: "Islam is a Religion of Peace" - Listen to the debate

Listening to the four amazingly well prepared debaters on "Intelligence Squared" debate the topic, "Islam is a Religion of Peace" left me thinking a multitude of thoughts for days. I was moved by the amazingly articulate women, and their abilities to take very complex ideas and present them to a world-wide audience.

The two men have an intensity and depth that is unique. You will be challenged as you listen to those arguing for and against this topic: "Resolved: Islam is a Religion of Peace."

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/rh34Xsq7D_A

A More Assertive Russia in the Middle East

What will be the impact of Russia's move in the Middle East after its quick victory in Crimea?

This writer, who has followed the Middle East's history with careful analysis, believes that Russia will have a far more determined hand in the affairs of countries close to the Mediterranean Sea.

Read more

A number of articles on Russia and the Middle East can be found here.

Israel and the Middle East

Significant events in the Middle with Israel at the middle of things:

Read here

Is Kerry responsible for the breakdown of talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority?

12 important articles collected here.

Armenians and Turkey - Erdogan's latest attempt to defuse the coming 2015 Crisis

Interior of an Armenian Church in Istanbul

One of the longest standing debates in the Middle East regards the treatment of Armenians by Turks. Armenians claim that up to 1,500,000 were killed. The key date is April 24, 1915. In addition, Armenian historians will point out that tens of thousands were displaced and died previous to that date.

Turkish governments have pointed out that (a) hundreds of thousands of Turks were killed in World War I (many more than a million); (b) Armenians made up part of the population siding with Russia and so Turks 'were at war with them'; and (c) that about 350,000 Armenians died as the result of April 24, 1915.

Turks generally look down on the land-locked country of Armenia and on Armenians in general. Refusing to call that series of events a "genocide" is a matter of national pride for Turks.

The diaspora of the Armenian call those events a "genocide", as do the parliaments of more than a dozen nations. The Armenian diaspora in the USA want the US president to use the word "genocide". This debate divides politicians and citizens across dozens of countries.

This year Prime Minister Erdogan surprised Turks, Armenians and others with his condolence speech when referring to the Armenians

His speech was unprecedented in the history of the Turkish Republic

The statement of "shared pain" was received differently in the West than by Armenians

In the USA, President Obama did not use the word "genocide"

Reactions from Armenians in Turkey and Armenia could not have been more different

What are the possible consequences of the Palestinian Authority governing with Hamas?

Photo of a Palestinian looking at "The Wall"

On the surface, it looks like a good idea.

Keep all the Palestinians happy by calling for a truce between those on the West Bank and those in Gaza.

However, you don't have to dig any deeper than your next day's newspaper to realize that this proposed "peace-making" action could have long-ranging consequences.

Will the USA continue to give aid donations to the Palestinians under this new set of circumstances?

Read here

Israel believes there is no point in continuing to press forward for peace and consequently has declared an end to the "Peace Process". Read more

Is Democracy in Turkey and Egypt loosing it's Luster? What is the model to follow?

Observers looking at the Middle East today have to scratch their heads a bit to find a model that might include the following: human rights, transparency, respect for the individual and dialogue with those who don't agree with the go
vernment.

Semih Idiz makes the point that Turkey, once seen as a model for democracy in the Middle East, has now little respect from the nations in the region.

Read more

The results of the recent Turkish election have significance for the West.

Read here

What about child brides, those under age 14? Is it right that they be married?

Western governments do not seem to care about children who are married at very young ages, say 12, 14 or 15.

Dishonest men, usually from the Middle East, are known to take very young girls as their "wives".

The author, Mark Durie, believes that Western governments need to face up to the situation and clamp down on these clandestine marriages in the name of human rights. Exploitation and underage marriages avoid the necessary registration of these marriages in the name of "religion".

He calls such "marriages" - illegal and a form of sex-trafficking.

Read more

Turkey and Iran: Mortal Enemies with Visiting Privileges

Turkey and Iran have a very complex relationship. Sharing a long boundary together, these two nations have different languages, different histories and in some ways, different approaches to Islam. Iran, having gone through the Islamic Revolution in the early 1980's became an Islamic Republic with roots firmly grounded in Shi'a Islamic interpretations and a history that goes back to the glorious days of 490-480 BC (!) when Persia conquered lands all the way to Greece.

Turkey, a republic that is struggling to find its way into 20th century forms of European-style democracy has (faint) aspirations of joining the European Union. Turkey needs the natural gas Iran can send to it. Iran needs the currency Turkey can pay.

Both nations are faced with Kurds, Turkey's Kurds having being in a low-grade "civil tension" for 25 years, with more than 40,000 who have died. Iran faces a similar situation, with Kurdish tensions. 

Read Here