News and Analysis (5/21/09)

In light of Israel’s latest public relations stunt…

• Israel Removes West Bank Settler Outpost (Reuters / Washington Post)

… Will the agreement to freeze settlement expansion suffer the fate of previous agreements and become only empty words:

• Obama Demands That Israel Stop Settlements. How Feasible is That? (Christian Science Monitor)

Long term success for Fatah hinges on reforms and compromises with Hamas:

• Palestinians Try to Prune Branches of Core Party (NY Times)

Proof that overtures without substantive policy change have little effect:

• With Arabs, Obama Never had a Honeymoon (Christian Science Monitor)

Widening its influence while gaining international recognition:

• Hezbollah’s Growing Regional Role Piques Arabs (AP/ Washington Post)

Will Sadr shed his image as a sectarian provocateur or continue to embrace a role as a mujtahid:

• Is Iraq’s Enigmatic Sadr Headed for a Comeback? (Reuters)

With negotiations still in the preliminary stages, a reminder that “America cannot win this war, and the Taliban cannot win this war”:

• U.S. Pullout a Condition in Afghan Peace Talks (NY Times)

Imran

Minaret of Freedom Institute Program Assistant