While respected anti-war conservative academic challenges the emerging bi-partisan consensus that further American military adventurism will instigate reform in Muslim societies, and sees only reform only “coming from within†other experts find that occupation of Iraq and support for the authoritarian status quo is destabilizing the Middle EastÂ
- More Troops, More Troubles (Los Angeles Times)Â
- The US Role in Mideast Travails (Christian Science Monitor)Â
US strategy co-opting local Sunni militias to fight Al-Qaeda is met with resistance from Kurdish and Shi’a legislators:Â
- U.S. Strategy on Sunnis Questioned (Washington Post)Â
Turkish polls find public and business leaders prefer a Justice and Development Party-led government:Â
- Turkey: Ruling Islamic-Rooted Party Will Win Elections, Survey Shows (Adnkronos International)Â
After democratically elected Hamas-led government is purged from power, new Fatah-led emergency government begins receiving aid from EU again:Â
- Middle East: EU to Resume Aid to Palestinians Says Solana (Adnkronos International)
It’s very interesting what is happening in Turkey. Typically support for “market friendly” polices comes from the educated, cosmopolitan elite. In this case the public at large seems to be on board. I wonder however if perhaps it’s more a matter of the (relatively) pro market party also being friendlier to the Islamism of the masses.