MIDDLE EAST STUDIES

Tassos Symeonides
(RIEAS Academic Advisor based in Seattle, USA)

Copyright: Research Institute for European and American Studies (www.rieas.gr) based in Athens, Greece. (Publication Date: 12 April 2014)

In recent years, energy, and its connection to security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, has increasingly occupied headlines. To say the least, the geographical area in question is pregnant with risks of major upheavals, including armed conflict of which Syria is the current glaring example. What would be a simplified -- if we are allowed to use the term -- outline of the major concerns emerging against the backdrop of oil and gas exploration and current strains and stresses in the region?

It takes courage to use the term “simplified” about a vortex that continues to threaten international peace and security. With the Middle East crisis as the perennial backdrop, countries like Cyprus, Greece, and Israel are developing mutual ties in order to proceed with exploiting energy discoveries in their respective seas. But, of course, nothing is simple in the Levant. Turkey continues to flex its muscles under the increasingly strident leadership of PM Erdogan, who misses no opportunity to declare Turkey’s unilateral “rights” in every direction. A nascent strategic partnership between Greece and Israel has been affected by Greece’s economic collapse and repeated external bailouts. Cyprus remains divided, with Turkey occupying its northern part and demanding a “re-united” island under a federated state that recognizes the Turkish minority as an equal partner of the majority Greek population and, effectively, legitimizes the results of the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island without any meaningful settlement. In the immediate background, the US is concerned with maintaining peace in the region and promoting American oil interests already developing in the Levant. At the end of the day, there is unfortunately nothing “simplified” about this mind-boggling situation.... Read more

Asfandiyar Qamar
(Yemeni Security Analyst and RIEAS Research Associate)

Copyright: Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS) – www.rieas.gr – based in Athens, Greece – (Date of Publication: 9 February 2014)

At the time of the Arab Spring 2011 Syria appeared to be on a similar path to other Arab nations, where people were bravely rebelling against their tyrannical ruling elites while asking for more representative government. However, as the protests turned to a full rebellion in Syria, and Bashar Al-Assad’s military officers began defecting against him, it also came the swift and predictable condemnations for Assad from western humanitarian interventionists. Both former secretary of state Hilary Clinton and Britain’s foreign minister William Hague denounced Assad as no longer the legitimate leader of Syria and a war criminal. Assad responded by calling such condemnations as “provocative” and he turned out to be right. Within days of the denouncement more of Assad’s military defected to the Free Syrian Army, igniting a civil war. Next the Russians were to be the targets of western condemnation as Mrs. Clinton chastised them for not supporting the pro-democracy movement in Syria and continuing to provide weapons to Assad....... Read more

George Protopapas
(RIEAS Media Analyst)

Copyright: www.rieas.gr

The Syria Crisis involves a very dangerous parameter that threats to destabilize the periphery of the Middle East, the radical Islamic groups. They have been complicating the international efforts, especially from USA and Russia, for a settlement on the war between Damascus and Syrian rebels. The radical Islamic groups fight against the regime of authoritarian Syrian president Bashar Assad and have been playing a leading role to the formation of the war’s front.

Dr. Alobeid Aref
(Expert in Middle East Affairs)

Copyright: www.rieas.gr

Although the term Arab Spring has no Arabic origins, millions of Egyptians hoped that their country with the new situation could find its way and face the enormous economic and social problems accumulated during the period (1981-2011). However, mismanagement of national issues, shrinking the geostrategic position of Egypt as the largest Arab and African country, poverty, unemployment , human rights abuses, corruption, the virtual absence of a middle class and immigration were the reasons that led Egyptians to Tahrir Square and toppled the regime of General Mubarak........  Read more

Harris A. Samaras
(An Economist and presently the Chairman & Group CEO of Pytheas, an international investment banking organization, Harris has also worked with the Bank of America Group, Thomson Financial BankWatch, and Moody’s Investors Service.)

Copyright: www.defencegreece.com 

The European Union, the International Monetary Fund and the international media blame Cyprus’ banking practices as the main cause of the crisis… and made sure, that the economy of Cyprus was ruined in just a weekend!!! Manically, German and French mainly politicians, argued that Cyprus is harboring criminal money, that Cyprus is an offshore tax haven and a money laundering center!.... Read more