The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has been a source of contention within Turkey's borders for years, and now members may face the most imminent opposition in the days following the end of Ramadan, Today's Zaman reports. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has alluded to stepping up defense tactics to subdue PKK terrorist activity, and has allegedly planned to advance onto their northern Iraqi base. "Everything will be different after Ramadan," ...

The Huffington Post's Christina Wilkie authored an expose on the numerous former U.S. officials who have been receiving speaking fees to advocate for the Mujahideen-e Khalq (MEK), an officially designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. The former officials, some of whom admit to knowing little to nothing about the MEK before speaking, have received tens-of-thousands of dollars per speaking engagement. Those speaking for the MEK include 33 former high-ranking officials like, Evan Bayh, ...

On Thursday the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) hosted a panel discussion entitled “The Repercussions of Delisting the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK).” The panelists were Maziar Bahari, former Newsweek reporter in Iran, human rights activist, filmmaker, and author; Brian Katulis, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress; and Barbara Slavin, Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, and author.  The event was moderated by Trita Parsi, founder and current president ...

Kenneth Roth, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, wrote a letter to Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah today, urging him to withdraw from cabinet consideration the draft Penal Law for Crimes of Terrorism and Its Financing. Roth argues, "the draft law contains numerous flaws that seriously undermine basic human rights and fundamental freedoms in the name of combating terrorism." HRW also attached a memorandum with the letter, identifying the following ways in which the law seriously ...

In the Wall Street Journal today, Mohammed Khazaei argues that the Islamic Republic of Iran has "welcomed the revolution in Egypt," as it is reminiscent of Iran's Islamic Revolution in 1979.  "Iran and the new Egypt have embarked on the path of amity and reconciliation that can be rewarding to both nations," Khazaei writes.  In addition, Tehran and Cairo can embark on a new relationship that "enhances their cooperation in ...

Writing for The National Interest, Christopher Boucek argues that Yemen must begin its political transition as soon as possible, in order to then focus on the problems underlying the current crisis, including poor governance, unemployment, lack of resources, and security issues. Boucek notes the U.S. preoccupation with the al-Qaeda threat, and argues that "an exclusive focus on terrorism is the wrong choice for Washington," as it "will make matters worse." Rather, ...

On Monday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton discussed the impact of Osama bin Laden's death on the State Department's operations.  She stated that the department has worked to forge a global anti-terror network which has "helped put unprecedented pressure on al-Qaida and its leadership" and called for continued cooperation.  Clinton also noted that, "istory will record that bin Ladin’s death came at a time of great movements toward freedom and democracy, ...

Newsweek portrays conservative Saudi women as a crucial demographic for any protest movement in the country. The piece revolves around a group of women, who were arrested on March 20th at the country's Ministry of Interior for protesting the arrests of their male relatives. In a country whose insularity reduces the impact of new communications technology and which lacks a strong liberal social base, these women both have the drive and capability to ...

Several analysts offer realist assessments of the potential pitfalls of ousting Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. Hilal Khashan, professor of political science at the American University of Beirut, called it a "doomsday scenario" which would exacerbate geopolitical and sectarian tensions. The article explains that on the Israeli front, the Assad regime has "reliably not attempted" to take back Golan in forty years. Turkey will be concerned about the unrest spreading to ...

The Bahraini government officially accused Hezbollah of helping train anti-government opposition in an official report sent to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. The report claims that the group has been training opposition figures at camps in both Lebanon and Iran and also accuses them of targeting other Gulf nations as well.  Bahrain also claims that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah of meeting with senior leaders of Bahrain's largest Shi'ite opposition group ...

David Schenker, of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and former U.S. Defense Department official, argues that U.S. policy of maintaining stability in Damascus is not the country's vested interest.  Schenker says the Bush administration routinely sidelined any policy aimed at regime change or destabilization fearing that the possible alternatives to Assad were worse despite the regime's active anti-U.S. policies, particularly regarding Iraqi insurgents. While the Pentagon never advocated ...

Writing at The Guardian's  Comment is Free, Yemeni activist and opposition leader Tawakkol Karman discusses how the protests in Yemen, inspired by the events in Tunisia, began.  She also outlines how she, along with other opposition leaders, sent invitations to all Yemeni political players, "encouraged them to overlook their differences and assured them that Yemen would be better off without Ali Abdullah Saleh." Karman also notes the peaceful nature of ...

Thomas Jocelyn, writing at the The Long War Journal (Foundation for the Defense of Democracies), raises concerns over reports from the Wall Street Journal that former Guantanamo Bay detainee Sufyan Ben Qumu is serving as a rebel commander along with two other 'jihadists' who fought against U.S. forces in Afghanistan, Abdul Hakim al Hasadi and Salah al Barrani.  According to Jocelyn and the WSJ report, Ben Qumu has multiple ties to al-Qaeda ...

On Thursday, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs held a hearing to discuss the current situation in Libya and U.S. involvement.  The committee—chaired by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), with ranking member Howard Berman (D-CA) in attendance—, requested the testimony of Deputy Secretary James B. Steinberg. To read full notes, continue below or click here for pdf. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen opened by stating that the President’s address to the nation on Monday was a ...

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has reportedly backed down from his earlier offer to step down from power by year's end.  Saleh also said he would offer no more concessions to the opposition while warning of the possibility of Yemen descending into civil war: "Yemen is a time bomb.  Everyone will side with his tribe, and we will then end up with a destructive civil war."  However, Saleh's ruling party, ...

According to the Wall Street Journal, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar are both near a deal to resign from their positions within the coming days to pave way for a civilian-led transitional government.  Al-Ahmar defected from the Saleh camp to join the protest movement this week and had demanded the President step down immediately.  Units loyal the General and the President squared off this week ...

Senator John Kerry (D-MA) delivered a speech at The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on Wednesday, March 16, 2011, on U.S. foreign policy toward the Middle East in light of the recent uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt and continued unrest and protests across the entire region.  Marwan Muasher, vice president of studies at The Carnegie Endowment introduced Senator Kerry and made brief remarks about the current unrest in the region. For ...