26. Taliban back in American swing chair The US state department admitted belatedly late last night that the first face-to-face meeting between American officials and the Taliban since the regime change in Kabul would take place in the weekend at Doha. Much planning has gone into this development. The poignancy […]
Tag: Qatar
Reflections On Events In Afghanistan (XIII)
13. Panjshir revolt becomes footnote At the daily foreign ministry briefing in Beijing on Friday, Russian correspondent of Sputnik asked spokesperson Ambassador Wang Wenbin how China viewed the Taliban decision to attack Panjshir and how this will affect the Afghan situation. Ambassador Wang replied that “it is China’s sincere hope […]
Trump Puts Taliban Deal Back On Track
A mini mutiny in Kabul against the US-Taliban deal has been nipped in the bud and it should sound warning bells in Washington that the real threat to peacemaking in Afghanistan comes from one principal source — the interest groups that monopolise state agencies and are loathe to transfer power. […]
Afghan Peace Comes With Caveats But Can’t Be Snuffed Out
The chasm between illusion and reality in politics remains perennial. Wars seldom ended according to the script of peace agreements. The fall of Saigon in April 1975 ending Vietnam War, with defeated Americans hastily retreating in helicopters from the rooftop of their embassy, was not anticipated in the Paris Peace […]
Iran Nuclear Issue At Inflection Point
The unexpected move by the Pentagon to shift the Combined Air and Space Operations Center (CAOC) at al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar to the Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina 7,000 miles away from the Middle East took place against the backdrop of the gathering storms in the regional […]
First Setbacks For The Muslim Brotherhood
We are continuing the publication of Thierry Meyssan’s new book, « Right Before Our Eyes ». In this episode, the luck of the draw changes hands. US-Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi was overthrown in the wake of gigantic demonstrations, while the invasion of Damascus failed.
Pakistan Becomes Pivotal To Afghan Peace
The marathon talks between the US officials and the Taliban representatives at Doha through a 16-day period ending yesterday can be seen as a defining moment in the endgame in Afghanistan. Both the US special representative Zalmay Khalilzad and the Taliban have signalled that progress has been achieved in the […]
Lavrov’s Trip To The Gulf Was A Great Leap Forward For Russia’s GCC Ties
Lavrov’s tour of the GCC showcased Russia’s growing relations with the Gulf Monarchies. The Russian Foreign Minister travelled to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates in a chain of visits that showcased his country’s improved ties with what are generally regarded as some of the US’ closest […]
Saudi Arabia Wants To Cut Qatar Off – Literally
Saudi Arabia hopes that the psychological pressure of being cut off from the mainland together with the deployment of a Saudi base and the construction of a nuclear storage facility on the southern half of the newly created “island” will ensure that Qatar continues to feel under threat, though this might inadvertently backfire by triggering a “siege mentality” among its population.
Here’s Why Saudi Arabia Doesn’t Want International Control Over The Two Holy Mosques
Qatar calling for the Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina to be placed under international control undermines the Saudi family’s international legitimacy.
The Great War For Civilization: The Reasoning
There might be several reasoning for the forthcoming Great War but the current one focusses on Iran which continues to defy the American-Israeli interest for global supremacy and its geostrategic imperatives. Those are well documented in several books. From the beginning of the human race we find lessons of kings […]
Great Game & Partitioning Of Syria
Russia’s decision to greatly reduce its military presence in Syria, coming as it did with little warning, has left the world struggling for explanations. Russia is to maintain a military presence at its naval base in Tartous and at the Khmeymim airbase. In fact Russia is “withdrawing without withdrawing”. The […]
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