![The Middle East: Contending hegemons](https://www.aijesnews.com/media/main/news/{"image_intro":"","float_intro":"","image_intro_alt":"","image_intro_caption":"","image_fulltext":"","float_fulltext":"","image_fulltext_alt":"","image_fulltext_caption":""})
The Middle East: Contending hegemons
Exercising a degree of hegemony in the Middle East has long been a central plank of American foreign policy. This all began toward the end of the Second World War. President Franklin Roosevelt held very amicable meetings with King Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia that led to the United States enjoying a dominant position in the development and exploitation of Saudi Arabia’s enormous oil reserves. In 1953, the United States engineered a coup in Iran that saw the overthrow of a left-leaning government and its replacement by one led by the Shah, who became a steadfast ally of the United States. In the mid 1950s, the United States sponsored the creation of regional defence pacts, which included Turkey, Iran and Iraq and which became part of a network designed to contain the Soviet Union. In 1958, President Eisenhower ordered the deployment of marines to Lebanon to prevent the takeover of the government of Lebanon by left-leaning rebels. All of these actions had the effect of expanding the presence and influence of the United States in the Middle East. ...
ANALYSIS: The Middle East’s Tectonic Shifts
There is a tendency to view the Middle East as largely unchanging, now that the chaos unleashed after the Arab Spring appears to have dissipated. It’s the status quo – again. Gaza is still Gaza. Iraq is Iraq. Egypt is Egypt. But that analysis ignores the tectonic shifts which have taken place in the last few decades. Regimes may appear the same, but in fact, the instability of recent years has had major effects. The region is now at a crossroads no less important than during the decline and fall of the Ottoman Empire 100 years ago. ...
Trump's mixed messages on the Middle East
President Trump's State of the Union address revealed no clear foreign policy vision or coherent Middle East strategy. ...
Democratic women clapped for Trump. Really.
We're replaying Nancy Pelosi clapping during the State of the Union and counting down the days until "Game of Thrones" comes back into our lives. It's Ashley, here to bring you today's biggest news. Let’s dive in, okurrr? ...
American Presence in Iraq and Future of the Middle East
Iraqi politicians hit back at US President Donald Trump on Monday after he said that he plans to keep American forces in the country to spy on Iran. In an interview with CBS television, Trump reaffirmed his determination to pull the United States out of ‘endless wars’ in Syria and Afghanistan but said that some American troops would stay on in Iraq, citing the need to protect Israel and to be ‘looking a little bit at Iran’. video link:https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/121435/american-presence-iraq-middle-east/ AFP. ...
Brexit: What are the new ideas for the Irish backstop?
Prime Minister Theresa May says she intends to return to Brussels with new ideas on the Irish backstop. ...
Smartphones in school: Ban, restrict or allow?
Love them or hate them, smartphones have become an integral part of our daily lives. But should they be left outside the classroom? ...
Venezuela crisis: Why Russia has so much to lose
As the political and economic pressure on Nicolás Maduro mounts, Venezuela's president believes there is one person he can rely on - Vladimir Putin. ...
Is Brexit good news for the GCC?
Simon Penny, Her Majesty's Trade Commissioner for the Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan, is optimistic that the Gulf countries - and British companies operating in the region - stand to benefit from the UK's departure from the European Union. ...
Brexit: Labour MPs in 'show us the money' row
Labour MPs have been warned by their party not to accept money for their constituencies in return for supporting Theresa May's Brexit deal. ...
Trump to NYT: Wall talks a 'waste of time'
US President Donald Trump has dismissed the federal investigation into alleged Russian collusion in the 2016 election and talks about a proposed border wall. ...
European parliament recognises Guaidó as interim Venezuelan leader
The European parliament has recognised Venezuela’s opposition leader Juan Guaidó as de facto head of state, heightening pressure on Nicolás Maduro, amid condemnation over the arrest of foreign journalists reporting on the country’s turmoil. ...
Russia's latest gambit is just another Middle East foray gone awry
Syria’s civil war long ago morphed into a playground for both real and wannabe regional hegemons. Until recently, Israel has for the most part shown remarkable restraint in engaging the hostiles intent on surrounding Israel on three sides as a tempting side benefit of helping Assad murder huge swathes of his own people. But Iranian forces, with their commitment to Israel’s complete and utter destruction, have not gotten a bye and have been on the receiving end of countless Israeli attacks on their bases and installations in Syria, including Iranian positions at Damascus airport. ...
North Carolina GOP blasts Dem governor's 'folksy facade' after news of New York campaign kickoff
North Carolina’s Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper raised a few eyebrows this week for reportedly scheduling a “re-election kickoff” event in a private New York City home rather than in his home state. ...
Trump suggests "intelligence people" should "go back to school
President Trump's disagreements with his own top intelligence officials came to a head Wednesday when the president — bristling at their conclusions on North Korea, Iran and the border that don't match with his own — suggested the "intelligence people" should "go back to school." ...
Australia recognises Juan Guaidó as Venezuela president
Foreign affairs minister Marise Payne announces Australia will follow the US and other countries in abandoning incumbent president Nicolás Maduro. ...
In Trump’s World, Nukes Are Self-Defense
Facing the reality of a nuclear North Korea, worsening relations with ostensible ally South Korea, and an unpredictable partner in Washington, Japan’s government is ramping up its military defenses, shedding many of its postwar taboos. Could the ban on nuclear weapons also be sent to the scrap heap at the same time as the country gets a real army? The idea seems far-fetched, but Japan is increasingly alone in a fast-changing Asian security environment. ...
US and Taliban agree to framework peace deal, envoy says
Afghan president assured rights will not be compromised as US envoy reported progress in talks with insurgents. ...
Trump sceptical a deal on border wall can be reached
US President Donald Trump says he is sceptical a deal can be reached on border security before government funding expires again next month. ...
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