University of Oklahoma
Joahua Landis is Professor of History at the University of Oklahoma and Director of its Center for Middle East Studies. An expert on Syria, he edits the SyriaComment blog.
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Joshua Landis
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FROM Joshua Landis
To the Point
The plot thickens in Syria Secretary of State John Kerry said last year that Syria's Assad regime helped create ISIS — to distract the US by aiding alternative enemies in the region. Defectors from his regime now claim Assad has even attacked his own facilities — using agents he sent to infiltrate both Al-Qaeda and ISIS. Donald Trump insists that, “Syria is fighting ISIS,” hinting at closer US relations with Syria -- and with Russia, Assad's ally in bombing so-called “moderate” rebels. We look at the possible consequences of changing American policies in the Middle East, where nothing ever is what it seems to be.
To the Point
Russia's Withdrawal from Syria: Is It Real? Vladimir Putin surprised the world when he suddenly started bombing in Syria last September. This week, he surprised the world again when he ordered the "main part" of his military forces out of Syria. The Pentagon says the Russians aren't going away. Long-range missiles and bombs are still falling, and Russia's airbase and naval station are permanent fixtures. For the moment, Putin's surprise move has kept him out of the "quagmire" predicted by President Obama, but his long-range intentions are unclear. His air assaults did enough damage to embolden President Assad to join talks in Geneva, but are Syrians any closer to ending a savage civil war?
To the Point
Whatever Happened to the "Arab Spring?" Three years ago, it appeared that anti-government uprisings might lead to the spread of democracy in the Middle East. Now it appears that the democratic process is being used to sustain the power of dictatorships. Syria's President Bashar al-Assad is staging a re-election campaign after destroying major cities, killing more than 160,000 people and driving millions of refugees to other countries. But many of those refugees are voting to re-elect him. Is tyrannical order the only alternative to chaos and the spread of terror? Egypt's former general Abdel Fattah al-Sisi overthrew an elected government, outlawed political opposition and staged his presidential election. Is another military dictatorship preferable to the Muslim Brotherhood? With the collapse of the so-called "freedom agenda," we look at the options for US influence in the Middle East.
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The 'Arab Spring' Runs into Heavy Weather Syria's deadly crackdown on political protesters has provoked outrage at the UN, the European Union and from some Arab countries as well. International sanctions are not expected to make any difference to the regime of Bashar Assad, who's already killed some 400 of his own people. But, even if he remains in charge, instability in Syria could have consequences for the balance of power in the Middle East and for alliances with western countries. We update the unrest and the implications for Iran, Israel and Saudi Arabia. Does President Obama have a coherent strategy, or is he playing it by ear?
Which Way, L.A.?
Will Syria Be Swept Up by the Winds of Change? All eyes are on Syria, where President Bashar al-Assad is determined to hold on to power despite the resignation of his cabinet and with protests expected again tomorrow after Friday prayers. In a major speech to the nation yesterday, Assad disappointed expectations that he would repeal repressive emergency laws that have been in place for nearly 50 years. The US has been fairly moderate in its comments on Syria and its violent crackdown on protesters. Israel and Syria are considered the "best" of enemies, with no violence on their shared border for decades. Will Assad respond with another bloody crackdown? But will he be able to hold off the kind of protests that have unseated other leaders in the Arab world? What would a new regime in Syria look like?
To the Point
Will Syria Be Swept Up by the Winds of Change? All eyes are on Syria, where President Bashar al-Assad is determined to hold on to power despite the resignation of his cabinet and with protests expected again tomorrow after Friday prayers. In a major speech to the nation yesterday, Assad disappointed expectations that he would repeal repressive emergency laws that have been in place for nearly 50 years. The US has been fairly moderate in its comments on Syria and its violent crackdown on protesters. Israel and Syria are considered the "best" of enemies, with no violence on their shared border for decades. Will Assad respond with another bloody crackdown? But will he be able to hold off the kind of protests that have unseated other leaders in the Arab world? What would a new regime in Syria look like?
Which Way, L.A.?
A Double Agent, the CIA and al Qaeda A Jordanian doctor with a record as an Islamic extremist promised valuable information on Osama bin Laden’s top aide, Ayman al-Zawahri. Seven top CIA agents, including experts on al Qaeda, flew to meet with him in Afghanistan, but failed to conduct a rudimentary search, and lost their lives when he detonated explosives he wore on his body.
To the Point
A Double Agent, the CIA and al Qaeda A promising lead on Osama bin Laden's top aide, Ayman al-Zawahri, drew the CIA's leading al Qaeda hunters to meet in Afghanistan last week with a Jordanian doctor. But he was a double agent and suicide bomber. The agents, including experts on al Qaeda, failed to conduct a rudimentary search, and lost their lives when he detonated explosives he wore on his body. Since then, the CIA has stepped up missile attacks across the border with Pakistan in apparent retaliation. Disturbing questions remain. How did seven experienced CIA spies get caught in a deadly deception? Was the attack pulled off by a resurgent al Qaeda? What will it mean for the CIA's crucial relationship with Jordan's intelligence agency?
Which Way, L.A.?
America's 'New Path' in the Middle East Four years after the Bush Administration severed relations with Syria, Hillary Clinton says America's on a " New Path " to Middle East peace, and will send two diplomats to Damascus. The Secretary of State is in Jerusalem after talking so passionately yesterday about Israeli-Palestinian peace that Arab reporters applauded. Israel has not yet formed a new government after last month's election. The Palestinians are divided between Hamas and Fattah. Can Syria have a role in the peace process? What about Turkey? Will Iran respond to efforts to talk about its nuclear development?
To the Point
America's 'New Path' in the Middle East Four years after the Bush Administration severed relations with Syria, Hillary Clinton said today two US diplomats will go to Damascus. The Secretary of State is in Jerusalem after talking so passionately yesterday about Israeli-Palestinian peace that Arab reporters applauded. Israel has not yet formed a new government after last month’s election. The Palestinians are divided between Hamas and Fattah. Can Syria have a role in the peace process? What about Turkey? Will Iran respond to efforts to talk about its nuclear development?
To the Point
The Keys to Middle East Peace Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has scheduled an Israeli-Palestinian peace conference for sometime next month, but not all the players have agreed to show up. Rice, who says the time has come for a Palestinian state to be founded, is shuttling around the Middle East , but Israel won't promise to address the tough issues, and the Arab states are playing hard to get. Meantime, Israel's still-mysterious midnight bombing raid on Syria last month has created problems for the Secretary of State. Syria will be crucial to regional peace, but hard liners within the Bush Administration want to get tough. Was Syria trying to build a nuclear weapon? How will last month's raid impact plans for next month's peace conference?
To the Point
Speaker Pelosi Conducts Her Own Diplomacy in Syria Despite President Bush's objections, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi met today in Damascus with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Afterward, Pelosi told reporters she "expressed concern" about Syria's support of Hamas and Hezbollah. She also carried the message from Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Omert that he is ready for peace talks. Describing the meeting, Syrian cabinet minister Bouthaina Shaaban said praised Pelosi for sending the right message to the Arab people and for coming to the region to "solve problems rather than to launch wars." The meeting--which Syrian officials are calling a "victory"--is being carefully watched in Lebanon. Is Pelosi's international diplomacy in Syria undermining President Bush or is it time for a breakthrough? We hear from journalists in the US and Middle East, historians and policy experts.
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Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming President Trump is reportedly ready to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We look at the possible consequences. On the second half of the program, we hear about cuts in Obama-Era civil rights programs called for by the Trump Administration's first budget plan.
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
Left, Right & Center
How was the trip? President Trump's travels got less fun as he went from the Middle East to Europe.
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.