The consequences of the recent decision regarding the Shah Deniz (Caspian Sea) natural gas’ supply route to Europe, as well as the evolution of the war in Syria and the Iran developments brought to attention the even more complex realities of countries in the South Caucasus, an area that always …

The recent election of Pope Francis I (Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Argentine of Italian origin), who comes from the Jesuit order, to become the head of the Roman Catholic Church and the State of Vatican, as well as the circumstances that triggered the unusual decision of his predecessor Benedict XVI …

The current developments in Syria and the evolution of the Iran-inspired Shi’a movements in the region brought to the attention the Shi’a extremism’s expansion, seen by the analysts as a possible new “export of the Islamic Revolution”, or an effort to impose so-called “Mahdi governments” controlled by the Shiite religious …

I. General Aspects The developments following the Arab spring upheavals that brought political instability in most of the countries involved, as well as the growing number of terrorist incidents brought to the attention the process of radicalization that is taking place not only in the Arab countries but is frequently …

Intervention induced conflict in Syria is overwhelmed with death – 60,000, and refugees – half a million. The Syrian interventionists claim it can make chemical weapons. A Geneva datelined Reuters report on January 2 said: At least 60,000 people have died in Syria’s conflict, UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay …

In the recent referendum, Egypt’s new constitution was approved by almost 64% of voters. Only some 16 million out of 50 million eligible voters (approximately 30%) participated, of which some 10 million voted yes and some 6 million voted no. The approval of the constitution, however predictable, was a defeat …

A group of women protesters detained by the Saudi Arabian authorities must be released unless they are charged with an internationally recognizable crime, said Amnesty International. At least 11 women are still believed to be in detention in the central city of Buraida as well as in the capital Riyadh after …

In a recent op-ed, MEMRI’s South Asia Studies Project Director Tufail Ahmad examined how the recent appointment of Syed Asif Ibrahim as the first Muslim chief of India’s Intelligence Bureau reflects the maturing of democracy in India and its beneficial impact on Indian Muslims. “India is the only country where …

Khalid Al-Dakhil, a columnist for the London-based Saudi daily Al-Hayat, devoted two columns to the potential repercussions of the Arab Spring for Saudi Arabia. He argued that the country cannot disassociate itself from the changes wrought by the Arab Spring in the region, and must not be complacent. Rather, he …

Following last autumn’s “state of the Union” speech, that outlined a vision for a federal Europe[1], the “Blueprint for a deep and genuine economic and monetary union”, unveiled recently by José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, to be submitted at the December 2012 European Union Summit and debated …