Developments in Syria and Turkey
Secure Freedom Radio
Originally published at Daniel Pipes
Cyprus Joins the Middle East
Unlike nearby Israel, which is also surrounded, Cyprus lacks either a military option or protective fences.
The Nation of Islam Discovers Scientology
The Nation of Islam's historic role as a bridge between American blacks and Islam ended in 1975 when W. Deen Mohammed followed his father, Elijah Muhammad, as leader of the Nation and immediately disavowed his father's folk religion, bringing his followers to normative Islam, the Islam of the Middle East. From then on, despite the theatrics of Louis Farrakhan, the Nation has been in a long downward trajectory. Now comes evidence, thanks to Tony Ortega in the Village Voice and Eliza Gray in The New Republic, of a jaw-dropping turn by Farrakhan, 79, to Scientology; as Gray's subtitle puts it, "America's two weirdest sects join forces."
Daniel Pipes: Reflections on Current Hamas-Israel Hostilities
If Hamas knows it cannot defeat the Israel Defense Forces and will get a bloody nose for its efforts, it obviously has motives other than victory in mind.
Daniel Pipes: Superficiality Reigns Before the Election
It happens every four years, as U.S. presidential elections roll around: I feel like a stranger. That's because news reports blare out what's not of interest: trivial statistics (171,000 jobs added in October; jobless rate up 0.1 percent to 7.9 percent), biographical irrelevancies (claims that Romney outsourced jobs to other countries when at Bain Capital), and forgettable gaffes (Obama saying that "Voting is the best revenge"). This limited discussion misses the main points.
Fixing Egypt’s Economy: No More Military Macaroni
The military has grown so large because of preferential tax treatment, subsidized labor, an extra-legal status, and old-boy networks.
Obama’s Foreign Fiasco
His singular foreign policy accomplishment, trumpeted ad nauseam, was the execution of Osama bin Laden.
Innocents Abroad Build Foreign Armies
When will American politicians and military leaders eventually realize that training foreign soldiers does not allies make them?
The Silver Lining of Obama’s Weak America
Barack Obama's approach pulls the United States back from its customary adult role and has it join the children.
The Worrisome Future of Special Operations
Special Ops used to be about capturing or killing enemies; now it's about shaping public opinion.
Futile Israeli Efforts to Win Ankara Back
The AWACS Israel is selling to Turkey will potentially be used against Israel in the Mediterranean Sea.
Evidence that Morsi Actually Lost the Egyptian Presidency
Ahmed Shafiq, the former air force commander and former president Hosni Mubarak's last prime minister, actually won the presidential race by a narrow margin.
Arguing against ‘Limited’ Strikes on the Assad Regime
Surviving the strikes will permit Assad to boast that he defeated the United States.
Conspiracy Theories Triumphant in Turkey
The sort of reasoning going around in Turkey regarding the Israeli strike in Syria can quickly leave one with a sore head.
Daniel Pipes: Why I am Voting Republican
I vote Republican because I support the party's core message of individualism, patriotism, and respect for tradition, in contrast to the core Democratic message of dependence, self-criticism, and "progress." I am inspired by the original reading of the U.S. Constitution, by ideals of personal freedom and American exceptionalism. I vote for small government, for a return of power to the states, for a strong military, and an assertive pursuit of national interests.
Islamist Media Digitally Cover Prominent Western Women
Even the modestly dressed and Islamist friendly Catherine Ashton did not escape being photoshopped.
Daniel Pipes: West Must Oppose Islamism (Video)
Middle East expert Daniel Pipes appeared on the 'Cross Talk' program to argue that the West should use its influence to oppose Islamism instead of supporting it.
Israel’s Stunning Response to Palestinian Aggression
"Whoever tries to uproot us from the city of our forefathers will achieve the opposite."
Reflections on the Second Presidential Debate
Obama got away with saying that he had characterized the attack on the Benghazi consulate as a terrorist incident because the moderator confirmed his point; in fact he misrepresented the facts when he said "The day after the attack, governor, I stood in the Rose Garden and I told the American people and the world that … this was an act of terror."
No Disagreement Between Hamas and Fatah
Both Hamas and Fatah are playing the game of pretending to end violence.
Still Blaming Conservatives for Lee Harvey Oswald
Dallas was a bastion of right-wing kooks with a vast legacy -- now, watch how this bastion gets blamed for the communist Oswald...
Support the Syrian Rebels?
If Assad is winning, Western governments should respond by helping the rebels to prevent Assad from crushing them.
Boston Bombing Lesson: Ban Niqabs and Burqas
One must expect future non-suicide bombers to turn to niqabs or burqas, as many terrorists and criminals have repeatedly done.
Muslim Acts of Beheading in the West
Other characteristically Muslim crimes taking place in Western countries include honor killings, female genital mutilation, and slave holding.
What To Do in Syria: Keep Them Fighting (Video)
Middle East expert Daniel Pipes advocates backing Assad in Syria to keep the civil war there going.
Romney Stumbles on Foreign Policy
Barack Obama has a weak record in the Middle East, but one would not learn this from the debate, where Mitt Romney praised Obama's achievements ("It's wonderful that Libya seems to be making some progress"), agreed with Obama more than he disagreed, and rarely pointed out his failings. Presumably, Romney took this mild approach to establish his likability, competence, and suitability to serve as commander-in-chief.
Mainstream Jewish Institutions Honor Anti-Zionists
What is it about Jewish organizations that they acclaim their opponents?
Islamist Assassinations in the West
Assassination sends a specific signal to others not to follow in the victim's footsteps.
Report: US Fears Syria Rebel Victory, for Now
Though my suggestion to now back Assad to prevent Jihadi takeover and allow both sides to fight themselves to exhaustion was rejected, it seems now the administration is taking note of my counsel.
Impressions of the Veep Debate
Middle East expert Daniel Pipes' thoughts on the Biden-Ryan debate.