This Blog is intended for use by students in the Islamic Middle East course at Northfield Mount Hermon School and guest students and teachers from other participating schools.
Julia Bennett, a research assistant at Tufts University’s Fares Center for Eastern Mediterranean Studies, summarizes the predictions and prescriptions offered up by participants at a conference the Center held last March 27-28.
Predictions
“A long term U.S. presence in Iraq seems inevitable and will require innovative and comprehensive planning.”
“Iran’s regional hegemony is threatening to Arab states vying [...]
Today the U.S. handed over control of Wasit Province to the Iraqi government, the 13th of Iraq’s 18 provinces.
Story at the BBC (with map)
Dear NMH and PA Students,
Although I will continue to do it when people forget, please try to remember to post your news stories into the “NMH-PA Media Reports” category in addition to whatever other categories are appropriate . Note also that the “NMH-PA Collaboration” category should NOT be selected for stories; that category is for [...]
Recently, U.S. forces have handed over the city of Babil to Iraqi forces. This is the 12th province of 18 Iraqi provinces whose control has been given to Iraqi forces. Babil, a majority Shia city, in March of last year had a suicide bomb kill nearly 100 Shia pilgrims and also has a section of [...]
Tagged http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7685713.stmMore than 500 Palestinian police reinforcements have been deployed in the city of Hebron in the West Bank. Hebron is city of 150000 Palestinians and contains a pocket of a few hundred Jews. It is also home to burial site of Abraham (sacred to both Jews and Muslims).The Palestinian forces will not guard the center [...]
Military action against Iran seemed very likely, especially if the democrats were gaining ground in the current presidential election. Republican war hawks believe that Barack Obama would not be tough enough to deal effectively with Iran. However, recently these sentiments have changed and an attack in the near future seems less and less likely as [...]
Zoe Weinberg October 28, 2008
Article: Syria Orders American School Closed After Raid
By Eric Schmitt and Graham Bowley
Time: October 28, 2008
Place: Damascus, Syria
Key People: Abu Ghadiya, Syrian officials, US officials, Pres. Bush, Gen. Petraeus
Summary:
This article documents the first of the responses to the US’s (the American Special Operations forces) raid into Syria on Sunday, in which [...]
From the Turkey Daily News, Oct. 27, 2008
See also Peter Drench’s recent posting
General William Usher, our guest today, referred to Gen. David Petraeus, head of U.S. Central Command and one of the principal military officers responsible for writing ”the book” on counterinsurgency warfare. General Usher mentioned that the manual is available online. It is a large file (12.6 MB):
General David Petraeus and Marine Lt. Gen. James F. Amos, Field Manual 3-24 [...]
Urgent News… Check this out.
Associated Press
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081028/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_syria_us_raid_32
BBC Middle East