This is a monthly roundup of news articles and other materials related to other countries` foreign policies toward the Middle East. It does not reflect the views of the Foreign Polices Roundup Editors of Jadaliyya. You may send recommendations for inclusion in the Foreign Policies Media Roundup to info@jadaliyya.com, mentioning "Foreign Policies Roundup" in the subject line.
United States:
U.S. Establishes Libyan Outposts With Eye Toward Offensive Against Islamic State (12 May 2016) American Special Operation Troops have been stationed in corners of Libya’s border with an eye towards launching an offensive against the Islamic State in Libya. The Washington Post’s sources suggest that this move is based on Obama’s fears regarding ISIS and what they could mean for international security.
Kerry Holds Talks On Syria Crisis In Saudi Arabia (15 May 2016) U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, held talks with Saudi Arabia in Riyadh on the Syria Crisis. Later in the week he will be meeting with Russia and Iran to discuss the same issue. The Saudis stance, that Assad must go, has not changed.
Islamic State On The Defensive, Territory Shrinking in Syria and Iraq (16 May 2016) U.S. officials have argued that ISIS “is shrinking so they are very much on the defensive.” America’s intelligence officials believe that their airstrikes are crippling the terrorist organization. Moreover, they believe that the United States will very shortly capture both Mosul and Raqqa.
Saudi-9/11 Bill Breezes Through Senate Over Obama Veto Threat (17 May 2016) The Senate rebuked Obama and has voted to allow families of 9/11 victims to sue the Saudi government. This represents a change in Washington to allow citizens to press charges against nation-states.
As Baghdad Reeled, U.S. Urged Iraqi Troops to Stay on Front Lines (18 May 2016) The United States have recently urged Iraq to not pull troops out of their fight against ISIS. There is a mutually held belief amongst both countries that Fallujah is the next large battle site in Iraq. The United States fears that, if Iraq pulls out their troops, ISIS will quickly regain all of the land they have lost.
Kerry Explores Egyptian Proposal For Renewed Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks (18 May 2016) John Kerry met in Cairo this week to discuss the future of the Israel-Palestine peace talks. Over the week he met with Sissi, and the two agreed that actively attempting to start Israeli-Palestinian talks before a new U.S. president takes office is in the region’s best interest.
U.S. Says Its Strikes Are Hitting More Significant ISIS Targets (25 May 2016) U.S. officials have said they have corrected a problem in their targeting system that was resulting in missed airstrikes. The solution to this proposal has evidently increased their ability to efficiently hit ISIS targets.
Ignoring Turkey, U.S. Backs Kurds In Drive Against ISIS In Syria (1 June 2016) U.S. military are backing a Kurdish and Arab Syrian Democratic Forces group as it is pushing north to fight ISIS in Syria. This comes at the cost of ignoring Turkey, who has so far claimed zero willingness to work with the Kurds, and moreover insists that the Kurdish military units are terrorists.
CIA And Pentagon Bicker While Russia Wipes Out U.S.-Backed Rebels (9 June 2016) As Russia has begun to bomb the Syrian cities of Aleppo and Daraya, the United States intelligence community and Pentagon have argued about what the right solution is, even though Washington’s own backed-troops are getting killed. The Department of Defense does not want to be affiliated with groups such as Jahbat al-Nusra; whereas, on the other hand, the CIA has supported such group as a “marriage of convenience.” This debate has paralyzed U.S. foreign policy in Syria.
Iran Sues U.S. In International Court Over Frozen Assets (16 June 2016) Iran has argued that the U.S. freezing of Tehran’s assets, something that occurred due to the U.S. Supreme Court decision that gave victims of terrorist attacks allegedly linked to Iran the right to collect some $2 billion in Iranian assets that are frozen in the U.S.
Gains Against Islamic State Not Yet Enough, Could Backfire, Warns U.S. Official (22 June 2016) While President Obama has praised U.S. victories over ISIS in recent months, officials in Washington’s intelligence community warn that these successes are not enough, and moreover may cause backfiring arrogance. Secondly, these officials warn, if ISIS loses ground in Fallujah they may attempt to inspire more attacks against the United States.
C.I.A. Arms For Syrian Rebels Supplied Black Market, Officials Say (26 June 2016) Weapons shipped into Jordan by the C.I.A., intended for Syrian rebels, have been systematically stolen by Jordanian intelligence operatives and sold to merchants on the black market.
Rebooted Pentagon Program Trained Fewer Than One-Hundred Syrian Rebels (27 June 2016) Last October the United States federal government completely rebooted their anti-ISIS training program. Since then, Washington has trained less than one-hundred rebels.
Islamic State Routs Pentagon-Backed Syrian Rebels In Fresh Setback For U.S. Strategy (29 June 2016) ISIS militants routed U.S.-backed Syrian rebels in a battle near the Jordanian border. Forty members of the U.S. forces were killed while fifteen were captured.
U.S. Offers To Share Syria Intelligence On Terrorists With Russia (30 June 2016) The Obama administration announced that they will share Syrian terrorist information with Russia as long as Moscow stops its bombing of civilians and hospitals in besieged regions of Syria.
Russia:
Russia To Deliver Several S-300 Missile Divisions To Iran By Year-End (19 May 2016) Russia has agreed to send several divisions of S-300 missiles to Iran. This year alone, Moscow has delivered one full division to Iran already.
Russia`s Draft Constitution: End of Syria`s Ba`ath Era? (29 May 2016) The Lebanese Daily Newspaper, Al-Akhbar, reports that Russia has drafted a new Syrian constitution that would remove many of the president’s powers and set up a more centralized government, both of which would appeal to the rebels’ demands. Bashar al-Assad quickly dismissed the report as “untrue.”
Death Toll From Russian Air Strikes In Idlib Climbs To Twenty-Three (31 May 2016) Russia’s recent bombings of Syria have killed twenty-three, many of whom were children, with a total of seven children being taken to hospitals. Hundreds of families have begun to flee Idlib in fear of their lives due to such Russian strikes.
Can Russia And Turkey Heal Rift? (2 June 2016) Since the drowning of a Russian jet by Turkish forces in November, relations between the two countries have halted, and accusations between each country have only increased. Recently, both countries have accused each other of spying on and attacking each other in Syria. Turkey has blamed Russia for the hospital attack in Idlib.
Assad Pledges More Bloodshed In Syria, Says The Peace Process Has Failed (7 June 2016) Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has claimed that he and his military will escalate the war in coming weeks. This comes with knowledge that Russia is planning to re-engage in Syria’s brutal Civil War. Assad indicated that the first target will be Aleppo, a city that was heavily bombed by Russia only a few months ago.
Russia, Iran, And Syria To Discuss Military Cooperation (9 June 2016) “Defence ministers from Russia, Iran and Syria will discuss ways to enhance their cooperation in fighting the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda during a meeting in Tehran on Thursday, Interfax news agency quoted Russia`s defence ministry as saying.”
Russia Denies Bombing U.S.-Backed Syrian Rebels Near Jordanian Border (19 June 2016) Russia`s Defense Ministry denied bombing U.S.-backed Syrian opposition forces in a recent military operation near the Jordanian border. This denial comes after the American and Russian officials held a video conference to discuss airstrikes.
Syrian Opposition Accuses Russia Of Using Incendiary Bombs In Syria (23 June 2016) The Syrian opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) called on United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday to launch an investigation into its accusations that Russia has been delivering incendiary weapons to the Syrian regime.
Russia Passes "Big Brother" Anti-Terror Laws (26 June 2016) Russia has passed draconian anti-terrorism laws that will severely curtail individual liberties in the country. For example, anyone expressing approval of terrorism on the internet will be liable for up to seven years in prison. Another part of the law prevents missionary work to certain Muslim countries.
No Syrian Government Attacks On Aleppo, Raqqa Seen Soon (28 June 2016) Russia’s air force has helped Syrian government troops trying to escape encirclement around Aleppo. Following this, Russia’s ambassador to Syria, Alexander Kinshchak, stated that no offensive in Aleppo will take place in the foreseeable future.
Russia Will Countenance An Assad Exit In Syria, But Not Yet (29 June 2016) Russia will agree on Bashar al-Assad leaving office, however, only if a new leader will “not trigger a collapse of the Syrian government.” Essentially, as long as the new government is friendly to Russia, Moscow will not complain. This steadfast support makes any peace negotiations difficult because it prevents the opposition from gaining any ground.
Western Europe:
ISIS Ring Busted in Italian Refugee Camps (11 May 2016) Italy has discovered ISIS networks located in their refugee camps. Essentially, many members of ISIS began these networks years ago and had been recruiting refugees to join their ranks. Consequently, Italy is attempting to strengthen their anti-terrorism forces.
Germany Plans Modest Increase In Size Of Armed Forces (11 May 2016) The German government announced an increase in the size of their armed forces citing instability in the Middle East and terrorism as root causes.
Germany Looking Into Forty Possible Cases Of Terrorism (11 May 2016) Germany is investigating forty reported cases of ISIS incidents. This follows Germany’s recent decision to increase the size of its military and further terror-phobiac trends in the country.
Court Rejects Six Hundred Iraqis` Claims Of Mistreatment (12 May 2016) Claims by six hundred Iraqis that they were unlawfully detained have been rejected by the British Supreme Court. The Court’s argument was that the claims of mistreatment were filed too late, and thus, could not be prosecuted.
EU Mission Is Failing To Disrupt People-Smuggling From Libya (13 May 2016) The House of Lords, in a recent report, has noted that anti-smuggling attempts by the United Kingdom have failed to end people-smuggling in Libya. In no meaningful way has Britain made any progress.
France To Host Middle East Peace Conference (19 May 2016) France is planning to host an international conference centered on solving the Israel-Palestine conflict. The talks will include the U.S., EU, and Russia working alongside Israelis and Palestinians. Nonetheless, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has claimed Israel has no interests in the discussions.
Michael Fallon Under Pressure Over Fight Against Assad And ISIS in Syria (24 May 2016) British Defense Secretary, Michael Fallon, has come under pressure for not defending the twin responsibilities of defeating both ISIS and the Assad regime. Certain people in the government believe that the only way to “win” in Syria is to back Assad and remove ISIS. However, Britain’s desire to “beat” Russia has resulted in much of the government believing Assad also needs to be defeated.
Anti-Islamic Rhetoric On The Rise In Europe (6 June 2016) The anti-Islamic rhetoric across the world is increasing, nowhere, however, as potent as in Germany. Multiple political parties, including Alternative for Germany party, have begun warning against “the expansion and presence of a growing number of Muslims” on German soil. This same party is supported by about seventeen percent of all German voters and is using anti-Nazi rhetoric to critique Islam.
Damascus Says German Special Forces In Syria, Germany Denies (15 June 2016) The Syrian government claimed that German special forces were present alongside French and American military personnel fighting in Northern Syria. This accusation has been denied by Germany. The Syrian regime has “strongly condemned” Germany’s decision to support the opposition instead of the former’s sovereignty.
French Cement Maker Lafarge `Made Deals With Islamic State Group In Syria` (22 June 2016) According to French newspaper Le Monde, cement company Lafarge sent tax money to ISIS-affiliated groups in 2013 and 2014.
China:
Iran Plans To Enhance Tourism Ties With China (19 May 2016) Tehran announced that it plans to tourism ties with China, adding that it welcomes visitors from the East Asian country, this in the aftermath of the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. A deputy to the Iranian president noted that Tehran is additionally attempting to ease their visa application process, in hopes that it will bring more citizens to the country.
China April Crude Imports From Russia Top Saudis, Hits Record (23 May 2016) Russia was China’s largest supporter of crude oil for a second month this year, surpassing imports from Saudi Arabia. This is representative of a trend where China has slowly begun moving away from Saudi oil.
Building Regional Connectivity Key To China`s "Silk Route" Project (24 May 2016) China announced that building regional connectivity in Africa and the Middle East is key to their Silk Route project, which would vastly increase China’s maritime trade with the region. This message was espoused by China at the 72nd UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, held May 17-19.
China Condemns Terrorist Attacks In Syria (25 May 2016) China has condemned the terrorist attacks that killed over one-hundred-and-fifty people in Syria. Moreover, in his press conference, the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson noted that China opposes “all forms” of terrorism and that a “political solution” is the only way forward.
Chinese, Egyptian Presidents Exchange Congratulatory Messages On Anniversary of Ties (30 May 2016) Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi exchanged congratulatory messages on anniversary of their countries’ relations. “In his message, Xi said that both great nations of China and Egypt have been engaging in wide-range communication and cooperation in such areas as politics, economy and trade, and people-to-people exchanges since sixty years ago, which has yielded substantial results.”
China Ready To Play Greater Role For Syria Crisis (6 June 2016) China`s special envoy for the Syrian issue Xie Xiaoyan said here on Monday that Beijing is ready play an even greater role in helping end the Syrian crisis. He furthered that China is committed to help Syrians reach a political and/or diplomatic solution to the conflict.
China, Iran To Jointly Build Oil Terminal In Persian Gulf (14 June 2016) China and Iran have signed a contract to jointly establish an oil terminal on Qeshm Island in the southern Persian Gulf. The two nations’ stated goal is for this terminal to become an oil hub for Iran’s oil production and reserves.
China`s Oil Imports From Iran Up Over Nineteen Percent (21 June 2016) China’s crude oil imports from Iran are up by nearly twenty percent compared to last year. This, in part, was made possible by last year’s nuclear agreement.
Other Countries/Middle East:
Turkish Military`s Influence Rises Again (15 May 2016) The Turkish military, who has slowly been marginalized since Erdogan took power over one decade ago, has recently begun to gain influence. As the military has been forced to fight ISIS and the Kurds, they’ve begun to resist Erdogan’s desire to get ever-increasingly involved in the Syrian conflict. This has support amongst many Turkish civilians, and thus, the military is gaining influence throughout society.
Syria Blames Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia For Deadly Bombings (24 May 2016) The Syrian government has blamed Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia for a series of bombings in Tartous and Jableh. The government furthered that the bombings are an attempt to derail Syrian peace talks.
Report Slams Israel`s Military Law Enforcement System (25 May 2016) Human Rights Group, B’Tselem, says it will no longer file complaints with a system that “habitually fails Palestinians.” This is a drastic change, because for twenty-five years this human rights organization has served as a tool for members of the Israeli military to subcontract out complaints. They filed a report detailing numerous complaints and announcing their non-compliance with the Israeli military.
Jordan Declares Syria And Iraq Borders Closed Military Zones (22 June 2016) Following a suicide bombing attack, Jordan has declared its borders are closed to Syrian and Iraqi refugees. This comes with the knowledge that Jordan, along with Lebanon, has accepted more refugees than most other countries.
In Turkey, Suicide Bombers Are Targeting Tourists (29 June 2016) A triple suicide bomb attack in Turkey reflects a longer trend of ISIS targeting tourists in Turkey. This has resulted in the number of tourists in Turkey decreasing by twenty-eight percent since April, marking the steepest decline since 1999.
Treaties, Agreements, United Nations, and Statistics:
U.N. Investigators Tell States To Stop Syrian War Crimes (11 May 2016) The United Nations warned parties involved in Syrian peace talks that a prerequisite for a deal must be the ending of hospital bombings in the country. They furthered that bombing of sensitive areas must be punishable offenses on an international level.
Foreign Ministers Hold Vienna Talks As ISIS Threat To Libya Grow (16 May 2016) Leading Foreign Ministers from Europe and the Middle East are meeting in Vienna to discuss further support for the Libyan government. The concern about ISIS gaining land in Libya has caused alarm amongst foreign powers and this extra support would hopefully prevent further concerns.
Vienna Meeting Agrees Aid Airdrops For Syria But Fails To Set Date For Talks (17 May 2016) A meeting of countries in Vienna - including Iran, Russia, and the United States - has resulted in an agreement for airdropping aid packages to Syria. Unfortunately, they did not agree to future talks to help solve the conflict.
IMF Agrees To Over Five Billion Dollar Iraq Bailout To Tackle ISIS And Budget Deficit (19 May 2016) The International Monetary Fund has agreed to a nearly five-and-a-half billion dollar bailout for Baghdad’s government. The prerequisites for this aid are many, and will be unpopular, including massive public spending cuts. This package will work to solve Iraq’s current economic problems and also provide aid to fight the Islamic State.
Israel And Palestine Must Do Radically More To Achieve Peace, Says U.N. (25 May 2016) The United Nations’ Middle East Envoy, Nikolay Mladenov stated that, “The will to advance towards peace clearly exists. What remains glaringly absent is the political will and bold leadership to make genuine progress a reality.” And furthermore, that the effort of both parties needs to increase “radically.”
Aid Delivered In Syria May Be Too Little, Too Late (1 June 2016) Per the Washington Post, “The government siege of a Damascus suburb was broken Wednesday with delivery of medical supplies and a small amount of baby food, after Syria agreed to allow an international aid convoy to enter the area for the first time since 2012.” This is an accomplishment that has not been reached by any individual country or the international community since the Syrian Civil War escalated many years ago.
Netanyahu Steps Up Opposition To French-Led Mideast Peace Initiative (2 June 2016) Peace talks regarding the conflict between Israel and Palestinians began in France, however, Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu has opted to entirely oppose the idea of these talks. Rather, he is supporting a fourteen year old, failed Arab peace plan. This is another example of Netanyahu’s continued insistence of not conceding anything, and thus, not attempting to create peace between the two regions.
The French Peace Initiative `Emptied Of All Substance` (5 June 2016) Following Netanyahu’s lack of desire to participate whatsoever in peace talks, the weekend’s discussions between France, Russia, the United States, Israel, and Palestine have completely failed. Nothing of substance was achieved, per Mouin Rabbani.
U.N. Says Syria Blocking Food Aid, Seeks Airlift Approval (8 June 2016) Bashar al-Assad’s regime has begun to block United Nations relief to the city of Daraya. “Daraya is one of four besieged areas for which the U.N. presented the Syrian foreign ministry on Sunday a backup plan to airlift food if land access is not approved, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York. It is awaiting approval.”
Syria Aid Convoys Agreed To, But Proof Will Be In The Delivery (9 June 2016) The Syrian regime has provided the ability for aid relief to seventeen besieged areas throughout the country. This follows months of delay by Bashar al-Assad, and an additional months of intense government bombings.
Funding Is Running Out To Help People Fleeing Fallujah (9 June 2016) The humanitarian crisis spreading in Fallujah is providing problems for the United Nations, as the latter organization does not have money to continue to provide humanitarian aid and refuge. Twenty-thousand people have fled Fallujah over a three week period, and there are another ten-thousand who will need to, however lack of international fouling makes U.N. support for humanitarian relief increasingly difficult.
United Nations Claim That The Islamic State Is Committing Genocide Against Yazidis (16 June 2016) The United Nations, following over two years of not calling ISIS’ actions genocide, have finally accepted the group’s treatment of Yazidis do amount to the term.
Saudi Arabia "Alarmed And Outraged" By Rights Groups` Criticism (30 June 2016) In one of the most ironic comments of the year, Saudi Arabia has claimed it is “alarmed and outraged” over human rights groups criticisms of RIyadh’s position on the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. At the end of June 2016, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International called for the kingdom to be suspended from their U.N. position, citing the Saudis mass-killing in Yemen. Riyadh responded, ever ironically, by saying its goal in Yemen has been to protect human life, not destroy it.