Assad’s Downfall and the Regional Balance of Power

The remaining advocates of Bashar Assad are working overtime to portray a vision of a completely chaotic Middle East if and when the Alawite regime finally collapses.

effort to rebrand ‘Arab Spring’ as ‘Islamic Awakening’ backfires in Iran

It was meant to be a crowning moment in which Iran put its own Islamic stamp on the Arab Spring. More than a thousand young activists were flown here earlier this week (at government expense) for a conference on “the Islamic Awakening,” Tehran’s effort to re-brand the popular Arab uprisings of the past year. (more…)

Suleimani’s remarks outrage March 14

March 14 leaders were outraged by the remarks made by the head of Iran’s Al-Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guards Corp, Brig. Gen. Qassem Suleimani who said on Friday that south Lebanon fell under Iran’s influence.

March 14 opposition leaders demanded that Hezbollah clarify Suleimani’s statement. (more…)

Hamas assaults Shi’ite worshippers in Gaza , report

Masked Hamas police beat and detained members of the Gaza Strip’s tiny Shiite community during a religious commemoration last week, a follower and local rights groups said Tuesday, accusing their Islamist rulers of religious intolerance. (more…)

Lebanon FM ‘Confident’ Imam Sadr Still Alive

Lebanon Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour said on Monday following his return from a trip of several days to Libya he is confident that Imam Moussa al-Sadr and his two companions who went missing in Tripoli over 33 years ago are still alive.

“The Libyan leaders expressed their readiness to closely follow up on the case,” Mansour said in an interview with NBN television.

“We are confident that the three are still alive,” Mansour added (more…)

Suicide blast targeting Shiite pilgrims in Iraq kills 43

A SUICIDE bomber has killed 53 people in an attack on Shiite devotees at a pilgrimage in Iraq.

The apparent sectarian attack in southern Iraq yesterday cast a pall over the climax of a Shiite pilgrimage that draws hundreds of thousands from around the world. (more…)

Saudi Shiites protest after troops kill 1 youth

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in a tense region in eastern Saudi Arabia on Friday following the killing of a Shiite youth in clashes with security forces.

Also, British Prime Minster David Cameron met with the Saudi king (more…)

Lebanon FM in Libya to discuss Imam Sadr’s disappearance

A Lebanese delegation headed by Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour arrived in Tripoli on Wednesday to discuss the the mysterious disappearance of Shiite Imam Moussa al-Sadr who went missing upon arrival in Tripoli in 1978.

Sadr, a charismatic spiritual leader, had reportedly been officially invited to Libya during the rule of Moammar Gadhafi in 1978 along with an aide and a journalist to negotiate an end to Lebanon’s 1975-1990 civil war. (more…)

Serious dialogue officially launched with Hezbollah, Rai says

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rai revealed on Monday that “serious dialogue has officially been launched with Hezbollah in order for all matters to be laid out in the open at the national dialogue.”

Rai said on Monday that the possession of arms outside the state’s authority is unacceptable, according to a report by Voice of Lebanon radio station.

He also told reporters: “The time when Hezbollah lays down its arms would be a great day.” (more…)

Bombings targeting Shias kill 72 in Iraq

A wave of bombings targeting Shias in Iraq killed 72 people on Thursday, deepening sectarian tensions that exploded just after the last American troops left the country in December. (more…)