Epstein Secrets

cus and Hamas, brought about by the latter's equivocal stance on Syrian crisis, have spilled over into the Palestinian movement's relationship with Tehran. Last February, on the thirty third anniversary of the Iranian revolution, Hamas' Prime Minister in Gaza paid a visit to Tehran and met with the I

crisis, Ismail Haniyeh's official trip was important and timely for the Islamic Republic. The visit conveyed a clear message that, in the words of Haniyeh, Iran's support for Palestinian issue has "remained unchanged and unconditional" and that their ties are "as strong as before". But some remarks th

n meet for the first time as presidents, their underlings will sit down in Moscow for the latest round of talks with Iran that are intended to curb Tehran's nuclear program. The optimism over these talks this spring seems to have faded into fears of a further impasse that would play into Iran's hands.

enjoys continuing support from Hamas members in the West Bank and diaspora, who outnumber those in Gaza. But he is facing a vigorous challenge from Haniyeh, who was once viewed as a figurehead but is now asserting himself as a potent rival. Haniyeh has boosted his international profile this year with t

can build "strategic trust" with China in the Middle East, the habit could take hold elsewhere. One might say that the road to Xanadu goes through Tehran and Jerusalem. If he cannot, then he faces a tough four years of trying to cope with a rising China amid flat or falling US defence budgets and th

urely for political reasons. I believe that President Mohammed Mursi knows that this time the war on Gaza is primarily directed at him and not at Haniyeh's government. Israel wants to ensure his obedience from the outset and embarrass him before his citizens and the Arabs, who are watching and wonder

ide Assad forces inside Syria. Meanwhile, wiping Israel off the map can wait. Conflict with Sunnis gives Hizbollah and its patrons in Damascus and Tehran a regional role; war with Israel is costly and unrewarding, a lesson that Hafez Al Assad learnt some 40 years ago. As such, as Syria's MiG fighter

ly. Qatari diplomats have asked Egypt to allow raw materials for Qatar's Gaza projects to be sent through the Rafah crossing, Gaza officials said. Haniyeh's office said the Egyptian president approved the arrangement, which could set a precedent for future trade. Egyptian officials were not immediatel

en Silverberg and Mark D. Wallace Article 2. Guardian Western diplomats are still getting it wrong on Iran Peter Jenkins Article 3. TIME Why Tehran Might Be Ready to Talk Joe Klein Article. 4. Asharq Alawsat Iran's triple mistakes in Syria, Iraq and Bahrain Amir Taheri Article 5_ EFTA_R1_0

otograph of him with Ismail Haniyeh, the prime minster of Hamas in Gaza. (Hamas is an arm of the Palestinian Muslim Brotherhood.) In the image, Mr Haniyeh, during a recent visit to Qatar, is bowing and kissing Mr Al Qaradawi's hand in a show of respect. EFTA_R1_02208908 EFTA02723127 To better under

us and Hamas, brought about by the latter's equivocal stance on Syrian crisis, have spilled over into the Palestinian movement's relationship with Tehran. Last February, on the thirty third anniversary of the Iranian revolution, Hamas' Prime Minister in Gaza paid a visit to Tehran and met with the I

crisis, Ismail Haniyeh's official trip was important and timely for the Islamic Republic. The visit conveyed a clear message that, in the words of Haniyeh, Iran's support for Palestinian issue has "remained unchanged and unconditional" and that their ties are "as strong as before". But some remarks t

Pi Chronology xxvii 13 June 2007 Shimon Peres is elected President of Israel by the Knesset. 14 June 2007 President Abbas dismisses Prime Minister Haniyeh and declares a state of emergency. 15 June 2007 Hamas takes control over the Gaza Strip in a coup, after several days of violent battles with Fatah

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y talks, over Iran's disputed nuclear program. As the two perennial adversaries eye one another, there are competing paradigms about how to deal with Tehran. An emerging school of thought suggests that the best means of "testing" Iran is to offer it a final nuclear agreement that presumably promises measu

st group, Hamas Prime Minister Ismall Haniyeh finds his popularity having soared. Forty-eight percent of Palestinians say that they would rather pick Haniyeh as Palestine's next president instead of Abbas, who has struggled to secure the freedom of movement and self-determination that so many Palestinians