Larry Derfner

Arab Media Slams Pro-Israel Lobby over Freeman Controversy

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - March 13, 2009

The defeat of ex-diplomat Chas Freeman is seen as a sign of Obama administration weakness. more >>

Bush's Iraqi Shoe Assailant Gets Three Years in Jail

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - March 12, 2009

Muntandher al-Zaidi also called Bush a "dog," and his family shouted the same epithet at the judge. more >>

Israel Cautions U.S. on Talking to Iran

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - March 10, 2009

Israeli intelligence fears that Iran will exploit talks to buy time to produce nuclear weapons. more >>

Hamas Gains in Popularity With Palestinians After War With Israel

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - March 9, 2009

New polling shows that even in the more moderate West Bank, Hamas is winning new supporters. more >>

In Iraq, an 'Ugly Battle' for Power Predicted After U.S. Drawdown

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - March 6, 2009

A key Arab columnist warns of a messy power vacuum as U.S. troops leave that could be filled by Iran. more >>

Iran: Our Missiles Can Hit Anywhere in Israel

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - March 5, 2009

Israeli analysts agree with Iran's claim but are divided about its ability to use chemical warheads. more >>

Netanyahu Makes Last-Ditch Efforts to Avoid Right-Wing Government in Israel

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - March 3, 2009

The man who will probably be Israel's prime minister is trying to cobble together a unity government. more >>

Clinton Upholds U.S. Boycott of Hamas on Mideast Trip

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - March 2, 2009

On her first swing through the region as secretary of state, Hillary Clinton faces questions on Gaza. more >>

Muslim World Cool Toward Bin Laden, but Cooler Toward the United States

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 27, 2009

The Palestinian territories are the only place where most Muslims view bin Laden positively. more >>

Iran Buoyed by Nuclear Plant Test Run

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 26, 2009

Tehran exults after test, saying its nuclear facility could come online in a matter of months. more >>

Israel Asks Clinton to Boycott U.N. Conference

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 25, 2009

Concerns that the antiracism conference will become a forum for denunciations of the Jewish state more >>

In Israel, Binyamin Netanyahu Is Likely to Build a Right-Wing Government

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 24, 2009

The presumptive prime minister grows impatient after his overtures to centrists. more >>

Photo Blackmail in Saudi Arabia

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 21, 2009

In one case, a teenager is sentenced to 500 lashes for threatening. more >>

Obama's Overtures Toward Iran Worry Nearby Arab Nations

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 20, 2009

Gulf states fear the outcome if the United States fails to halt Tehran's moves to get nuclear weapons. more >>

Possibly Driven by U.S. Pressure, Egypt Frees No. 1 Political Prisoner

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 19, 2009

Officially, Ayman Nour was released for health reasons, but supporters credit Washington. more >>

Israeli Convicted of Spying for Iran

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 18, 2009

Iranian-born Israeli reportedly cooperated with Iran's consulate in Turkey. more >>

Israel May Trade Jailed Palestinian Leader for Kidnapped Soldier

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 17, 2009

Many Israeli politicians see firebrand Marwan Barghouti as preferable to the rising power of Hamas. more >>

In Iraq, Iranian Leader Receives Warm Welcome

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 13, 2009

The visit by Iran's foreign minister revives U.S. fears about closer ties between Iraq and Iran. more >>

Palestinians Give Thumbs Down to Israeli Election Results

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 12, 2009

Many fear that the success of far-right parties makes progress in peace talks much less likely. more >>

Israeli Election Math Favors Netanyahu

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 9, 2009

Likud's leader has lost ground to a far-right party, but he is still expected to become prime minister. more >>

Turkish Leader Tries to Calm Western Fears After Davos Dust-up With Israeli President

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 6, 2009

Turkey says its prime minister's public spat with Israel's president was not aimed at Washington. more >>

Landslide Win for Iraq's Maliki in Elections

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 5, 2009

Maliki's party performed very well in provincial elections, particularly in Baghdad and Basra. more >>

Gaza War May Be Over, but So Is Israeli Political Unity

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - February 2, 2009

Right-wing Likud leader Netanyahu is leading in the polls, in part by playing the nationalist card. more >>

Iran's Ahmadinejad Endorses Another Holocaust Denial Conference

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - January 30, 2009

The Iranian president sent a message of encouragement to a controversial Tehran meeting. more >>

Arab World Is Downbeat in Wake of Gaza War

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - January 29, 2009

Some say it reveals the Muslim world's weakness. Others say it makes a two-state solution less likely. more >>