U.S. Navy aircraft crashes in Arabian Gulf

The U.S. Navy has reported that an E-2C Hawkeye aircraft (as seen at left) crashed into the North Arabian Sea while returning from an Operation Enduring Freedom support mission. Three of the four crew members have been recovered while search and rescue efforts for the fourth continue. The accident is under investigation, but the U.S. Navy is simply referring to it as "a mishap."

Jordan takes first steps toward a civilian nuclear program

The official Petra news agency announced today that Jordan has signed a landmark deal with a South Korean consortium to construct the Hashemite Kingdom's first nuclear research reactor. The $130 million agreement will establish the 5-megawatt reactor at the Jordan University for Science and Technology near Irbid by 2014. The chairman of Jordan's Atomic Energy Commission explained that the reactor will function as a training facility for Jordanian nuclear scientists and technicians, who will ultimately be responsible for developing the country's civilian nuclear program.

Stradling the fence in Syria

David W. Lesch, an experienced and savvy commentator on Syria, has just posted an insightful blog piece on Syria's unique foreign policy strategy at Foreign Policy's Middle East Channel. Lesch astutely points out that Bashar al-Asad is growing into his father's shoes (if at times rather clumsily) in regards to formulating a clever foreign policy that enhances Syria's importance in the region. By straddling the fence Syria has made inroads with the U.S. and Iran simultaneously, and has managed to maintain its credibility as a proponent of Arab nationalism. Lesch warns, however, that Bashar must tread carefully with such a policy. Follow the link to view the full article.

WRMEA staff member's letter featured in the IHT

The Mar. 22 edition of the International Herald Tribune (the Global Edition of the New York Times) featured a letter from WRMEA staff member, Andrew Blakely, on the U.S. role in the peace process. Excuse our shameless self-promotion, but the letter lends some reason to an often irrational and partisan debate.

Arab states among Africa's worst in terms of illicit capital outflows

On Mar. 26 Global Financial Integrity (GFI), a Washington, DC-based public policy think tank, released a new report on illicit financial flows in Africa. The report, which examines the period from 1970 to 2008, shows that Africa lost $854 billion in illicit financial outflows. According to GFI, that amount "is far in excess of the official development assistance going into African countries." Stemming the flood of illicit capital outflows, which are defined as the proceeds from bribery, tax evasion, theft, drugs, and human trafficking, could significantly improve prospects for development and poverty reduction. Arab states in North Africa performed especially poorly. Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco all exceeded $25 billion in illicit financial outflows. Nigeria was the only other country to exceed those levels.

House arrest ends for Pakistani nuclear scientist

Famed Pakistani nuclear scientist, Abdul Qadeer Khan, completed a five-year house arrest term today. Khan, who directed Pakistan's nuclear weaponization program, served the five-year sentence for his alleged role in divulging nuclear secrets to North Korea, Libya, and Iran. Being the father of Pakistan's nuclear program, Khan enjoys considerable popular support, but the government remains skeptical of his allegiances. While Khan is no longer officially under house arrest his movement and freedom of speech are still restricted. Khan is not permitted to discuss nuclear proliferation issues with the media and is required to clear all of his movements with Pakistani officials.

This week in Washington

Middle East events for the week of 3/29 - 4/2 in Washington DC:

Monday 3/29 -

Tuesday 3/30 -

• "U.S. Military Assistance to Lebanon: A Discussion of the Pros and Cons" w/ Aram Nerguizian & David Schenker @ MEI; Noon-1:30PM
  

Wednesday 3/31 -

• "Tunisia: What Lies Ahead?" w/ Jerry Sorkin @ MEI; Noon-1PM
• "Dining with al-Qaeda - a book event with Hugh Pope" w/ Amjad Atallah, Hugh Pope, & Susan Glasser @ New America Foundation; 3-4PM
• "A Conversation with His Royal Highness Prince Zeid Ra'ad Zeid Al-Hussein" w/ HRH Zeid Ra'ad Zeid Al-Hussein @ Ronald Reagan Building (Horizon Ballroom); 9-11AM
• "U.S. and Iran: After the End of Engagement, What Next?" w/ Flynt Leverett & Shireen Hunter @ Georgetown University Intercultural Center; 12:30 PM
• "Al-Rujulah Film Series: Akhir Film (Making Of)" @ Georgetown University Intercultural Center; 8PM
  

Thursday 4/1 -

• "Turkey's European Aspirations and it's Cyprus Dilemma" w/ Hugh Pope & Omer Taspinar @ Brookings Institution; 10AM-Noon
  

Friday 4/2 -

• "Turkey and the Middle East: Ambitions and Constraints" w/ Hugh Pope @ MEI; 10-11AM
• "Dining with al-Qaeda: Three Decades Exploring the Many Worlds of the Middle East" w/ Hugh Pope @ MEI; 11AM-Noon
  

No negotiations without settlement freeze, says Arab League

At the conclusion of a two-day summit in Sirte, Libya Arab leaders made clear their position on ongoing Israeli housing construction in Arab East Jerusalem. The resumption of peace negotiations, they said, was entirely conditional upon a cessation of all controversial building in the historic city. Despite the unified condemnation of Israel's settlement policy, the members of the Arab League demonstrated a lack of cohesion on other issues discussed during the summit. Syria and Libya have both indicated disdain for existing strategies proposed for negotiations. Ultimately there was no consensus on "proximity talks" or the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative and votes have consequently been deferred until the next summit scheduled for October. The 22 Arab countries did, however, agree to assemble a $500 million aid package intended to increase the Palestinian presence in East Jerusalem.

Much needed clothes and shoes to reach Gazans

According to the Israeli English language daily, Ha'aretz, Israel has decided to permit shipments of clothing and shoes into the beleaguered Gaza strip. Palestinian officials explained that the first shipments were due to arrive on Thursday. This will be the first time that such necessities have enter Gaza since the blockade began three years ago. The list of items prohibited from entering Gaza, however, remains extensive. It is unclear whether the slight loosening in the blockade is the result of recent pressure from the United States.

A blog is born

Welcome to the WRMEA Blog. It is our hope, here at the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, that this blog will supplement the rich news and analysis available in our print magazine. Try as we might we aren't always able to keep apace with the amount and rapidity of developments in the Middle East. In an effort to address some of the limitations of print media we bring you non-partisan commentary and timely news coverage on this complex, vital, and vibrant region. So join us as we make sense of the Middle East.