The Daily Clarity

Middle East Roundup – trends to monitor

The region’s newspapers carried quite a few worrying stories last night. These stories show an escalation of tension in many of the issues we have been covering,  so let’s get the overnight updates.

In Israel, “settlers’ angry at the destruction of one of their illegal outposts by Israeli soldiers responded, not against the Israeli Defense Forces, but against Palestinian graves. Several Palestinian graves in the West Bank were vandalized, others spray painted, and in addition the “settlers” slashed the tires of Arab owned cars. This happened in Hebron where tempers have been running high ,and their has been an increase  in the number of US-trained Palestinian security forces. It will take a great deal of restraint by the Palestinians to not respond in like terms and the tension is high. As Israel, failing to agree a coalition government announces snap elections, the pressure by the extreme right wing “settlers” against both the Israeli government and local Palestinians continues to grow. This is a concern and could cause increased violence on the West Bank.

Lebanon also has increased pressures. The US has agreed to step up supplies of military exports to them as part of the 2006 accord to resupply the Lebanese army. This could be a little late for Lebanon whose weaponry is out of date by comparison to its neighbors. So far the US has provided them with only light arms, but Lebanon is asking for tanks and night vision equipment in a hurry as the potential for conflict grows. At the same time, an Israeli intelligence report states that  Syria has opened up full the supply of advanced weaponry supply to Hezbollah, who occupy the Southern part of Lebanon and the country’s border with Israel. Hezbollah is far better armed than the Lebanese army already, and this sudden increase of arms supplies to Hezbollah has Israel concerned. This against the backdrop of supposed indirect peace talks between Syria and Israel which Syria has stalled until their is a new US President in the White House.

In Afghanistan, another US air attack has caused Afghan security forces fatalities. The Afghan people are angry and are demanding explanations. These latest air raids follow just days after one that killed 9 Afghan soldiers. NATO forces need to tread very carefully. They are increasingly angering the local populace with these attacks and stand to lose the sympathy of the a war weary Afghan people.

In Iraq there was worrying news too. The biggest Sunni faction party has cut off relations with the US after one of their leaders was killed in a bungled US raid. This is a major misstep for the US as the Sunni militia has been a major part of the US surge strategy. On the Shiite side, there was a demonstration march today by people sympathetic with the Supreme Council faction of the Iraqi government against extending security arrangements with the US. Opposition appears to be growing to the US presence in Iraq from both sides of the factional divide and the latest developments will do nothing to help.

Today’s roundup does not carry many good news stories. Today saw a series of events that could have a negative impact on stability in region. Let’s hope for better news in the next few days.