Estimation: 2014 – Year of turnarounds in the Middle East (Part 2)

hariri-netherlands-aFormer Prime Minister Saad Hariri stunned his fellow countrymen with his readiness to build a cabinet together with his foe Hezbollah. (DW-TV)

Summary
An explosive and dangerous mixture of war and several security incidents has accumulated in the Levant. Lebanon is seen by many in the “eye of the storm”. We don’t think such is on the horizon for the time being.

With its engagement in Syria, Iran has carved out chances to broaden its influence in the region. It cannot dominate, but it has manoeuvred itself in position to force others into making significant concessions. A new balance of power is being established that could safe the region from catastrophe.

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LIBANON – Kataib-Chef Gemayel: Es war ein Attentat auf meinen Sohn Sami geplant

Kataib-Chef Amin Gemayel: Internal Security Forces (ISF) haben uns mitgeteilt, dass ein Attentat auf meinen Sohn, den Abgeordneten Sami Gemayel, geplant war. (Al-Liwaa)

Einordnung: Sami Gemayels Bruder Pierre (damals Industrieminister) war im November 2006 auf offener Straße in einem Vorort von Beirut (Jdeideh) in seinem PKW auf offener Straße erschossen worden.

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