Thursday Links Part 1

From Ian:

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Rearranging the Middle East

Rearranging the Middle East’s map would be costly in terms of material resources, with people resettling from one area to another, but, in the long run, it will save lives and reduce injustices. The U.S.’s insistence on keeping the artificial and troublesome states of Iraq and Syria whole is incomprehensible since it betrays the cherished ideals of freedom of choice. Given the hodgepodge composition of Iraq and Syria, the natural inclination of the minority groups would be for self-determination. The oppressed minorities have long awaited self-rule. The Kurdish, Christian, Druze, and Alawi states will also diminish the intensity of the Arab-Israeli conflict by serving as a barrier between the Sunni-Arab state and Israel. The civil war in Syria and Iraq creates a perfect opportunity for America to support the right thing.

Improbable new pact shows Iran’s ally in Baghdad is losing power

Pro-Western Iraqi Kurdistan, with ties to US and Israel, has squeezed concessions out of Iraq’s weakened Shiite PM Maliki. He may not intend to honor the deal, but the fact that he signed it speaks volumes

Barry Rubin: Kerry's Embarrassing "Peace Process" Obsession

A case can be made for Kerry showing himself as working hard for peace in order to defuse any possible effect on events elsewhere in the region. But by working too hard, spending too much of his time on the issue, and making absurd claims that he is going to succeed, Kerry is setting himself up for an embarrassing fall.

Netanyahu to Abbas: Give Peace a Chance

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Wednesday called on Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to “give peace a chance.”
Speaking at a Knesset session called by the opposition and which dealt with the peace process, Netanyahu said that Abbas should give up his preconditions and come to the negotiating table.

Khaled Abu Toameh: Abbas: No peace without J'lem as Palestinian capital

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas declared Wednesday that there would be no peace or a Palestinian state without Jerusalem as the capital of that state.
"We won't accept any city other than Jerusalem as our capital," Abbas said during a speech at a conference on Jerusalem in Ramallah.

Hamas Slams ‘Illegal’ New PA Government

Abbas’ move “proves that the Fatah leadership is willing to maintain and prolong the state of disagreement,” read a Hamas statement printed by Maan news.
Hamas sources noted that they have no objections to Hamdallah in particular. Their objection is over the fact that a new government does not include Hamas and was created unilaterally, they said.

UN Watch: Why the UN's Falk is Lobbying to Silence UN Watch


Douglas Murray: "Debating" Beheading

People who believe in the murder of British troops abroad are trying to pretend that they can find a way to oppose their murder on British streets. Those who believe in the murder of two-year old Israeli children are trying to find a way to explain why the murder of a British man in his twenties is wrong. How can those who claim that killing "infidel" warriors in war zones is a good thing hope people will believe them when they say that killing an "infidel" soldier in London is a bad thing?

Jordan Islamist delegation enters Gaza via tunnels

A delegation of Jordanian politicians entered the Gaza Strip this week via smuggling tunnels under the Egypt-Gaza border, Egyptian security officials said Wednesday.
Members from Jordan's Islamist Freedom and Justice party spent two days in Gaza, and reportedly met with Hamas officials.

Al-Qaeda Syrian Rebel Group Now Sitting on Israeli Border

The IDF verified reports Thursday morning that Syrian rebel forces had conquered parts of the Golan city of Kuneitra, placing them directly on the border with Israel. IDF officials said that the takeover of the area by rebel forces was a “significant development.”

Al-Qaida leader calls for Jihad against Israel

Al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri urged Syrians to unite to bring down President Bashar Assad and thwart what he said were US plans to set up a client state in Syria to safeguard Israel's security.
In a 22-minute recording, posted on Islamist websites on Thursday to mark 65 years since Israel's founding, Zawahri also said the only way to solve the Palestinian problem was through Jihad (Islamic holy war).

'Anti-Semitism Pervades Al Qaeda Magazine'

In an ongoing effort to recruit and attract jihadists, Al Qaeda’s “Inspire” magazine continues to promote anti-Semitic narratives, depicting Jews as being at war with Islam and calling for the destruction of Israel,” according to an analysis by the Anti-Defamation League.

Arab League condemns Hezbollah's role in Syria

The Arab League on Wednesday condemned the military intervention in Syria by the Lebanese Shi'ite militant group Hezbollah, Arab League Secretary General Nabil Elaraby said.

Report: Iran, Hizbullah to 'Fight to the Death' for Assad

Iran and Hizbullah are doing everything they can to keep Bashar Assad in power in Syria, said a special report by the The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center (ITIC), an independent organization that keeps track of terror groups and activities in the Middle East and around the world. “For Iran and Hizbullah, the preservation of Bashar Assad's regime is of supreme strategic importance,” ITIC says in its latest report.

Hollande wins UNESCO peace prize for Mali intervention

Francois Hollande was awarded the annual Felix Houphouet-Boigny Peace Prize by Unesco at a ceremony in Paris.
The president of the jury praised Mr Hollande for the "solidarity shown by France to the peoples of Africa".
The decision was criticised by some human rights groups, who noted the continuing unrest in Mali. (h/t MTB)

Defiance: Host of Turkish Scrabble-Like Quiz Show Crafts 70 Questions Whose Answers Discomfort the Government

One guy, a game show host (of all things!), decided to defy the complete ban on mentioning what everyone could see outside their windows by writing 70 questions for his show for which all answers related to the protests and provoked the government -- and not in a playful way, either.
Literally every question/answer defied the ban, but I'm just quoting the edgier ones.