THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA

An Online Journal of Political Commentary & Analysis

Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr., Editor



Conservative & Free Market Analysis of Government, Politics & Public Policy, Covering Political, Legal, Constitutional, Economic, Cultural, Military, International, & Geopolitical Issues
PUBLIC ISSUES & POLITICAL CONTROVERSIES
FOREIGN AFFAIRS -- THE MIDDLE EAST:  SYRIA -- DESPOTIC REGIME,
INTERNATIONAL TROUBLE MAKER, & ENEMY OF THE U.S.A.

THE INCREASINGLY SECTARIAN DIMENSION OF THE CIVIL WAR IN SYRIA:  WHY ANALYSTS & COMMENTATORS SHOULD NOT FOCUS TOO MUCH ON ON THE SECTARIAN PARADIGM -- THE BEST POLICY FOR THE U.S.A. TO PURSUE, IN THE EVENT OF THE DOWNFALL OF THE BASHAR ASSAD REGIME
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume XIV, Issue # 151, September 18, 2012

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

THE SYRIAN CIVIL WAR

By Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi



WHY THE U.S.A. & OTHER WESTERN STATES SHOULD REFRAIN FROM INTERVENING MILITARITY INTO THE SYRIAN CONFLICT: WHY FOREIGN POLICY INTERESTS OF WESTERN STATES SHOULD TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER GENERALIZED HUMANITARIAN CONCERNS -- WHY WESTERNERS MUST VIEW SYRIA STRATEGICALLY, PUTTING A PRIORITY ON THEIR OWN SECURITY -- GEOPOLITICAL DISADVANTAGES OF A PROTRACTED CONFLICT IN SYRIA -- GEOPOLITICAL ADVANTAGES OF SUCH A CONFLICT
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume XIV, Issue # 123, June 13, 2012

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

STAY OUT OF THE SYRIAN MORASS

By Dr. Daniel Pipes



THE SYRIAN CONFLICT, WESTERN MEDIA SOURCES, & BASHAR AL-ASSAD'S MOST PRODIGIOUS PROPAGANDISTS:  THE DIFFICULTIES OF ACCURATE NEWS REPORTING IN SYRIA -- PRO-ASSAD PROPAGANDISTS & CONSPIRACY THEORISTS -- THE ANTI-ASSAD OPPOSITION & THE ISLAMISTS -- WIDESPREAD VIOLENCE -- JIHADISM -- THE THREAT OF ISLAMISM
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume XIV, Issue # 121, June 12, 2012

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

ASSAD'S HOULA PROPAGANDA

By Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi & Phillip Smyth



PORTRAYING SYRIAN CHRISTIANS AS PROPAGANDISTS FOR THE BASHAR ASSAD REGIME:  DISSEMINATION BY NIZAR NAYOUF & AL-HAQIQA OF FALSE CLAIMS OF MASS PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS IN SYRIA BY THE OPPOSITION TO THE ASSAD REGIME -- ATTRIBUTING SUCH UNSUBSTANTIATED STORIES OF CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION TO "CHRISTIAN SOURCES" IN SYSIA, CREATING THE RISK OF INFLAMING ANY PRE-EXISTING ANTI-CHRISTIAN SENTIMENT IN SYRIA & TURNING THE CLAIMS OF MASS PERSECUTION INTO SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECIES -- AL-HAQIQA AS A PRO-ASSAD SITE
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume XIV, Issue # 90, April 23, 2012

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

NIZAR NAYOUF, AL-HAQIQA, & SYRIAN CHRISTIANS

By Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi



HARTFORD SEMINARY'S HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE RELATIONSHIP WITH RADICAL ISLAM:  HARTFORD'S LEADING POSITION AMONG AMERICAN THEOLOGICAL FACULTIES THAT ACCOMODATE ISLAMISM, AN ACCOMODATION WHICH EXTENDS TO THE MURDEROUS REGIME OF SYRIAN DICTATOR BASHAR ASSAD -- THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HARTFORD SEMINARY & THE AL-FATIHA ISLAMIC ACADEMY IN DAMASCUS, WHICH IS APPROVED BY & ALLIED WITH THE ASSAD FAMILY, AGGRESSIVELY PROMOTES SHARIA-BASED FINANCE (ISLAMIC BANKING), & DENOUNCES THE CURRENT INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SYSTEM -- NEED FOR A THOROUGH EXAMINATION OF HARTFORD'S MUSLIM CHAPLAINCY PROGRAM
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume XIV, Issue # 79, April 15, 2012

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

HARTFORD SEMINARY'S SHAMEFUL TIES TO SYRIA'S DICTATOR

By Stephen Schwartz



THE SYRIAN UPRISING AGAINST BASHAR AL-ASSAD'S BAATHIST REGIME & THE ETHNIC CLEANSING OF CHRISTAINS IN SYRIA: ARMED OPPOSITION GROUPS & THE FATE OF THE SYRIAN CHRISTIAN MINORITY -- DISINFORMATION REGARDING THE SYRIAN ARMED OPPOSITION & ITS TREATMENT OF SYRIAN CHRISTIANS -- THE ISLAMISTS' STANDARD TREATMENT OF CHRISTIANS -- WHY THE CLAIMS OF STRAIGHTFORWARD ETHNIC CLEANSING BY ISLAMIST MILITANTS DO NOT ADD UP -- ISLAMIST CONQUEST OF TERRITORY & THE DEMAND FOR THE PAYMENT OF JIZYA BY NON-MUSLIM MINORITIES RESIDING IN THE TERRITORY
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume XIV, Issue # 70, April 8, 2012

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

SYRIAN DISINFORMATION ABOUT CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION

By Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi, Oskar Svadkovsky, & Phillip Smyth



RUTHLESS INTERNATIONAL POLITICS IN THE ISLAMIC MIDDLE EAST:  THE DECADE-LONG HONEYMOON BETWEEN THE TURKISH & SYRIAN POLITICAL REGIMES RAPIDLY COMING TO AN END -- SYRIA SINKING DEEPER & DEEPER IN THE THOES OF CIVIL WAR -- TURKEY'S AKP GOVERNMENT COLD-SHOULDERING THE BAATHIST REGIME IN SYRIA & OPENLY SIDING WITH THE REBELS -- REASONS FOR TURKEY'S SHIFT IN FOREIGN POLICY VIS-A-VIS SYRIA -- TURKEY & ITS NEO-OTTOMAN ASPIRATIONS -- SYRIA, TURKEY, & THE KURDS -- TURKEY, IRAN, & THE WEST
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume XIV, Issue # 66, April 4, 2012

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

TURKISH-SYRIAN RELATIONS GO DOWNHILL

By Dr. Damla Aras



THE SYRIAN UPRISING & PROSPECTS FOR GENUINE REGIME CHANGE IN SYRIA:  SYRIAN PRESIDENT BASHAR AL-ASSAD STRUGGLING TO CONTEND WITH A MASSIVE POPULAR UPRISING -- THE SYRIAN MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD POISED TO DOMINATE WHATEVER COALITION OF FORCES MANAGES TO OVERTHROW THE BAATHIST REGIME -- THE LIKELY OUTCOME:  A STABLE CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY PROTECTING BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS & LIBERTIES, OR AN ISLAMIST DICTATORSHIP CONDUCTING A REIN OF TERROR?
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume XIV, Issue # 60, March 30, 2012

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD REBORN:
THE SYRIAN UPRISING

By Dr. Yvette Talhamy



WHY THE U.S.A. SHOULD NOT SUPPORT THE "OPPOSITION" TO THE ASSAD REGIME IN SYRIA:  WHY THE OVERTHROW OF ASSAD WOULD NOT BE IN THE U.S. NATIONAL INTEREST -- ASSAD'S "OPPOSITION" AS PART OF THE WORDWIDE ISLAMIST JIHAD -- THE FATE OF SYRIA'S CHRISTIAN MINORITY, SHOULD THE ISLAMISTS SEIZE COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE COUNTRY -- THE SORRY PERFORMANCE OF U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA IN HANDLING AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY IN THE MIDDLE EAST
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume XIV, Issue # 48, March 18, 2012

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

THE FATE OF SYRIA

By Raymond Ibrahim



TRIPOLI:  IS THE NORTHERN LEBANESE CITY A BASE FOR ISLAMISTS?  DOES THE CITY POSE A DIRECT THREAT TO SYRIAN SECURITY?  TRIPOLI'S HOPELESSLY FRAGMENTED & PRIMARILY NON-COMBATIVE SALAFI MOVEMENT -- THE CITY'S PROLONGED POLITICAL MARGINALIZATION & ECONOMIC DEPRIVATION -- TRIPOLI'S TRANSITION FROM TOLERATION OF RELIGIOUS & CULTURAL DIVERSITY TO ISLAMISM, JIHADISM, & MARIONITE MILITARIZATION -- THE LEBANESE CIVIL WAR & ITS AFTERMATH -- SUBSEQUENT CONFLICT -- THE CURRENT POLITICAL & ECONOMIC CONDITION OF TRIPOLI -- WHAT IS REQUIRED TO DECONSTRUCT THE PHENOMENON OF TRIPOLI'S ISLAMIC RADICALISM?
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume XIII, Issue # 154, June 13, 2011

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

LEBANON'S ISLAMIST STRONGHOLD

By Hilal Khashan



THE 2008 U.S. DISTRICT COURT CIVIL JUDGEMENT AGAINST THE SYRIAN GOVERNMENT FOR ITS COMPLICITY IN ACTS OF JIHADIST TERRORISM AGAINST U.S. CITIZENS:  A $413 MILLION CIVIL JUDGEMENT AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA FOR ITS PROVISION OF SUPPORT & MATERIAL AID TO THE KILLERS OF TWO AMERICAN CONTRACTORS IN IRAQ -- THE COURT'S RULING IN GATES VERSUS SYRIA (2008):  SYRIA "SUPPORTED, PROTECTED, HARBORED, & SUBSIDIZED" THE IRAQ-BASED TERRORIST GROUP HEADED BY ABU MUS'AB AL-ZARQAWI, THUS BEING CULPABLE FOR THE BEHEADING OF TWO U.S. CONTRACTORS BY THIS GROUP -- SYRIA'S APPEAL IN THE CASE STILL PENDING -- WHAT IS LIKELY TO HAPPEN IF THE SYRIAN GOVERNMENT LOSES THE CASE ON APPEAL?
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume XIII, Issue # 135, May 24, 2011

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

DAMASCUS ON TRIAL

By David Schenker



THE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES THE REVOLT IN SYRIA OFFERS THE WEST -- WHAT THE WESTERN STATES MUST DO:   QUICKLY & ROBUSTLY SEIZE THE MOMENT TO DISPATCH BASHAR AL-ASSAD & HIS ACCOMPLICES -- THE MANY BENEFITS THAT WILL FOLLOW WHEN THE ASSAD REGIME REACHES ITS APPOINTED DUSTBIN OF HISTORY -- FOREIGN & GEOPOLITICAL BENEFITS --DOMESTIC & HUMANITARIAN BENEFITS -- ONE POTENTIAL DANGER OF REGIME CHANGE IN SYRIA -- SUNNIS VERSUS ALAWIS -- HOW WESTERN POLICY CAN MAKE A DECISIVE DIFFERENCE
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume XIII, Issue # 134, May 24, 2011

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

FIN DE REGIME IN SYRIA?

By Dr. Daniel Pipes



LEBANON & THE POWER STRUGGLE IN THE MIDDLE EAST:  LEBANON'S STRUGGLE FOR SOVEREIGNTY -- SYRIAN INTERVENTION INTO LEBANESE POLITICS -- SYRIA'S WITHDRAWAL FROM & RETURN TO LEBANON -- THE IMPACT ON LEBANON OF THE ASCENDANCY OF IRAN & ITS ARAB PROXIES -- LEBANON'S CURRENT POLITICAL SITUATION, DOMESTICALLY & INTERNATIONALLY -- THE ROLE OF SAUDI ARABIA IN UNDERMINING THE STRUGGLE FOR LEBANESE SOVEREIGNTY & RETURNING LEBANON TO THE ERA OF SYRIAN DOMINATION
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume XIII, Issue # 18, January 17, 2011

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

SAAD HARIRI'S MOMENT OF TRUTH

By Dr. Hilal Khashan



SYRIA AS A LONG-STANDING STATE SPONSOR OF ISLAMIC INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM: THE ROLE OF THE SYRIAN GOVERNMENT IN ASSISTING & FACILITATING ISLAMIST TERRORIST ACTIVITY & THE INSURGENCY IN IRAQ -- SOPHISTICATED NETWORKS ESTABLISHED BY TERRORISTS & INSURGENTS TO FACILITATE THE MOVEMENT OF FOREIGN FIGHTERS FROM VARIOUS PARTS OF THE WORLD TO & THROUGH SYRIA, & INTO IRAQ -- ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES FOR SYRIA & IRAQ -- BENEFITS TO SYRIA -- NEGATIVES FOR SYRIA -- AL-QA'IDA IN IRAQ & THE ZARQAWI NRTWORK -- BENEFITS TO AL-QA'IDA IN IRAQ -- SHUTING DOWN THE NETWORKS & STARVING THE INSURGENCY OF ITS SUPPLY OF MATERIEL, FUNDS, & MANPOWER
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume XII, Issue # 13, January 20, 2010

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

SYRIA'S FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR JIHAD:
SYRIAN TERRORISM

By Dr. Matthew Levitt



HOW THE SYRIAN REGIME HANDLES DISSENT:  SUPPRESSION OF POLITICAL DISSENT IN SYRIA -- ABSENCE OF FREE EXPRESSION & OTHER CIVIL LIBERTIES GUARANTEES IN SYRIA
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume XI, Issue # 72, March 5, 2009

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

DISSIDENT WATCH: TARIQ BIASI

By Gideon Spitzer



SYRIA, THE MIDDLE EAST, & U.S. FOREIGN FOLICY:  OBAMA PLANNING DIPLOMATIC ENGAGEMENT WITH SYRIA, HOPING TO WEAKEN SYRIA'S CONNECTION TO HAMAS & HEZBOLLAH & UNDERMINE THE SYRIAN-IRANIAN RELATIONSHIP -- ARAB HISTORY & POLITICAL CULTURE AS THE PRIMARY PROBLEM WITH PURSUIT OF OBAMA'S POLICY AGENDA IN THE MIDDLE EAST -- WHY ALL THREE RIVALS FOR LEADERSHIP OF THE ARAB WORLD, SYRIA, IRAQ & EGYPT, WILL NEVER COEXIST SIMULTANEOUSLY AS PARTNERS
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume X, Issue # 300, November 12, 2008

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

SYRIA CANNOT BE FLIPPED

By Dr. Michael Rubin



ISRAELI-SYRIAN RELATIONS:  SYRIAN THREATS & ISRAELI MILITARY ACTION -- THE ISRAELI AIR FORCE ATTACK ON SYRIA'S SUSPECTED NUCLEAR FACILITY -- HOW THIS AIR STRIKE CALLED BASHAR AL-ASSAD'S BLUFF & REVEALED HIS REGIME'S STRATEGIC WEAKNESS -- WHAT BASHAR'S COVERT FLIRTATION WITH NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY SUGGESTS -- THE CONTINUING NEGATIVE DYNAMIC BETWEEN SYRIA & ISRAEL -- ACCUMULATING TENSION, MILITARY PREPARATIONS, & FORECASTS OF WAR
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume X, Issue # 176, July 20, 2008

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

AN ISRAELI WATERSHED:  STRIKE ON SYRIA

By Dr. Eyal Zisser



THE CONFLICT IN LEBANON:  IRAN, SYRIA, & HEZBOLLAH VERSUS THE WEST -- LEBANON AS A KEY BATTLEGROUND BETWEEN THE WEST AS A WHOLE & THE FORCES THAT SEEK TO DRAG THE MIDDLE EAST DOWN INTO FANATICISM, TYRANNY, & BARBARISM -- LEBANON AS THE FOCAL POINT OF THE ANTI-WESTERN STRATEGY OF IRAN & ITS ALLIES, SYRIA & HEZBOLLAH -- THE TRANSFORMATION OF IRANIAN POLITICS THAT IS BEING PLAYED OUT IN LEBANON & GAZA -- IRAN'S PLAN TO CO-OPT ARAB NATIONALISM, HAVE AN ACTIVE WAR WITH ISRAEL, BE VICTORIOUS IN THAT WAR, & SEIZE LEADERSHIP OF THE MUSLIM WORLD FROM THE SUNNIS & ARABS
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume X, Issue # 92, April 9, 2008

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR THE WEST IN LEBANON?
A BRIEFING BY DR. DAVID WURMSER

Summary Account by Mimi Stillman



SYRIA, THE U.S.A., & THE MIDDLE EAST:  BASHAR AL-ASSAD, THE SYRIAN POLITICAL REGIME, & SYRIA'S FOREIGN POLICY GOALS -- THE MESSAGE THAT AL-ASSAD IS SENDING TO U.S. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH & HIS ADMINISTRATION:  SYRIA IS NOT PREPARED TO ENTER INTO AN AXIS WITH THE U.S.A. & THE U.S. GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT INSIST THAT SYRIA DO SO. IN EXCHANGE FOR FRIENDLY DIALOGUE BETWEEN SYRIA & THE U.S.A., THE LATTER MUST ABANDON IRAQ, LEAVE LEBANON OPEN TO SYRIAN DOMINATION, & AGREE TO THE RETURN OF THE GOLAN HEIGHTS TO SYRIA. IN SHORT, THE U.S.A. MUST CAPITULATE TO SYRIAN DEMANDS & LEAVE ISRAEL & THE ENTIRE MIDDLE EAST AT THE MERCY OF TYRANNICAL REGIMES & ISLAMIST TERRORISTS
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume IX, Issue # 240, December 21, 2007

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

WHERE IS BASHAR AL-ASSAD HEADING?

By Eyal Zisser



SYRIA'S AUTHORITARIAN POLITICAL REGIME & U.S. FOREIGN POLICY:  SYRIA'S DENIAL OF HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTIONS TO POLITICAL DISSIDENTS & REGIME CRITICS -- THE U.S. GOVERNMENT'S WEAK REACTION TO THE ARREST & IMPRISONMENT OF SYRIAN PRO-REFORM POLITICAL ACTIVIST KAMAL AL-LABWANI -- FAILURE OF THE WHITE HOUSE TO TRANSLATE ITS DISPLEASURE INTO POLICY -- U.S. ACTION IN SUPPORT OF POLITICAL & FREE MARKET REFORMS & BASIC GUARANTEES OF CIVIL LIBERTIES IN SYRIA SPEAKS MUCH SOFTER THAN THE RHETORIC OF U.S. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH & SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume IX, Issue # 220, November 20, 2007

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

DISSIDENT WATCH:  KAMAL AL-LABWANI

By Adam Pechter



THE EVOLVING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SYRIA & HEZBOLLAH IN LEBANON: HEZBOLLAH'S TRANSITION FROM THE ROLE OF SUBSERVIENT JUNIOR PARTNER IN ITS AXIS WITH SYRIA TO THE ROLE OF DOMINANT PARTNER -- THE CONSEQUENT WEAKENING OF SYRIA'S ROLE IN LEBANON -- HEZBOLLAH'S ABANDONMENT OF COOPERATION WITH THE EXISTING LEBANESE GOVERNMENT, STAKING OUT A MORE MAXIMALIST POSITION TO DOMINATE LEBANON & TRANSFORM ITS POLITICAL CHARACTER INTO AN IRANIAN-STYLE ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALIST STATE -- THE STRENGTHENING ROLE OF IRAN IN LEBANON, WHERE IRANIAN AGENTS, IN LEAGUE WITH HEZBOLLAH, HAVE CONSOLIDATED A STATE WITHIN A STATE -- THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC'S ADOPTION OF SYRIA'S FORMER DOMINANT ROLE IN LEBANON
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume IX, Issue # 171, September 16, 2007

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

HAS HEZBOLLAH'S RISE COME AT SYRIA'S EXPENSE?

By Dr. Robert G. Rabil



ISRAEL, HEZBOLLAH, LEBANON, SYRIA, & THE ISRAELI-ARAB CONFLICT:  THE SECOND LEBANON WAR AS A FALTERING, INDECISIVE WAR RESULTING FROM ISRAEL'S STRATEGIC FOLLIES & OPERATIONAL DEFICIENCES -- THE ISRAELI POLITICAL & MILITARY LEADERSHIP'S LACK OF A CLEAR CONCEPT OF WHAT VICTORY OVER HEZBOLLAH ENTAILED -- HOW ISRAEL SQUANDERED AN OPPORTUNITY TO SETTLE REGIONAL SCORES & MAINTAIN UNQUESTIONED ISRAELI DETERRENCE IN THE MIDDLE EAST -- THE STRENGTHS & ADVANTAGES UPON WHICH ISRAEL CAN BUILD & PREPARE TO ATTAIN A CLEAR & DECISIVE VICTORY IN THE NEXT ROUND WITH HEZBOLLAH & THE SYRIAN POLITICAL REGIME
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume IX, Issue # 76, April 30, 2007

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

HOW ISRAEL BUNGLED THE SECOND LEBANON WAR

By Dr. Efraim Inbar



THE MIDDLE EAST:  ALTERNATIVE SYSTEMS OF GOVERNANCE -- THE ORIGIN OF MIDDLE EASTERN POLITICAL TRADITIONS & STRUCTURES -- COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ANCIENT & MODERN GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEMS -- THE TENSION BETWEEN THE AUTHORITARIAN RULE OF CENTRALIZED STATE GOVERNMENT & THE COUNTERVAILING POWER OF LOCAL ENTITIES -- THE CONTEMPORARY BATTLE BETWEEN EXCLUSIONARY & CONSENSUAL GOVERNING SYSTEMS
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume IX, Issue # 71, April 23, 2007

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

MIDDLE EAST STRONGMEN -- ANCIENT & MODERN:
A REVIEW ESSAY

By Tony Badran



AMERICAN POLITICS, FOREIGN POLICY, & FREELANCE DIPLOMACY:  U.S. POLITICIANS ENDANGERING AMERICAN NATIONAL INTERESTS & SECURITY BY BLIND & INEPT ENGAGEMENT WITH AMERICA'S ADVERSARIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST -- LEGITIMIZING TYRANNICAL DICTATORS & STATE SPONSORS OF TERRORISM -- UNPRINCIPLED & IRRESPONSIBLE POLITICIANS USE THEIR SEATS IN THE U.S. SENATE TO UNDERMINE AMERICA'S POSITION IN THE MIDDLE EAST FOR THE SAKE OF GAINING PUBLICITY & FURTHERING THEIR DOMESTIC POLITICAL AMBITIONS
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume VIII, Issue # 255, December 28, 2006

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

SENATOR ARLEN SPECTER & COLLEAGUES TRAVEL
ABROAD, BUT BID FOR DIALOGUE YIELDS LITTLE

By Dr. Michael Rubin



SYRIA:  MIDDLE EASTERN TROUBLEMAKER & ENEMY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA -- WHY THE SYRIAN POLITICAL REGIME OF BASHAR AL-ASSAD CONTINUES TO DEFY THE U.S.A. -- THE PROBLEMS THAT THE SYRIAN REGIME & ITS STRATEGY ARE CREATING FOR AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY IN THE MIDDLE EAST -- WHY & HOW THE BUSH PRESIDENCY SHOULD CALL BASHAR'S BLUFF -- THE PROPER ROLE OF U.S, MILITARY ACTION
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume VIII, Issue # 196, October 11, 2006

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

BASHAR AL-ASSAD'S GAMBLE

By Eyal Zisser



LEBANON, ISRAEL, ISLAMIST TERRORISM, & WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST:  THE ISRAELI-ARAB CONFLICT & MIDDLE EASTERN TERRORISM IN THE BROADER CONTEXT OF THE WORLDWIDE ISLAMIST JIHAD BEING WAGED AGAINST ISRAEL, AMERICA, & THE WEST -- THE ROLE OF IRAN'S ISLAMIST REGIME IN THE GLOBAL CONFLICT -- THE NEED FOR THE U.S.A. & ITS ALLIES, THROUGH COVERT COUNTERTERRORIST POLITICAL ACTION AS WELL AS OVERT MILITARY ACTION, TO BRING ABOUT THE DEFEAT & TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF THEIR DEADLY ENEMIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume VIII, Issue # 153, August 13, 2006

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

LEBANON:  THE IMAGINARY NATION

By Alan Caruba



WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST:  THE LONG & TROUBLED HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE EAST & THE IDEA OF DISPATCHING AN INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE TO THE REGION -- THE IMPORTANT LESSON THAT THE STATE OF ISRAEL LEARNED, AS REGARDS TRUSTING INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPERS -- THE SAME LESSON THAT THE U.S.A. & THE WEST SHOULD HAVE LEARNED BY NOW -- THE FOLLY OF RELYING ON INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPERS TO END A WAR IN PROGRESS
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume VIII, Issue # 133, July 21, 2006

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

SENDING IN THE PEACEKEEPERS IS A FOOL'S GAME

By Dr. Michael Rubin



THE MIDDLE EAST & THE ISLAMIST TERROR WAR BEING WAGED AGAINST THE STATE OF ISRAEL:  WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS OF AN ENDURING PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST?  IS THERE A ROLE FOR DIPLOMACY IN THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS?  TOTAL ANNIHILATION OF SUCH TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS AS HEZBOLLAH & HAMAS & SEVERE PUNISHMENT OF THEIR STATE SPONSORS MUST PRECEDE DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO ARRANGE A MIDDLE EAST PEACE
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume VIII, Issue # 130, July 18, 2006

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

THE ISRAELI-ARAB CONFLICT & PROSPECTS FOR MIDEAST PEACE:
Eradication of Terrorists Prior to Diplomacy

By Dr. Michael Rubin



A HISTORY OF THE THIRD WORLD WAR:  THE COLD WAR & THE ISLAMIC MIDDLE EAST -- THE ROLE OF THE KGB IN THE SOVIET UNION'S ENDEAVOR TO GAIN INFLUENCE IN & CONTROL OF THE MIDDLE EAST & USE IT TO UNDERMINE & CONQUER THE U.S.A. & THE WEST -- HOW & WHY THE KGB'S EFFORTS ENDED LARGELY IN FAILURE -- IN WHAT WAY DID THE EFFORTS SUCCEED?
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume VIII, Issue # 121, July 11, 2006

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

HAMMER, SIKLE, & CRESCENT:  A BOOK REVIEW

By Dr. Barry Rubin



THE CURRENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LIBYA & THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:  HAS THE U.S. GOVERNMENT'S SUCCESS IN RESOLVING ITS MOST VITAL DIFFERENCES WITH THE MU'AMMAR QADHAFI POLITICAL REGIME IN LIBYA BEEN THE RESULT OF A ROBUST U.S. POLICY OF FORCE PROJECTION IN IRAQ?  WOULD SIMILAR FORCE PROJECTION BY THE U.S.A. CREATE COMPARABLE COMPLIANCE FROM OTHER HOSTILE REGIMES, SUCH AS THOSE IN SYRIA, IRAN, & NORTH KOREA?
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume VIII, Issue # 2, January 3, 2006

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

LIBYA & THE U.S.A.:  THE UNIQUE LIBYAN CASE

By Jon B. Alterman



MIDDLE EASTERN POLITICS & AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY:  MIDDLE EASTERN SOCIETIES, THEIR POLITICAL HISTORY, THEIR POLITICAL LEADERS, & THEIR RELATIONS WITH THE U.S.A. -- AMERICAN NATIONAL INTERESTS IN SOUTHWEST & CENTRAL ASIA & IN NORTH AFRICA -- IRAQ, IRAN, KURDISTAN, SYRIA, LIBYA, & SOUTH YEMEN
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume VII, Issue # 243, November 5, 2005

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

THE MIDDLE EAST & THE U.S.A.

An Interview of William Eagleton by Suzzanne Gershowitz
for the Middle East Quarterly



THE CURRENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SYRIA & LEBANON:  SYRIA'S UNDERGROUND INTELLIGENCE APPARATUS IN LEBANON AS THE BASIS OF SYRIAN CONTROL OF LEBANON -- SYRIA'S EXPLOITATION OF & FINANCIAL DEPENDENCE ON THE LEBANESE ECONOMY -- THE PROBLEM THAT THE SITUATION POSES FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume VII, Issue # 220, October 4, 2005

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

SYRIA AFTER LEBANON:  HOOKED ON LEBANON

By Gary C. Gambill



SYRIA AS A CONTINUING PROBLEM FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:  THE SYRIAN POLITICAL REGIME STILL IN THE CROSS HAIRS OF U.S. DEFENSE & INTELLIGENCE CONCERN -- SYRIAN ATTEMPTS TO ACQUIRE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, PARTICULARLY SOPHISTICATED SURFACE-TO-SURFACE BALLISTIC MISSILES -- HIGH PROBABILITY THAT SYRIA NOW POSSESSES BIOLOGICAL & CHEMICAL WEAPONS, AS WELL AS NUCLEAR SECRETS -- THE SYRIAN REGIME'S DEMONSTRATED WILLINGNESS TO USE TERRORISM TO ADVANCE ITS GEOPOLITICAL GOALS
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume VII, Issue # 212, September 22, 2005

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

SYRIA AFTER LEBANON:
THE GROWING SYRIAN MISSILE THREAT

By Lee Kass



WHAT IS ESSENTIAL TO LEBANON'S BECOMING A REAL NATION AGAIN & OPERATING A STABLE & ENDURING CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL SYSTEM: &THE LEBANESE MUSLIMS' DEMONSTRATING TOLERANCE FOR LEBANON'S CHRISTIAN MINORITY, ESTABLISHING THE RULE OF SECULAR LAW & MAKING PEACE WITH ISRAEL, AS WELL AS THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT'S ACHIEVING ITS GOAL OF TRANSFORMING THE MIDDLE EAST, A GOAL WHICH WILL BE ACHIEVED ONLY WHEN CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY IS IMPOSED & PROTECTED BY THE ARMED MIGHT OF THE U.S.A.
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume VII, Issue # 160, July 26, 2005

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

THE LEBANESE DILEMMA

By Alan Caruba



SYRIA'S LOSS OF COMMAND & CONTROL OF LEBANON -- THE LIKELY CONSEQUENCES OF SYRIAN MILITARY WITHDRAWAL FROM LEBANON, AFTER INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE FOR SYRIAN WITHDRAWAL RESULTED FROM A CASCADING SERIES OF SYRIAN MISCALCULATIONS: SYRIA'S LOSS OF REGIONAL PRESTIGE IN THE LEVANT & THE MIDDLE EAST, SUBSTANTIAL WEAKENING OF THE SYRIAN BAATHIST REGIME'S STAYING POWER INSIDE SYRIA ITSELF, & THE EVENTUAL DOWNFALL OF BASHAR AL-ASSAD & HIS DICTATORSHIP
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume VII, Issue # 135, June 21, 2005

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

SYRIA, LEBANON, & THE LEVANT:
BASHAR AL-ASSAD'S LEBANON GAMBLE

By William Harris



THE CEDAR REVOLUTION:  THE MOVEMENT TO BRING CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY TO LEBANON -- WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR THE CEDAR REVOLUTION TO SUCCEED?  LEBANESE POLITICIANS' TAKING STEPS TO DISARM HEZBOLLAH & THEIR CUTTING TIES WITH ELEMENTS OF THE FORMER SYRIAN OCCUPATION REGIME
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume VII, Issue # 131, June 15, 2005

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

HOW THE LEBANESE WON BACK THEIR FREEDOM

By Walid Phares



SYRIA & ITS DESPOTIC POLITICAL SYSTEM:  DICTATORSHIP & THE SUPPRESSION OF MOVEMENTS ADVOCATING DEMOCRACY & PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS -- AKTHAM NAISSE:  ONE DISSIDENT'S STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRACY & HUMAN RIGHTS IN SYRIA
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume VII, Issue # 127, June 9, 2005

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

DISSIDENT WATCH:  ALTHAM NAISSE

By Suzanne Gershowitz



SYRIA, LEBANON, & THE MIDDLE EAST -- THE SYRIAN POLITICAL REGIME, ITS MILITARY OCCUPATION & SUBJUGATION OF LEBANON, & HOW THE SYRIAN REGIME HAS TURNED LEBANON INTO A MAJOR CENTER FOR TRAINING ISLAMIC TERRORISTS & FOR FUNDING & SUPPORT OF THE WAR WHICH THE ISLAMISTS & BAATHISTS ARE WAGING TO INSURE THAT THE ENTIRE MIDDLE EAST REMAINS THE SAME SORRY PLACE IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN SINCE THE FIRST WORLD WAR & THE COLLAPSE OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume VI, Issue # 206, September 21, 2004

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

SYRIA, LEBANON, TERRORISM, & THE MIDDLE EAST:
THE LEBANESE REMAIN SYRIA'S CAPTIVES & PAWNS

By Alan Caruba



THE ARABS' BLEAK FUTURE -- THE DECADENCE & DECLINE OF THE ARAB MIDDLE EAST:  FOCUS ON THE COMPENSATIONS OF THE NEXT WORLD WILL DO NOTHING TO ALTER THE ARABS' PREDICAMENT IN THIS WORLD
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume V, Issue # 278, November 17, 2003

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

THE DECLINE OF THE ARABS

By Asher Susser



SYRIA & THE U.S.A.--WHAT IS NEEDED IN U.S. FOREIGN & MILITARY POLICY TO INDUCE SYRIA TO DISCONTINUE AIDING & SHELTERING TERRORISTS, SMUGGLING OIL & GUNS TO & FOR FORCES HOSTILE TO THE U.S.A. & ITS ALLIES, DEVELOPING & USING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, & KEEPING SYRIAN TROOPS IN LEBANON:  FIRMNESS & RESOLVE, CLEAR & UNAMBIGUOUS MESSAGES AS TO WHAT THE U.S.A. WILL NOT TOLERATE, IMPOSITION OF ECONOMIC & OTHER SANCTIONS, & THE WILL AS WELL AS THE ABILITY TO EMPLOY EFFECTIVE & DECISIVE MILI- TARY FORCE, IF NECESSARY
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume V, Issue # 256, October 21, 2003

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

SYRIA & THE U.S.A.:

BAD HABITS DIE HARD

By Eyal Zisser



SYRIA -- ROGUE STATE, ENEMY OF THE U.S.A., SPONSOR OF TERRORISM, MAJOR MISCHIEF MAKER IN THE FESTERING MIDDLE EAST, & DEVELOPER/ACQUIRER OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION & BALLISTIC MISSILE DELIVERY SYSTEMS:  WHY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT IS CONCERNED ABOUT SYRIA'S WMD & MISSILE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume V, Issue # 239, September 26, 2003

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

SYRIA'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION
& MISSILE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

By John R. Bolton



SYRIA'S OCCUPATION OF LEBANON, INTABILITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST, & THE CONTINUING THREAT OF INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC TERRORISM AIDED & ABETTED BY THE SYRIAN POLITICAL REGIME
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume V, Issue # 190, July 24, 2003

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

THE SYRIAN OCCUPATION OF LEBANON:

A BRIEFING PRESENTED TO THE
MIDDLE EAST FORUM

By Gary C. Gambill



THE DESPOTIC & TROUBLE-MAKING REGIME OF BASHAR AL-ASSAD & THE OLD GUARD IN SYRIA -- WILL THE SYRIAN DESPOTISM BE THE NEXT MIDDLE EASTERN CESSPOOL OF TYRANNY, CORRUPTION, & INTERNATIONAL MISCHIEF-MAKING TAKEN OUT MILITARILY BY THE U.S.A. & ITS COALITION PARTNERS?
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Volume V, Issue # 99, April 6, 2003

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

THE DESPOTIC REGIME IN SYRIA:

IS IT THE NEXT TO BE ELIMINATED
BY AMERICAN & COALITION FORCES?

By By Alan Caruba




Return to Top of Page

Return to Beginning of
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA,
Public Issues & Political Controversies


Return to POLITICAL EDUCATION Homepage