After Obama’s Visit, Armageddon Awaits

After US President Barack Obama's visit to Israel, which was scheduled to coincide with Iranian celebrations marking the Persian New Year (Nowruz), it seems that the mythical Battle of Armageddon is approaching. However, the Hidden Imam has not reappeared. Shi'ite eschatology talks of a conflict that will rage before Doomsday—the end of time—between the forces of good and evil on a mountain called "Armageddon", where a decisive battle will take place between the two sides. As soon as he ...

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Obama’s Defining Moments in Israel

Now that US President Barack Obama has returned to Washington and the dust is settling on his visit to the Holy Land, we can take stock of what actually transpired during his trip. Expectations for the trip to Jerusalem, Ramallah and Amman were intentionally set lower than Dead Sea elevation, so it seems overly optimistic to go searching for concrete achievements. But what lessons should informed observers be taking from Obama’s Middle East mission concerning US foreign policy? First, ma...

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