Today The Washington Post published an article devoted to the situation in Egypt. According to the author, the country is becoming more and more democratic and independent from the West. Evidence of this is the enhancement of the country’s ties with Iran. During Mubarak’s regime, Egypt was US-oriented, but now the country is going to establish successful cooperation with a major US adversary in the region, the author points out. He also points out that Egypt had tense relations with Iran after the Islamic revolution, and even granted refugee status to the overthrown Shah. A new period in Egyptian-Iranian relations has definitely begun, the author believes.
The same problem is discussed in an article entitled “In Shift, Egypt Warms to Iran and Hamas, Israel’s Foes” published today by The New York Times. The author of this article also thinks that a shift in Egypt’s foreign policy is evident and the country is going to enhance ties with Israel's main opponents in the Middle East. The new configuration of power in the region is dangerous for Israel, the author concludes.
The Los Angeles Times published an article headlined “Syria protests erupt despite government warnings”. The authors of the article admit that the Syrian crisis is continuing to unfold and now even the country’s major allies, such as Turkey and Iran, appear to be growing uncomfortable with the crackdown. Turkey is Syria's long-term partner, interested in peace and stability in the country, which is why it’s trying to calm the conflict down and call upon the Syrian government and opposition to continue talks.
The Guardian also published an article devoted to the crisis in the Middle East. The main idea of the article is that absence of pressure on Saudi Arabia and Bahrain will only deepen the gulf of mistrust between Iran and the West. According to the author, the West's silence over violence in Bahrain highlights double standards. In such a situation, the position of Iran may seem more adequate, which spoils the Western countries’ reputations.
