Lee Smith

June 7, 2020 | Tony Badran |

Bringing the Middle East Back Home

The American Orientalist Class attempts to paint a fantasy Middle Eastern landscape on the American canvas

February 27, 2013 | Lee Smith Tablet |

How AIPAC Is Losing

Chuck Hagel will be secretary of Defense, and Iran will go nuclear. So much for an all-powerful Israel Lobby.

February 14, 2013 | Lee Smith Tablet |

Why Iran Already Has the Bomb

If North Korea has the bomb—as this week’s nuclear test indicated—then for all practical purposes, so does Iran.

January 30, 2013 | Lee Smith Tablet

Eisenhower’s New Fans

Barack Obama and Chuck Hagel look to the 34th president as a foreign-affairs model. But is it a willful misreading?

January 17, 2013 | Lee Smith Tablet |

A Far-Right Israeli Electorate?

Contrary to conventional wisdom, Israelis haven’t become radicals. They’ve just abandoned a delusion.

January 9, 2013 | Lee Smith Tablet

The Rise of Egypt’s Jon Stewart

The popularity of satirist Bassem Youssef may show that the government can’t stifle public debate

January 3, 2013 | Lee Smith Tablet |

Russia, Wannabe Superpower

Will Putin’s ban on adoptions finally help U.S. officials grasp the nature of Russia’s political leadership?

December 20, 2012 | Lee Smith Tablet

Pollard Defenders Vindicated

After 25 years, the CIA has declassified documents that show Jonathan Pollard never spied on the U.S. for Israel

December 12, 2012 | Lee Smith Tablet |

No U.S. Strategy in Syria

The U.S. refuses to arm rebel groups. Now, an al-Qaida affiliate has emerged as one of the strongest factions.

December 5, 2012 | Lee Smith Tablet |

Have Obama and Bibi Made Up?

If the past few weeks are any guide, it looks like the open feud between Jerusalem and Washington is over.

December 3, 2012 |

The Quality of Morsi

Egypt’s new strongman.

November 14, 2012 | Lee Smith Tablet |

Losing Petraeus, Losing Iran

The general was one of few who understood that Iran was at war with the US, and no bargain could be struck

November 8, 2012 | Lee Smith Tablet |

A 2016 Mideast Dispatch

In this report from the future, the U.S. pulls out of the Gulf as the Saudis cozy up to Avigdor Lieberman

October 31, 2012 | Lee Smith Tablet

The Alan Dershowitz Syndrome

Prominent Jews like the Harvard lawyer have spent years criticizing Obama. So, why are they endorsing him?

October 17, 2012 | Lee Smith Tablet |

A 40-Year US Embassy Crisis

The murders in Benghazi are the latest in a string of attacks on American diplomats to go unanswered by the US

October 4, 2012 | Lee Smith Tablet |

America’s Future in the Mideast

Thomas Friedman, Elliott Abrams, Walter Russell Mead, and Aaron David Miller advise the next president.

September 21, 2012 | Lee Smith Tablet

How Orientalism Shaped Obama

The White House’s response to the anti-Islam video is proof of the enduring influence of Edward Said’s ideas

September 12, 2012 | Lee Smith Tablet

Fate Sealed for Egypt’s Jews

Islamists storm the U.S. embassy and Egypt’s last Jews have no rabbi. Shanah tova from the Muslim Brotherhood.

September 5, 2012 | Lee Smith Tablet |

Why Rachel Corrie Went to Gaza

What the pro-Palestinian activist—whose death was just ruled an accident—shared with Lawrence of Arabia

August 22, 2012 | Lee Smith Tablet |

Why Romney Won’t Strike Iran

The three factors that explain why a Republican president is no more likely to stage a pre-emptive attack