James Spencer is a London-based independent consultant specializing in the political and security issues of the Middle East

Surrounded on all Sides

[caption id="attachment_55245621" align="alignnone" width="594"] Yemeni activist Tawakkul Karman (C) sits amidst members of the Yemeni military…

Curiouser and Curiouser

[caption id="attachment_55245057" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A Yemeni soldier mans a checkpoint on the outskirts of Sana'a on May 16, 2012,…

Who Done It?

[caption id="attachment_55238259" align="alignnone" width="620"] Black smoke rises into the sky just after a bus with Israeli tourists is bombed in…

Iranian Weapons, Uncertain Destination

[caption id="attachment_55238838" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A military officer shows Yemeni Interior Minister Abdul-Qater Qahtan (L) and other…

Oman: Nourishing a Viper in One's Bosom?

[caption id="attachment_55240125" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Aisha Gaddafi speaks on April 14, 2006 in Tripoli. (KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty…

Yemen's Military Makeover

[caption id="attachment_55241186" align="aligncenter" width="620"]A Yemeni soldier stands on the top of a military vehicle at a checkpoint on March…

A Toxic Fog of War

[caption id="attachment_55241672" align="aligncenter" width="620"] An Israeli man tries a gas mask at a distribution centre in Or-Yehuda, south of…

Time and Tide Wait for No Man

[caption id="attachment_55242028" align="aligncenter" width="620"] In this handout image provided by the U.S. Navy, Marines assigned to the 13th…

A Dangerous Supply Chain

[caption id="attachment_55242930" align="alignnone" width="620"] A rebel fighter loads his machine gun during fighting with Syrian government forces…

New Player, Old Rules

[caption id="attachment_55243088" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Iranian supporters of President-elect Hassan Rowhani gather at the mausoleum of…