The problem in the Ben Zygier/Prisoner X case, and potentially in many others, is the way the state demands a certain sort of loyalty – "allegiance" – of its citizens.
Category: Middle East
Who lost Gaza?
If you were trying to promote peace, fostering civil war between Fatah and Hamas was a really silly idea. But who said the Bush administration was trying to promote peace?
An electoral roundup
Results from Ecuador, Armenia and Grenada, plus an early election looming in Bulgaria.
Netanyahu bags a centrist
Benjamin Netanyahu needs some centrist cover to form a new right-wing coalition. Now, four weeks after the Israeli election, he seems to have found it.
A new angle on Israel’s dilemma
A comparison with the fate of the Germans in central Europe after the Second World War offers a new understanding of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
Israel throws the switch to security
Benjamin Netanyahu is about to embark on the task of building a new governing coalition. Good timing, then, that Israel's security concerns are in the headlines this week, rather than the possibly more troublesome domestic matters.
A theological view of nuclear weapons
Iran stresses the importance of Ayatollah Khamenei's fatwa against nuclear weapons. Should we take him seriously?
Jordan stays ahead of the revolution, so far
This week's election in Jordan was a less then fully democratic exercise. But King Abdullah II has so far succeeded in steering a moderate course through the perils of the Arab Spring.
Netanyahu back, with some choices to make
Israel's election results are almost final: the precise number doesn't make much difference to Benjamin Netanyahu's options, but his drop in support might be psychologically important.
How to read Israeli election results
A quick guide to following the Israeli election results.
The World is Not Enough 