Jacob Wirtschafter
The Washington Times
Egypt
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Past articles by Jacob:
Jamal Khashoggi killing gives Turkey chance to hit Saudi Arabia
It’s an odd mix of outrage, fear, bafflement and a sneaking undertone of satisfaction as Turks watch the international drama over the fate of U.S.-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi play out on the streets. → Read More
Coptic abbot's murder points to strains over ecumenism in Egypt
(RNS) — Egypt's Coptic Orthodox community is reeling from the murder of the abbot of St. Macarius Monastery, apparently by traditionalists of his own faith, in a fourth-century center of meditation and scholarship near Cairo. → Read More
Idlib, last refuge of Free Syrian Army, plagued by violence
Since January 2016, Syrians driven from their homes by the country's brutal civil war have arrived en masse in the northwestern city and its surrounding province bordering Turkey. → Read More
Egypt fights Islamic extremism by allowing women leaders at mosques
CAIRO (RNS) — The move to introduce women preachers – wa’ezzat in Arabic – marks the first time females have formally addressed worshippers in these spaces as officially sanctioned clergy. → Read More
Mahmoud Abbas replacement unclear as Palestinians fear leadership vacuum
Partisan politics has failed to produce a younger generation of leaders, economic opportunities for youths or movement on the Palestinians' ultimate goal of an independent state on land that would include settlements now firmly under Israeli control. → Read More
Muqtada al-Sadr, Iraqi Shiite militia leader, election kingmaker in Baghdad
In an upset for U.S.-backed Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s Victory List, the Sa’iroon alliance of Muqtada al-Sadr and Iraqi communists held the lead Monday night in six of Iraq’s 18 provinces and came in second in four others. → Read More
Rural communities in Syria brace for next attacks by Assad military
Having secured the last rebel-held areas around Damascus, the Syrian government army is on the move again, this time targeting a stubborn, opposition-held pocket north of Homs. → Read More
Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, Egypt's president, tempted to expand term after crushing victory
President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has vowed repeatedly to respect the limits on his power outlined in Egypt’s 2014 constitution, but many believe he might try for an extended stay in office, with some of his supporters egging him on. → Read More
Qamishli, Syria residents strike deal between Assad, Kurdish forces
The complexities of Syria’s 7-year-old civil war are playing out in the odd, uneasy peace that reigns in this northeastern town on the Turkish border after forces loyal to President Bashar Assad and U.S.-allied Kurdish militia fighters struck a truce deal. → Read More
Trump praises Shiekh Al Thani for Qatar terror funding fight
Despite the best efforts of the United States, the isolation campaign and embargo have split families, raised prices for food and medicine — and revealed to the Qataris how much their small but proud nation is reliant on the good graces of others. → Read More
Palestinian violence, regional unrest mute Israel’s 70th anniversary celebration
As Israelis prepare to mark the 70th anniversary of their nation’s founding April 18, the century-long conflict over the land they share uneasily with the Palestinians will extend to a clash over the interpretation of the milestone itself. → Read More
Collision point: U.S. forces in strategic Syrian town stand in path of Turkish offensive
A slow-motion train wreck between two NATO allies could reach the collision point at this strategically critical, ethnically mixed city, as Turkish forces consolidate their victory in the Syrian border town of Afrin over local Kurdish forces 90 miles to the east and U.S. troops stand by their own Kurdish allies in Manbij. → Read More
Abdel Fattah el-Sissi: Egypt hopes in Sinai Peninsula, troubled by swap talk
The Egyptian government would face backlash if president Abdel Fattah el-Sissi agrees to a rumored American Arab-Israeli peace plan that would ask Cairo to give up some of the Sinai Peninsula as a new homeland for Palestinians. → Read More
Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi fuels Egypt election boycott despite expected cakewalk
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's purge of his leading rivals ahead of the country's election next month looks like a Middle Eastern autocrat's standard move, but it has watchers puzzled: The former army general is sidelining opponents and fueling a boycott of the vote while polls say he has deep popular support and would win a free and fair election in a walk. → Read More
Egyptian presidential challengers fall by wayside as el-Sissi seeks new mandate
Egypt’s presidential election scheduled for late March has taken on an increasingly authoritarian flavor, as government officials pressure virtually every serious rival to President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to drop out. → Read More
Under pressure, Egypt's suffering Christians reluctantly reject VP Pence as a savior
'Where are you guys? Muslim students are noticing you aren’t joining in': How Trump's Jerusalem move put Egypt's Christians, already under jihadist attack, on the defensive about their loyalties, while VP Pence, 'champion' of Christians, won't be meeting them → Read More
Archaeologists say rebuilding Jonah’s mosque should wait
(RNS) — Now that ISIS has been driven from Mosul in Iraq, Muslim traditionalists say it is imperative to start reconstructing the Mosque of the Prophet Jonah, which had marked the site since the 12th century, along with the ruins of a seventh-century Christian church. → Read More
Unrelenting killing of Coptic Christians intensifies debate over martyrdom
CAIRO (RNS) — 'We need to stop viewing this harassment toward us with pride and saying terrorism gives us a chance to play the same role our ancestors did like in those Sunday school stories about the torture of martyrs,' said Bassem Al-Janoubie, an Egyptian Coptic Christian. → Read More
Egypt hopes Luxor discovery will save tourism industry
A series of stunning archaeological discoveries from the days of Egypt’s ancient glory are giving hope to those who depend on foreign visitors to make a living. → Read More
In a bid to promote diversity, Egypt plans to restore Alexandria synagogue
ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (RNS) — Minister of Antiquities Khaled El-Enany announced his agency would fund the restoration of the Prophet Elijah Synagogue. → Read More