Ramzy Baroud

Ban Ki-Moon’s second term as the Secretary General of the United Nations is ending this December. He was the most ideal man for the job as far as the United States and its allies are concerned. Of course, there will always be other Ban Ki-Moons. In fact, the man himself was a modified version of … Continue reading “Ban Ki-Moon’s Legacy in Palestine: Failure in Words and Deeds”

“A photograph, no matter how emotionally wrenching, can only do so much,” wrote Paul Slovic and Nicole Smith Dahmen in QZ.com. The photograph referenced in their comment was that of three-year-old Aylan Kurdi, whose body was washed ashore on some Turkish beach in September 2015. It has been over a year since that tragic photograph … Continue reading “Honoring Aylan Kurdi by Ending the War in Syria”

Division within Palestinian society has reached unprecedented levels, becoming a major hurdle on the path of any unified strategy to end Israel’s violent occupation or to rally Palestinians behind a single objective. Newly-appointed Israeli ultra-nationalist Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman understands this too well. His tactic since his ascension to office last May is centered on … Continue reading “Is Israel Pushing for a Palestinian Civil War?”

The Italian “activist” was keen on that photo, as if her social media activism career was dependent on it. As if the misery of the poor Syrian child was not palpable enough in his dejected face and his rash-infested skin, she wanted to define a point of absolute misery for a perfect Instagram photo. So … Continue reading “Activism’ and Its Consequences: Syrian Refugees Are Not Subjects for a Social Media Gallery”

“You deserve to see your loved ones suffer and die. But, maybe, you would be hurt before them,” was part of a threatening message received by a staff member at “Al-Mezan”, a Gaza-based human rights group. The photo attached to the email was of the exterior of the activist’s home. The gist of the message: … Continue reading “Punishing the Messenger: Israel’s War on NGOs Takes a Worrying Turn”

Everyone seems to have a theory on how to obliterate ISIS, or “Daesh”. However, two points are rarely raised: one, concerning the origins of the group and the second, on whether there are genuine intentions to defeat it, in the first place. We must boldly address the first to unravel the enigma behind the rise … Continue reading “War To ‘Stop’ War: Libya’s ‘Operation Odyssey Lightning’”

Palestine is increasingly absent from Arab consciousness, at least at the official and media levels. For years, the discussion has veered elsewhere, to other regions and various other concerns, as Arab regional alliances are no longer driven by the “question of Palestine.” Whether one blames that neglect on the so-called Arab Spring, or explains it … Continue reading “Of Hajah Zainab – Is Palestine Still the Central Issue for Arabs?”

As Palestinians in the Occupied Territories begin preparations for local elections which are scheduled for October, division and factionalism are rearing their ugly head. Palestinian political platforms and social media are abuzz with self-defeating propaganda: Fatah supporters attacking Hamas’ alleged failures, and Hamas’ supporters doing the same. What is conveniently overlooked by all sides is … Continue reading “Divide and Rule: How Factionalism in Palestine Is Killing Prospects for Freedom”

Donald Trump wants to keep us out of the country altogether.  But Bill Clinton, former president and husband of a Democratic presidential nominee, does not mind us staying, as long as we, Muslims, behave ourselves. Welcome to America where racial profiling is the country’s most popular idea, and where citizenship is now conditioned on blind … Continue reading “To Bill Clinton: On (My) Liberty and (Your) America”

Based on interviews with Palestinian refugees from Syria. The refugee camp of Yarmouk was ever present in his being, pulling him in and out of an abyss of persistent fears that urged him to never return. But what was this refugee without Yarmouk, his first haven, his last earth? How could any other spot in … Continue reading “Farewell to Yarmouk: A Palestinian Refugee’s Journey from Izmir to Greece”