Ramzy Baroud

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”

I visited Iraq in 1999. At the time, there were no so-called “jihadis” espousing the principles of “jihadism”, whatever the interpretation may be. On the outskirts of Baghdad was a military training camp, not for “al-Qaeda”, but for “Mojahedin-e-Khalq”, an Iranian militant exile group that worked, with foreign funding and arms, to overthrow the Iranian … Continue reading “From Nice to the Middle East: The Only Way To Challenge ISIS”

Last year, I wrote an article that made many readers unhappy. As soon as it was published, I began receiving messages of abuse and angry, threatening calls. I hesitated about reporting the threats to the local police in Washington State and, in the end, I resolved to file the unpleasant experience under a burgeoning folder … Continue reading “Being Black Palestinian: Solidarity as a Welcome Pathology”

Hyped emotions, and political opportunism aside, the Israel-Turkey normalization deal, signed on June 27 is unfavorable for Palestinians – and for Gazans, in particular. There is much that is being said to blame Turkey or placate the damage of seeing Turkey – which has for years been one of the most visible backers of Palestinian … Continue reading “People Above Politics: Political Deal Will Not Hamper the Turkish-Palestinian Bond”

After months of anticipation, the United Kingdom has decided to leave the European Union (EU). Although, the results were fairly close – 51.9% voted to “Leave” vs. 48.1% elected to “Remain” – the consequences of the decision will be far-reaching. Not only will the Brits negotiate their exit from the EU (thus, the term “Brexit”) … Continue reading “Searching for a ‘Responsible Adult’: Is Brexit Good for Israel?”

Entire communities in the West Bank either have no access to water or have had their water supply reduced almost by half. This alarming development has been taking place for weeks, since Israel’s national water company, “Mekorot”, decided to cut off – or significantly reduce – its water supply to Jenin, Salfit, and many villages … Continue reading “Palestine’s ‘Prayer for Rain’: How Israel Uses Water as a Weapon of War”