Ramzy Baroud

The crisis of leadership throughout Palestinian history did not start with Mahmoud Abbas and will, regrettably, be unlikely to end with his departure.  Although Abbas has, perhaps, done more damage to the credibility of the Palestinian leadership than any other leader in the past, he is also a byproduct of a process of political fraud … Continue reading “Palestine’s Crisis of Leadership: Did Abbas Destroy Palestinian Democracy?”

Another war is in the making in Libya: the questions are "how" and "when"? While the prospect of another military showdown is unlikely to deliver Libya from its current security upheaval and political conflict, it is likely to change the very nature of conflict in that rich, but divided, Arab country. An important prerequisite to … Continue reading “‘Islamic State’ Pretense and the Upcoming Wars in Libya”

On April 26, 2011, a meeting that can only be described as sinister took place between the then Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, and French President, Nicolas Sarkozy. The most pressing issue discussed at the meeting in Rome was how to deal with African immigrants. Sarkozy, who was under pressure from his right-wing and far-right … Continue reading “War Begets War Refugees: The Moral Bankruptcy of Italy and NATO”

Strange how  intellectual discussion concerning the so-called "Arab Spring" has almost entirely shifted in recent years – from one concerning freedom, justice, democracy and rights in general, into a political wrangle between various antagonist camps. The people, who revolted across various Arab countries are now marginalized in this discussion, and are only used as fodders … Continue reading “Shifting Priorities: The Rise and Fall of Arab Revolutionary Discourse”

One-and-a-half year old Ali Saad Dawabsha became the latest victim of Israeli violence on July 31. He was burnt to death. Other members of his family were also severely burnt in a Jewish settlers’ attack on their home in the village of Duma, near Nablus, in the West Bank. A spokesman for Rabbis for Human … Continue reading “The Palestinian Bubble and the Burning of Toddler, Ali Dawabsha”

As much of the Middle East sinks deeper into division between competing political camps, the so-called "Islamic State" ("IS") continues its unhindered march towards a twisted version of a Muslim caliphate. Many thousands have lost their lives, some in the most torturous ways, so that "IS" may realize its nightmarish dream. Of course, violence meted … Continue reading “Darker Horizons Ahead: Rethinking the War on ‘IS’”

“The Americans have taken the Shia Muslim side in the Middle East’s sectarian war,” declared Robert Fisk in the Independent newspaper on July 15, a day after the US and five major world powers reached a landmark agreement with Iran about its nuclear programs. Fisk’s proclamation is quite cursory. Aside from the fact that he … Continue reading “A Chance for Arab-Iranian Reconciliation: An Opportunity in the Iran Nuclear Deal”

It would be fair to assume that Gershon Baskin’s recent article in the Jerusalem Post – Encountering Peace: Obviously no peace now, so what then? (June 24) – is not a mere intellectual exercise aimed at finding "creative" solutions to the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Baskin is a regular contributor to the Jerusalem Post, a … Continue reading “Baskin’s Generous Offer: Making Peace With Israeli Occupation”

When the United States government declared its war on Afghanistan in October 2001, thus taking the first step in its so-called "war on terror," following the devastating attacks of September 11 earlier that year, Iran jumped on board. Then Iranian President Mohammed Khatami, dubbed a reformist, provided substantial assistance in the US effort aimed at … Continue reading “Just Politics: Iran, Like the Rest, Is Not Blameless”

No matter what Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas does, his popularity is declining. In some ways, Abbas’ threshold for popularity was really never impressive to begin with, a trend that is unlikely to change in the near future. But now that a power struggle in his Fatah party is looming, and his two-decade investment in … Continue reading “The Good, Bad, and Uncertain About Recognizing ‘Palestine’”