Fighting for Survival in the Sinai

Sinai is both heaven and hell. This triangular desert boasts an arid landscape of hopeless horizons often interrupted by leftover military hardware from previous wars. The land is comprised of breathtaking beaches, incredible history, and a fusion of fascinating cultures that reach back into the past as far as ancient times can possibly go. This … Continue reading “Fighting for Survival in the Sinai”

Britain’s Phantoms of the Past in Palestine

It would be intellectually dishonest to reflect on the British House of Commons’ vote of October 13, on a Palestinian state without digging deeper into history. Regardless of the meaning of the non-binding motion, the parliamentary action cannot be brushed off as just another would-be country to recognize Palestine, as was the Swedish government’s decision … Continue reading “Britain’s Phantoms of the Past in Palestine”

The Missing Context: ‘Islamic State’ Sectarianism Is Not Coincidental

Consider this comical scene described by Peter Van Buren, a former US diplomat, who was deployed to Iraq on a 12-month assignment in 2009-10: Van Buren led two Department of State teams assigned with the abstract mission of the "reconstruction" of Iraq, which was destroyed in the US-led wars and sanctions. He describes the reconstruction … Continue reading “The Missing Context: ‘Islamic State’ Sectarianism Is Not Coincidental”

What if ISIS Didn’t Exist?

What if the so-called Islamic State (IS) didn’t exist? In order to answer this question, one has to liberate the argument from its geopolitical and ideological confines. Flexible Language Many in the media (Western, Arab, etc.) use the reference "Islamist" to brand any movement at all whether it be political, militant or even charity-focused. If … Continue reading “What if ISIS Didn’t Exist?”

Convenient Genocide: Another Failed War to Rearrange the Middle East

A few months ago, not many Americans, in fact Europeans as well, knew that a Yazidi sect in fact existed in northwest Iraq. Even in the Middle East itself, the Yazidis and their way of life have been an enigma, shrouded by mystery and mostly grasped through stereotypes and fictitious evidence. Yet in no time, … Continue reading “Convenient Genocide: Another Failed War to Rearrange the Middle East”

Winners and Losers in Gaza: On Victory and False Victory

In the rush to analyze the outcome of Israel’s 51-day war in Gaza, dubbed Operation Protective Edge, some may have neglected an important factor: this was not a war by traditional definitions of warfare, thus the conventional analyses of victory and defeat is simply not applicable. That being the case, how can we explain Israeli … Continue reading “Winners and Losers in Gaza: On Victory and False Victory”

Fearing Political Islam: Why Arabs Betrayed Gaza

Ask any Arab ruler, and they will tell you of the great sacrifices their countries have made for Palestine and the Palestinians. However, both history and present reality are testaments, not only to Arab failure to live up to the role expected of them and stand in solidarity with their own oppressed brethren, but also … Continue reading “Fearing Political Islam: Why Arabs Betrayed Gaza”

Uphill Task for Israel’s Apologists

After every bloody episode of violence perpetrated by Israel, media spin doctors are deployed with one grand mission: Absolve Israel of any responsibility in its acts of carnage. These apologists not only demonize Palestinians, but also anyone who dares to take a stand on their behalf. The main staple of this Israeli strategy is blaming … Continue reading “Uphill Task for Israel’s Apologists”

Obama’s Failure and Richard Perle’s Whitewashing of the Iraq War

As Iraq stands on the verge of a complete breakdown into mini sectarian states, former leading neoconservative and Iraq war advocate Richard Perle made a sudden appearance on Newsmax TV. His statements in the interview were yet another testament to the intellectual degeneration of a group that had once promised a "new Middle East," only … Continue reading “Obama’s Failure and Richard Perle’s Whitewashing of the Iraq War”

Reverting to the Ummah: Who Is the ‘Angry Muslim’ and Why

"Brother, brother," a young man called on me as I hurriedly left a lecture hall in some community center in Durban, South Africa. This happened at the height of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, when all efforts at stopping the ferocious US-western military drives against these two countries terribly failed. The young man was dressed … Continue reading “Reverting to the Ummah: Who Is the ‘Angry Muslim’ and Why”