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...
‘Islamic State’ Pretense and the Upcoming Wars in Libya
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...
War Begets War Refugees: The Moral Bankruptcy of Italy and NATO
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...
Shifting Priorities: The Rise and Fall of Arab Revolutionary Discourse
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...
The Palestinian Bubble and the Burning of Toddler, Ali Dawabsha
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...
Darker Horizons Ahead: Rethinking the War on ‘IS’
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...
A Chance for Arab-Iranian Reconciliation: An Opportunity in the Iran Nuclear Deal
“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...
Baskin’s Generous Offer: Making Peace With Israeli Occupation
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...
Just Politics: Iran, Like the Rest, Is Not Blameless
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...
The Good, Bad, and Uncertain About Recognizing ‘Palestine’
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...