Tag: israel

The Dark Side of the ‘Special Relationship’

A silent battle has been raging right under our noses, a fierce underground struggle pitting the U.S. against one of its closest allies. For all its newsworthiness, the media has barely noticed the story – except when it surfaces, briefly, like a giant fin jutting above the waves. The aggressor in this war is the … Continue reading “The Dark Side of the ‘Special Relationship’”

Rethinking World War III

In 2007, just as the Bush administration was hyping the alleged "threat" from Iran’s ostensible nuclear ambitions – and facing renewed pressure from the Israel lobby to go after Tehran – the CIA issued a National Intelligence Estimate that punctured the War Party’s balloon. The NIE, which represents the considered opinion of all 16 U.S. … Continue reading “Rethinking World War III”

Turkey-Israel Rift Good for Palestine

RAMALLAH – Turkey’s cooling relationship with Israel comes in tandem with its improving relations with the Arab and Muslim world, and this development is expected to impact positively on Palestinian politics. "The Turks appear to be implementing a major policy shift in the region as they look towards the East as a possible alternative to … Continue reading “Turkey-Israel Rift Good for Palestine”

US Berated for Shielding Israel on Gaza Killings

A U.S. decision to stall Security Council action against Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas for war crimes during the 22-day conflict in Gaza last December has come under heavy fire both from inside and outside the United Nations. Addressing the Security Council Wednesday, the chair of the 118-member Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Ambassador Maged … Continue reading “US Berated for Shielding Israel on Gaza Killings”

Security Council Urged to Take Up Gaza War

Pressure has been building on the UN Security Council to address the impact of the Gaza war on civilians in advance of its meeting Wednesday to discuss the Middle East. "The Security Council has a historic opportunity to uphold the principle of civilian protection and promote regional peace," said Steve Crawshaw, UN advocacy director at … Continue reading “Security Council Urged to Take Up Gaza War”

Rift Developing Between PA and Fatah

RAMALLAH – An increasingly isolated and unpopular Palestinian Authority (PA) has again made a 180-degree turn in the Goldstone report fiasco as it tries to fend off mounting criticism from all and sundry, including its own organization. On Sunday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas did a complete about-face over UN-appointed Justice Richard Goldstone’s controversial report on … Continue reading “Rift Developing Between PA and Fatah”

Muslims See Victory at al-Aqsa

EAST JERUSALEM – Clashes between Israeli security forces and protesting Palestinians have subsided as several hundred Muslims agreed to evacuate Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa Mosque following a deal brokered by the Jordanian embassy in Tel Aviv Saturday. But the Islamic Movement, whose members sought to take over the mosque, is at the center of intense controversy. In … Continue reading “Muslims See Victory at al-Aqsa”

US Strategy in Doubt as Abbas Loses Popular Support

Just two months ago, many western commentators were jubilant that Mahmoud Abbas, the U.S.-supported head of both the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the interim Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority (PA), was making a comeback and reducing the influence in Palestinian society of the Islamist movement Hamas. But a series of events in recent weeks has sent … Continue reading “US Strategy in Doubt as Abbas Loses Popular Support”

Unrest Rising Over Goldstone Report

RAMALLAH – The Palestinian Authority (PA) is trying desperately to contain the political fallout following its decision to withdraw support for a UN report into war crimes committed in Gaza in December and January. The UN Security Council had been due to vote last Friday on a resolution that would have condemned Israel’s failure to … Continue reading “Unrest Rising Over Goldstone Report”

Mideast ‘Peace Partners’ Finally Taking Off Their Gloves

JERUSALEM — Amazingly, just when all four parties — the U.S., its allies in the Arab world, the Palestinian Authority, and Israel — seemed to have hit rock bottom in terms of the prospects of moving the region away from conflict and towards peace, all of a sudden everything seems to be pointing in the … Continue reading “Mideast ‘Peace Partners’ Finally Taking Off Their Gloves”