A recent Haaretz expose describes abuse of Palestinians by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip in December and January. The article bases the claims on the accounts of soldiers regarding their experiences in the territories. A New York Times story outlines the potential isolation of Israel due to the recent Gaza offensive and the accession […]
Jehan Sadat answers questions for Deborah Solomon in the Sunday Times. I don’t know how enthusiastic I would be about taking her course on the status of women in the Middle East after reading it.
Lebanon’s June elections are shaping up to be a referendum on who the Lebanese people want to meddle in their affairs less: “Our course is justice, independence, freedom, sovereignty and most importantly — Lebanon first,” Hariri told AFP in an interview, referring to his coalition backed by the West as well as Saudi Arabia and […]
The Israeli government declared an uncompromising stance yesterday regarding negotiations to free abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shilat in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. PM Ehud Olmert stated that certain Hamas demands would “cross a red line,” effectively ending the most recent efforts to ensure Shalit’s release. Hamas finger-pointed blame for failure in the […]
Khouri’s op-ed in the Middle East Times cautions against seeing the US’/Britain’s/et cetera’s choices to engage governments like the al Asad regime in Syria or the Iranian theocracy as necessarily evidence of a shift in viewpoints. Isolation was not really getting the West anywhere it wanted to go, so reversing that policy isn’t necessarily a […]
With the new American administration, the global financial crisis, and the intra regional wranglings much is happening in the broader Middle East. The very presence of Israel within the region remains a major problem for some. Lebanon tries hard to be an independent state; as much as it can in the regional and international context. […]
The possible agreement between Israel and Hamas for the release of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit may have derailed negotiations. Hamas may toughen its stance due to confirmation of the immense domestic pressure in Israel to ensure Shalit’s return, thereby weakening the government’s hand. Moreover, with PM Ehud Olmert nearing the culmination of his term, many […]
There has been a lot of chatter lately regarding Hizballah’s relationship to the West. The Lebanese political/social/guerrilla group has been meeting with British officials for the past two years. Such meetings have led people to suspect a possible thawing in the relations between the United States and Hizballah, an idea that the U.S. is quick […]
With Prime Minister Ehud Olmert reaching his final moments in office, he set a deadline for the release of abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit for yesterday while his envoys to negotiations with Hamas in Cairo attempt to hammer out the final prisoner swap deal. Hamas originally requested over 1000 soldiers for Shalit and Syrian President […]
The Lebanese Embassy in Damascus opened today. What does that mean in practical terms? Not much if Syria continues to meddle in Lebanon’s internal affairs. Time will tell if the exchange of diplomats is more than a (short lived) PR stunt.
Nine NATO countries intend on attempting to thwart weapons shipments into the Gaza Strip through interceptions at sea, political pressure, and information sharing. While one diplomat stated that force would not be used, the program calls for possible boarding, searching, and seizing of naval vessels.
Democracy activist Mustafa Barghouti released his latest op-ed delineating multiple ways that the United States can advocate peace between Israel and the Palestinians. I agree with some of his points and staunchly disagree with others. You be the judge.
Israel’s lead negotiatior with Hamas over the prisoner swap deal, Ofer Dekel, returned to Israel and may have secured the basis for a deal for the release of abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for 450 Hamas prisoners currently held in Israel. The sticking-point on the negotiations reamins whether to deport some of the […]
Some unabashedly pro-Israel proponents in Washington successfully orchestrated a multi-pronged defense of their own interests through a 21st century witch hunt while, with the same strike, potentially weakening the security of the United States. Since the publication of President Barack Obama’s intention of appointing Ambassador Charles ‘Chas’ Freeman to head the National Intelligence Council, pro-Israel […]
Even though the United States pledged $900 million for Gaza reconstruction and to assist the Palestinian Authority, Congress may not approve the funding unless its recipients acknowledge Israel’s right to exist, a valid concern if Fatah and Hamas reunite. Palestinian reconcilliation talks are “60-percent” complete and may conclude by next Wednesday. Dr. Yasser Al Wadeya, […]