For those interested in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Corey Gil-Shuster, a Canadian-born peace activist, has done the public a great service. Through his YouTube page, he accepts provocative and inquisitive questions about the conflict, and then goes and interviews random Israelis and Palestinians on their thoughts. Continue reading “Weekend Thinking: Mideast Public Service Announcement”
Month: August 2012
Gaza Millionaires
Journalist and political analyst Khaled Abu Toameh has an interesting article in the Gatestone Institute which partly dispels the notion that the Gaza Strip has faced a humanitarian crisis on par with Equatorial Guinea, Sudan, Somalia, Haiti, North Korea and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Continue reading “Gaza Millionaires”
A Significant Defeat for Moderation and Tolerance
It was announced yesterday that Bitterlemons, an online newsletter which has run for eleven years and has provided unique commentary from Palestinians and Israelis, will cease to operate. Continue reading “A Significant Defeat for Moderation and Tolerance”
August 22-27, 2012 Links
“Attacks Raise Specter of Radical Islam In Russia” NPR
“Settler Violence Against Palestinians Raises Alarm In Israel” Washington Post
“Hamas Declines Invite To Iran Summit, Citing Palestinian Unity” Reuters
“This Week In History: The Arab League’s Three No’s” Jerusalem Post
“Palestinians From Syria Twice Displaced” Voice of America
“Syrian Spillover Violence In Lebanon Rattles Residents” PBS
“France Says It Would Recognize Provisional Syrian Government” New York Times
“Visit By Egypt’s Morsi To Iran Reflects Foreign Policy Shift” Washington Post
Weekend Thinking: Eye on Lebanon
While King Abdullah has managed to prevent the Syrian civil war from destabilizing Jordan, Lebanon, with its fragile government, delicate sectarian balance and history of invasions, wars and occupations, may not be as lucky. Continue reading “Weekend Thinking: Eye on Lebanon”
The Syrian Morality Test
Published in the Huffington Post on Aug. 16, 2012.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which comprises 57 nations and represents Muslims worldwide, has agreed to suspend Syria’s membership for the extreme brutality of Bashar Assad’s regime. Iran, Syria’s sole Middle Eastern ally, rejects the decision. Continue reading “The Syrian Morality Test”
Dajani: The George Washington of Syria
Amjad Dajani writes in a guest column for Levantine Routes
It is without a doubt that we are witnessing history repeat itself. A career military man has rebelled against an army he previously served and founded an army of ragtag revolutionaries to fight against despotism. No, this not a re-telling of George Washington’s revolutionary career against the British but a telling of Riyad al-Assad’s revolt against the Ba’athist Army in Syria. Continue reading “Dajani: The George Washington of Syria”
Morsy Consolidates Power
Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy – who was sworn into office only six weeks ago – has successfully forced Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, Defence Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the Chief of Staff, Sami Anan, into retirement. Continue reading “Morsy Consolidates Power”
Michael Sharnoff, PhD 