Michael Sharnoff

Published in the Huffington Post on Feb. 22, 2012.

In his 1999 book, The Dream Palace of the Arabs, Middle East scholar Fouad Ajami examines how Arab nationalism — a secular concept which advocates Arab unity via language and culture — not religion — went into decline following the 1967 War, the 1973 War and the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon. In the 1950s and ’60s, the popular, charismatic and gifted orator Gamal Abdel Nasser, guided Arab nationalism. He served as the undisputed leader of the Arab world and inspired a generation of Arabs to believe that unity could be an attainable vision.

After Nasser’s death in 1970, Arabism suffered a major setback, and went into decline. Several self-proclaimed Arab nationalists surfaced including Hafez al-Assad of Syria, Muammar Gaddafi of Libya and Saddam Hussein of Iraq. All vied to be Nasser’s successor as spokesperson for the Arab people, but failed miserably by relying primarily on brute force and oppression. Continue reading “The End of Pan-Arabism Redux” →

Hamas-Fatah

Hamas and Fatah – What is to be Done?

February 22, 2012May 19, 2012 Michael Sharnoff

My first radio appearance on The John Batchelor Show discussing Hamas and Fatah. Fast forward to the end at 30:36.

Jordan

King Abdullah’s Growing Anxiety Over the Two-State Solution

February 15, 2012July 31, 2012 Michael Sharnoff

Published in the Huffington Post on Feb. 15, 2012.

Jordan’s struggle with its political identity is not something new, but the social media, the Arab Spring and stalled Israeli-Palestinian negotiations has revived concerns about Jordan’s future. Jordan ruled the West Bank — territory which the international community now regards as Palestinian — from 1949 to 1967. However, after the 1967 War, the West Bank was referred to in the international press as “occupied Jordan” in the late 60s, 70s, and 80s. This description persisted even in the early 90’s after King Hussein formally renounced ties to this landlocked territory in 1988. Continue reading “King Abdullah’s Growing Anxiety Over the Two-State Solution” →

Hamas

Reflections on a New Hamas Strategy

February 8, 2012July 31, 2012 Michael Sharnoff

Published in the Huffington Post on Feb. 8, 2012.

As I previously noted, a multilateral approach advocated by the Arab Peace Initiative could have the potential to prevent Palestinian unilateralism, which offer no security guarantees to Israel. On February 6, in an effort to unite rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah, Mahmoud Abbas signed a reconciliation agreement with Khaled Meshaal in Doha. The agreement stipulates that Abbas will serve as premier under an interim unity government comprised of technocrats until parliamentary and presidential elections occur in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Continue reading “Reflections on a New Hamas Strategy” →

Arab Peace Initiative

Revisiting the Arab Peace Initiative – A Novel Approach to Failed Talks

February 2, 2012July 31, 2012 Michael Sharnoff

Published in Your Middle East on Feb. 2, 2012.

During the first Palestinian intifada (uprising) against Israel in 1988, renowned scholar and former Israeli intelligence chief Yehoshafat Harkabi argued in his book Israel’s Fateful Hour, that in order for Israel to sustain its majority Jewish and democratic character, Israel’s options were not between good and bad but between bad and worse. Continue reading “Revisiting the Arab Peace Initiative – A Novel Approach to Failed Talks” →

Arab Peace Initiative

Taking Advantage of the Calm Before the Storm

January 31, 2012July 31, 2012 Michael Sharnoff

Published in the Huffington Post on Jan. 31, 2012.

Last week, I asserted that it was unlikely that the Israelis and Palestinians would achieve a diplomatic breakthrough by January 26. The history of failed bilateral negotiations shows that it may be time to try a novel and multilateral approach advocated by the Arab Peace Initiative. Continue reading “Taking Advantage of the Calm Before the Storm” →

Arab Peace Initiative

Reexamining the Arab Peace Initiative

January 24, 2012July 31, 2012 Michael Sharnoff

Published in the Huffington Post on Jan. 24, 2012.

The series of direct talks between Israelis and Palestinians which began in Amman on January 3 are scheduled to end on January 26. While the Middle East Quartet may extend this deadline to continue negotiations, it appears this would have little effect in formulating any comprehensive agreement. Neither side genuinely believes a breakthrough will occur. The PLO has threatened that if Israel does not halt all settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, it would not only abandon diplomacy, but it would pursue “harsh” unilateral measures to gain statehood and recognition. This would include a popular “civil disobedience” aimed at forcing Israel to evacuate from the West Bank. Continue reading “Reexamining the Arab Peace Initiative” →

Jordan

King Abdullah’s Talks With President Obama

January 17, 2012July 31, 2012 Michael Sharnoff

Published in the Huffington Post on Jan. 17, 2012.

A key item on the agenda for Jordanian King Abdullah’s meeting with President Obama on January 17 will be the fate of Israel-Palestinian negotiations. Jordan hosted a series of direct talks between Israel and the PLO which began on January 3. Israeli and Palestinian officials have agreed to conduct a fourth round of talks on January 25 — the day before Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas demanded that Israel freeze all settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and present a framework for a two-state solution. Israel, however, rejects the January 26 ultimatum and argues it has until March to provide a response. Continue reading “King Abdullah’s Talks With President Obama” →