History and Politics of the Modern Middle East
Published in the Washington Post.
They have acted in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative, also known as the Saudi peace plan, which called on the Arab League to terminate belligerency with Israel. It also envisioned a comprehensive peace agreement with Israel in exchange for Israel withdrawing to the June 4, 1967 lines and agreeing to “a just solution to the Palestinian refugee problem” that accorded with “UN General Assembly Resolution 194 while rejecting all forms of patriation.”
This article was published in the Huffington Post on December 27, 2012.
Go here for Part One
Nine months ago, I wrote that the 22 member Arab League and 56 member Organization of Islamic Cooperation demanded a UN (Western) intervention in Syria to protect Syrian civilians against President Bashar al-Assad’s brutal crackdown. Continue reading “What Is the Purpose of the Arab League? (Part Two)”
“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
When I wrote in a previous post that Assad may deploy chemical weapons against the Syrian opposition in revenge for the July 18 bombing in Damascus, it is equally important to emphasize this type of violence could also occur in a post-Assad Syria. Continue reading “Expect More Violence, Not Democracy Transition, In Post-Assad Syria”
Published in the Huffington Post on Mar. 1, 2012.
On February 23, Arab League chief Nabil ElAraby urged the United Nations Security Council to issue a ceasefire in Syria. This appeal comes 11 months after Bashar Assad began his brutal crackdown, which has taken the lives of more than 7,500 civilians.
What then, precisely is the purpose of the Arab League? Formed in 1945, Article II of the Arab League Charter states that its mission is to strengthen ties between member states and “safeguard their independence and sovereignty; and a general concern with the affairs and interests of the Arab countries.” While Articles V and VI stipulate that resorting to force between two or more member-states is prohibited and may lead to suspension from the League, there is no clause specifying appropriate action if a member-state oppresses its citizens. Continue reading “What is the Purpose of the Arab League?”
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”
Michael Sharnoff, PhD 