Tag: Middle East

Palestinians

Will Jordan and Egypt Play a Greater Role in Palestinian Affairs in 2013?

Michael Sharnoff

 

jp2Published in Sharnoff’s Global Views on Dec. 31, 2012.

Since the 1993 Oslo Accords, a lasting peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians has remained elusive. The politically correct paradigm proffered by the international community including Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the United States has been two states, two peoples: an independent Palestinian state including the West Bank and Gaza alongside Israel. Continue reading “Will Jordan and Egypt Play a Greater Role in Palestinian Affairs in 2013?” →

Arab League

What Is the Purpose of the Arab League? (Part Two)

Michael Sharnoff

ALThis 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)” →

Links

September 24-30, 2012 Links

Michael Sharnoff

Last week stories you may have missed from the Middle East and beyond:

“Protesters Burn Bangladesh Buddhist Temples” Al-Jazzera
“Qatar Urges ‘Arab Intervention’ in Syria” The Sydney Morning Herald
“Egypt Mulling Qatari Proposal for Arab Intervention in Syria: Morsi Aide” Ahram Online
“Turkey’s Kurdish Calculus” Wall Street Journal
“Israel Finance Minister Says Iran Economy ‘on Verge of Collapse‘” Reuters
“Arab Spring Affects Countries Differently, Says King” Jordan News Agency
“Many Egyptians Fear Morsi May be an Autocratic Leader Who Replaced Another” Washington Post

Uncategorized

Middle East Background Reading

Michael Sharnoff

I would like to share a list of background reading on the modern Middle East. This list is by no means exhaustive, but provides a basic understanding of a very complex and fascinating region. Continue reading “Middle East Background Reading” →

Links

September 5-10, 2012 Links

Michael Sharnoff

I wanted to focus specifically on the recent events in Israel and the West Bank. For economic reasons, most Palestinian protestors are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Salam Fayyad although some have called for President Mahmoud Abbas to step down. Some analysts surmise that the “Arab Spring” has now reached the West Bank. The immediate anger is directed against Palestinian leaders. However it remains to be seen if they can satisfy protestor demands through economic incentives like the Gulf regimes or if they will divert attention toward Israel and incite a third intifada.

“Palestinians Seek to Amend Economic Accord with Israel” Reuters
“We Are Not Scared: Mahmoud Abbas Tries To Quell A Palestinian Arab Spring” IBT
“Fayyad: Protests Prove PA Committed To Freedom of Expression” Ma’an News
“Mofaz: Bi-National State More Threatening Than Iran” The Jerusalem Post
“Palestinian Price Protest Turns Violent in West Bank” Reuters
“Palestinians Blame Israel for Dire Economic Situation in West Bank” Israel Hayom
“Ramallah Protestors Call on Abbas to Resign” Ma’an News

Weekend Thinking

Weekend Thinking: The DNC and West Bank

Michael Sharnoff

The third and final day of the Democratic National Convention concluded yesterday evening with a speech by incumbent President Barack Obama. The economy and job creation were the themes of Obama’s speech along with Vice President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton. More than 20 million Americans are unemployed and more than 40 million rely on Food Stamps. It comes as no surprise that this is the leading  issue for voters. Foreign policy, the war in Afghanistan and the global threat of Al-Qaeda was barely mentioned. Continue reading “Weekend Thinking: The DNC and West Bank” →

Arab League

Arab League Foreign Minister Conference

Michael Sharnoff

Yesterday, the Arab League foreign minister conference in Cairo discussed Palestinian affairs, the Syrian Civil War and Iran.

Al-Quds reports Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas acknowledging that a “Palestinian Spring” is underway. Recently, Palestinians in the West Bank have protested against the Palestinian Authority’s inability to make food and living costs more affordable. Prime Minister Salam Fayyad also weighed in on this issue, asserting that the PA has improved the standard of living in spite of overall Israeli control of the West Bank. Continue reading “Arab League Foreign Minister Conference” →

Uncategorized

New Issue From The Palestine-Israel Journal

Michael Sharnoff

The Palestine-Israel Journal, an independent quarterly publication run by Israelis and Palestinians in Jerusalem, has a new issue which examines the dramatic challenges facing Israeli and Palestinian civil society in 2012.

I am thrilled that my article which explores the role of nonviolent Palestinian third parties as an alternative to Fatah and Hamas is featured in the journal. I will post the full text when it becomes available.