Int. Relations

“When diplomacy ends, War begins.” Adolf Hitler

 Common Ground News Service

Why Egypt’s Faith Should Hold no Fear For the U.S.

Why Egypt’s Faith Should Hold no Fear For the U.S.

DALIA MOGAHED: The majority of Egyptians want democracy and see no contradiction between the change they seek and the values to which they surrender.

 The Moor Next Door

Why the West Supports Autocracy & Democracy

Why the West Supports Autocracy & Democracy

TMND: The dominant official American attitude toward democratic reform in Egypt is concerned with the possibility that the Muslim Brothers might sweep the polls.

 Naseem Tarawnah

Jordan ‘Uneasy’ On Palestine Papers Revelations

Jordan ‘Uneasy’ On Palestine Papers Revelations

NASEEM TARAWNAH: The Palestine Papers may not reveal earth-shattering facts, they have, though, given us insights into the main characters.

 Crossroads Arabia

“Après Moi, le Déluge.” What lies post Mubarak?

“Après Moi, le Déluge.” What lies post Mubarak?

CROSSROADS ARABIA: The big question, of course, is ‘After Mubarak, what?’ I’m sure Mubarak feels, as did Louis XV, Après moi, le déluge.

 Osama Al Sharif

The Palestine Papers and the Dilemma of Peace Talks

The Palestine Papers and the Dilemma of Peace Talks

OSAMA AL SHARIF: The documents underline an important fact; the Palestinian leadership today has one goal in mind – to reach a deal with Israel at any price.

 Mondoweiss

Why Obama has an Obligation to Confront Israel

Why Obama has an Obligation to Confront Israel

PHILIP WEISS: The Goldstone Report lays bare the humiliations of the Gaza people. By failing to deal with this issue Obama is failing in his constitutional duty.

 Hisham Wyne

Tunisia is a Wake Up Call, but for the Pundits

Tunisia is a Wake Up Call, but for the Pundits

HISHAM WYNE: Tunisa’s revolution has little to do with the ideals of democracy. It’s a simple cry for better quality of life.

 Osama Al Sharif

Sudan: How the South was Lost

Sudan: How the South was Lost

OSAMA AL SHARIF: The modern history of Sudan is dominated by immature political and religious agendas that ignored the country’s racial, religious and economic complexities.

 Sultan Al Qassemi

President Obama, It’s Time for a Rethink…

President Obama, It’s Time for a Rethink…

SULTAN AL QASSEMI: It’s high time for fresh faces and fresh ideas from the White House to deal with outdated policies that have failed in effecting genuine change.

 Carol Daniel Kasbari

Hope: Thoughts of a Middle East Mediator

Hope: Thoughts of a Middle East Mediator

CAROL DANIEL KASBARI: The fears on both sides are similar – loss of identity, threat of physical harm , a worry the ‘other side’ wants to throw them into the sea.

 Ramzy Baroud

Declaration of Palestine: Revisiting Hope & Failure

Declaration of Palestine: Revisiting Hope & Failure

RAMZY BAROUD: The Palestinian leadership needs to embrace partners of old, from the time before Oslo, the “peace process”, the Roadmap and all the other broken promises…

 Sara Reef

…And Our Survey Says: It’s Good to Talk

…And Our Survey Says: It’s Good to Talk

SARA REEF: A major survey conducted across 55 countries to test the state of relations between the Muslim world and the West…

 Michael J. Totten

Conspiracy, Stupidity Hovers over Iran, Egypt

Conspiracy, Stupidity Hovers over Iran, Egypt

MICHAEL J. TOTTEN: There’s nothing the Israelis can do to appease this stupidity. They are hated in part because the people who hate them are mad.

 Osama Al Sharif

Religious Strife, a Huge Win for Arab Enemies

Religious Strife, a Huge Win for Arab Enemies

OSAMA AL SHARIF: Christians are not the only victims of sectarian terror: Mosques, shrines, religious parades have been targeted indiscriminately, affecting Sunnis, Shias and other sects…

 Juan Cole

Top 10 Middle East Challenges for U.S. Policy, 2011

Top 10 Middle East Challenges for U.S. Policy, 2011

JUAN COLE: The Obama administration has been successful in tightening the financial noose on Iran during 2010, but Iran could fight back like a cornered rat…

 Ramzy Baroud

Hope in 2011: People and Civil Society Stand Tall

Hope in 2011: People and Civil Society Stand Tall

When the Iraqi army fell before invading US and British troops in 2003, the latter’s mission seemed to be accomplished. But nearly eight years after the start of a war intended to shock and awe a whole population into submission, the Iraqi people continue to stand tall. They have confronted and rejected foreign occupations, held […]

 Osama Al Sharif

2010: a Year of Failings and Frustrations

2010: a Year of Failings and Frustrations

OSAMA AL SHARIF: 2010 has established that the region has failed to learn from its past. Failing to resolve conflicts does not mean that they simply go away.

 Michael J. Totten

Wikileaks: History Lessons for the Stupid

Wikileaks: History Lessons for the Stupid

MICHAEL J. TOTTEN: Surely somewhere there’d be references to a war for oil in Iraq if the war was, in fact, about oil.

 Prince El Hassan bin Talal

Looking Back on ‘the Year that Was’ in the Middle East

Looking Back on ‘the Year that Was’ in the Middle East

HRH PRINCE EL HASSAN BIN TALAL: It was a year which began with much promise and, whisper it, hope around the Middle East. It ends, however, with feelings that are all too familiar…

 David Roberts

Arabian Gulf vs. Persian Gulf – Google’s Match Report

Arabian Gulf vs. Persian Gulf – Google’s Match Report

DAVID ROBERTS: I looked first, sorry my angry Iranian friends, for Persian Gulf and Arabian Gulf. Though you easily irascible fellows ought to be pleased…