Common Ground News Service

The Other Peace Process: The One That’s Alive

KADI ZAHALKA, RABBI DR RON KRONISH: The so-called political peace process has been going nowhere for a long time. There is an alternative

 Rob L. Wagner

Have the ‘Big Boys’ Given Up On Islamic Banking?

Have the ‘Big Boys’ Given Up On Islamic Banking?

ROB L. WAGNER: HSBC’s decision to downgrade significantly the resources it devotes to Islamic banking has thrown the issue into sharp focus.

 Jonathan Cook

Israel: World’s First State Enclosed Within Own Walls, Ethnic Cleansing in Process

Israel: World’s First State Enclosed Within Own Walls, Ethnic Cleansing in Process

JONATHAN COOK: The remaining border, the 260km one with Egypt, is being closed with another wall, gaining impetus with the overthrow of Mubarak

 Juan Cole

Ten Reasons Why ‘Iran Plotter’ is ‘No James Bond’

Ten Reasons Why ‘Iran Plotter’ is ‘No James Bond’

JUAN COLE: He has been presented as the lynchpin of an international conspiracy of stunning complexity. Yet he is almost comically inept – so is Manssor Arabsiar James Bond or Inspector Clouseau?

 James M. Dorsey

Arab Spring First Casualty in New Power Struggle

Arab Spring First Casualty in New Power Struggle

JAMES M. DORSEY: The people power movement has the most to lose and could find itself in the grinder as the United States, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Iran jockey for power.

 Mondoweiss

Some Questions About the ‘Iran Terror Plot’

Some Questions About the ‘Iran Terror Plot’

JASMIN RAMSEY, MONDOWEISS: The mainstream media has worked itself into a collective frenzy about the alleged plot to kill the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the U.S. Questions need to be asked, however.

 Crossroads Arabia

American Politics: The View From Over Here

American Politics: The View From Over Here

CROSSROADS ARABIA: Local commentators are premature in seeing the current debate as a reflection on the issues that will come to the fore in the presidential campaign.

 American Bedu

Now More Than Ever, It’s Time to ‘Reach Out’

Now More Than Ever, It’s Time to ‘Reach Out’

AMERICAN BEDU: With regimes falling, and a new order being created out of disorder, there has never been a better time to promote better understanding across faiths.

 Rob L. Wagner

Saudi Student’s Arrest Will Have Unplanned Repercussions in the U.S.

Saudi Student’s Arrest Will Have Unplanned Repercussions in the U.S.

ROB L. WAGNER: The U.S.’s reaction to Khalid Aldawsari’s terrorism-related charges could play into the hands of conservatives in the Kingdom.

 Bassam Sebti

Al Jazeera Delivers Lesson in Journalism to U.S.

Al Jazeera Delivers Lesson in Journalism to U.S.

BASSAM SEBTI: Shame on CNN, MSNBC and Fox News for intentionally ignoring a gripping event that could directly affect U.S. foreign policy.