The Palestinians recently embarked on another effort to search for a real leader that can unite all factions, work effectively with Israel toward a resolution, and maintain international legitimacy as a pro-democratic figurehead. Although that might be a little too much to ask. The Palestinian Authority announced last week its intention to hold presidential and legislative […]
The latest round of bitterlemons opinions includes a wide array of opinions on the impact of Palestinian reconciliation on the peace process and relations with Israel. Ghassan Khatib’s article describes reconciliation as “against Israel’s interests,” with the author stating: “Israel doesn’t want Palestinian unity, because that would shift the political balance of power more in […]
Check out fellow FPA blogger Sean Murphy’s recent post on a movie regarding the Second Lebanon War. By Sean Patrick Murphy Sunday, October 25 7:34 pm EST In the summer of 2006, southern Lebanon was under a barrage of Israeli firepower. The war was nominally between Israel and Hezbollah operating out of Lebanon. What this film […]
The Washington Post published two somewhat informative interviews today, one with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and the other with Palestinian Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad. The significantly more interesting interview with Fayyad largely deals with his role and his vision for the establishment of institutions for a future Palestinian state. He stresses that Israel had […]
Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman will testify next week before a House subcommittee on the region. Whatever he on Israel and the Palestinians may not make headlines, but watching the webcast may prove insightful to the administration’s views. However, testimony from the White House, which has taken the lead on Israel-Palestine talks, […]
Lebanon has been without a working government since its June parliamentary elections, but now with all the major external hurdles cleared Lebanon looks to within to form its cabinet. Syria and Saudia Arabia hold tremendous influence in Lebanon, and the frosty relations between them were seen as a one of the largest obstacles to Lebanon […]
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas officially called for Parliamentary and presidential elections to be held January 24 of next year, a move rebukes Egyptian efforts to reconcile Palestinian factions. Abbas said: “The Palestinian people in Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are called to take part in the general presidential and parliamentary election on Sunday, […]
During the Iranian presidential elections, Mehdi Karroubi was the long-shot candidate. He was not as well known as his opponents, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Mir-Hossein Mousavi. His reformist credentials were strong, but with Mousavi in the race, reformists already had a leader. His speeches about stronger women’s rights and more individual liberty resonated with many Iranians, […]
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice lauded Israeli President Shimon Peres at a speech today in Jerusalem. Some of the notable comments include: “Meir Dizengoff, the founder of Tel Aviv, was once asked how does one become the Mayor of a city in Israel. He replied, “First, you build the city.” Well, the […]
Iranians have once again taken to the streets in Tehran. But this time, instead of hearing slogans fulminating against the government, you hear people mourning the deaths of their loved ones in Sunday’s suicide attack in southeastern Sistan-Baluchistan. Here is an Al-Jazeera report on how Iranians are coping with the suicide attack that killed at […]
Rep. Robert Wexler, who recently announced a pending resignation to join the Center for Middle East Peace as their new president, expressed support today for President Barack Obama’s approach to the Middle East conflict that includes a broad approach involving the whole Arab world, not just Israel-Palestine. His comments, delivered at the Center for American Progress, […]
In the annual Press Freedom Index by the Reporters Without Border, it is no surprise that Iran ranked as one of the worst countries for journalists. Iran, who was ranked 166th in 2008, has fallen to 172nd this year. The only countries to fare worst than Iran are Turkmenistan (173rd), North Korea (174th) and Eritrea […]
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