Nine NATO countries intend on attempting to thwart weapons shipments into the Gaza Strip through interceptions at sea, political pressure, and information sharing. While one diplomat stated that force would not be used, the program calls for possible boarding, searching, and seizing of naval vessels.
Democracy activist Mustafa Barghouti released his latest op-ed delineating multiple ways that the United States can advocate peace between Israel and the Palestinians. I agree with some of his points and staunchly disagree with others. You be the judge.
Israel’s lead negotiatior with Hamas over the prisoner swap deal, Ofer Dekel, returned to Israel and may have secured the basis for a deal for the release of abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for 450 Hamas prisoners currently held in Israel. The sticking-point on the negotiations reamins whether to deport some of the […]
Some unabashedly pro-Israel proponents in Washington successfully orchestrated a multi-pronged defense of their own interests through a 21st century witch hunt while, with the same strike, potentially weakening the security of the United States. Since the publication of President Barack Obama’s intention of appointing Ambassador Charles ‘Chas’ Freeman to head the National Intelligence Council, pro-Israel […]
Even though the United States pledged $900 million for Gaza reconstruction and to assist the Palestinian Authority, Congress may not approve the funding unless its recipients acknowledge Israel’s right to exist, a valid concern if Fatah and Hamas reunite. Palestinian reconcilliation talks are “60-percent” complete and may conclude by next Wednesday. Dr. Yasser Al Wadeya, […]
Spencer Ackerman critiques the equation of counterinsurgency with the progressive agenda in Democracy‘s Spring 09 issue. His point – that the military should not be a political organization, and that military strategy and a political agenda (whether progressivism, conservativism, or whatever) should be disaggregated in order for the military to do its job is well […]
At a press conference yesterday, the Bank of Israel released its policy to mitigate the effects of the global financial crisis on Israel. Bank officials stated that its impossible to reverse the effects of the recession, but only prevent it from worsening. Officials estimated that unemployment would top 8-percent and GDP will drop 1.5-percent. In […]
Nathan Field (of FPA’s Egypt blog) and Ahmed Hamem have a piece in this month’s Arab Reform Bulletin arguing that while there is no guarantee that inviting Islamist parties into politics will make them moderate, the inverse appears to be true. That is, excluding Islamist parties from politics, at least in Egypt, seems to have […]
The new Carnegie report describes European initiatives and priorities towards the Middle East, placing an emphasis on the need to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict first. The report emphasizes the need to pursue the process and ideas from the Annapolis summit, improve conditions in the territories, enhance the security situation, and bolster democratic efforts.
Palestinian faction reconciliation talks resumed in Cairo with meetings of five committees to negotiate details between Hamas and Fatah. The talks will continue for ten days and may result in an agreement, the chances of which bolstered following the past weekend’s resignation of pro-Western Palestinian Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad. Turkish officials declared the need to […]
Iraqi women continue to struggle to access basic services despite a drop in violence in their country; Oxfam released a report on their condition yesterday, on International Women’s Day, presumably to underline the irony of the so-called liberation of Iraq. They are not alone in facing gender-based discrimination and other challenges.
Am I the only one who did not know that Barbie’s birthday and International Women’s Day were both on March 8th? It’s so absurd it could only be true. In honor, the Times has a lovely piece on Barbie in Iran. And, dated but still interesting, Katherine Zoepf’s coverage of the doll pictured below, Fulla.
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