Middle Orient

Hamas warns Palestinians: Don’t talk about the sites targeted by Israel

Palestinians were also warned against making statements to “suspicious parties impersonating relief or charitable institutions.” Hamas on Saturday warned Palestinians not to talk about the sites that Israel targeted during the 11-days of fighting.The warning, issued by the Hamas Internal Security Agency (ISA), called on Palestinians to “raise the level …

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Is the Biden Administration an Enemy of Israel and the Free World?

Biden made no distinction between a democratic ally of the United States and a terrorist organization he did not even name. He spoke as if he did not know that the calm was broken by a terrorist organization and by no one else, and that what prevents Palestinians from having …

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Finding Common Ground on U.S. International Religious Freedom Policy

Overcoming partisan mistrust through a focus on bipartisan priorities. On May 12, Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued the Biden administration’s first annual religious freedom report. It was accompanied by a strong speech, highlighting the importance of the issue and singling out countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Russia and …

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Despite the Sham, Syria’s Election is Still Significant

The presidential poll significantly undermines international efforts to resolve the conflict. In the face of international pushback, the Assad regime is going forward with plans for a presidential election on May 26. While the outcome is in no way uncertain — Assad will win amid deeply unfair election practices — …

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10 Steps Washington Can Take After the De-escalation of the War on Gaza

As violence rages on, the Biden administration should reexamine and reprioritize its approach to the conflict. In a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday, President Biden said he was supportive of a cease-fire amid the continued violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories. As ongoing Hamas rocket barrages …

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What Brought Saudi Arabia and Iran to the Negotiating Table

Saudi Arabia and Iran recently confirmed that they are engaging in direct negotiations to lower tensions between the two rivals and eventually normalize diplomatic relations. Officials from both sides are sounding cautiously optimistic about the endeavor. “We have initiated some exploratory talks. They are at a very early stage but …

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Amid U.S.-China Tensions, ‘Dual Loyalty’ Rears Its Ugly Head

On March 16, a 21-year-old white man allegedly went on a violent rampage at three spas in the Atlanta area, fatally shooting eight people—six of them Asian women. Law enforcement officials and some news outlets initially said the motive was “uncertain,” but the Asian American community in Georgia immediately recognized …

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Three Myths About the Laws of War and the Israel-Hamas Conflict

After 11 days of rocket fire and air strikes, a tenuous cease-fire has brought to a close, at least for now, the latest outbreak of violence between the Israeli government and the armed group Hamas in Gaza. As in previous rounds of fighting between them, narratives about which side was …

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The Palestinian National Resistance has won yet again! Israel faces both a military & political defeat

Celebrations have broken out across Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, across all of historic Palestine. Clearly after the 11-day war, the Palestinian Resistance has emerged stronger, with more widespread & greater global support. The struggle of the Palestinian people to safeguard the neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah from ethnic …

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Middle East Peace Plan – Justice to Palestinians and Security for Israel

Letter to President Joseph BidenVice-President Kamala HarrisSecretary of State Tony BlinkenSenate Majority Leader Chuck SchumerSenator Minority leader Mitch McConnelCongressional Majority leader Nancy PelosiCongressional Minority leader Kevin McCarthy It is time we work for the security of Israel and Justice to the Palestinians. We have to take bold steps to bring …

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