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 …
Read More »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 — …
Read More »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 …
Read More »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 …
Read More »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 …
Read More »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 …
Read More »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 …
Read More »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 …
Read More »Biden pledges to rebuild Gaza, resupply Israel’s Iron Dome
Biden praises US role in bringing about the cease-fire. The United States will contribute to the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip as part of a policy to prevent further hostilities between Israel and Hamas, President Joe Biden said Thursday. “The United States … remains committed to working with the United …
Read More »Iraqis flood streets in support of Palestinians
A massive protest called by a popular cleric and a conference planned by a political alliance linked to Shiite armed factions bear witness to widespread Iraqi support for the Palestinian cause. After Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and President Barham Salih met May 18 in Baghdad to discuss several issues, …
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