by Shaher Shaher * Arab countries need Chinese investments with high added value, not only to obtain natural resources of global value in terms of manufacturing and logistical services, but also to link the region to each other, to its surroundings in Africa and Europe, and in Asia, which is led by China today. The Read more
Continue Readingby Ahmed E. Souaiaia* Syrians as refugees because of this level of destruction of their cities Politics is the art of compromise. Successful politicians rarely give ultimatums because doing so would limit their ability to navigate complex issues. In 2012, President Obama underestimated the complexity of the crisis in Syria. He drew a “red Read more
Continue ReadingBy Islam Sakka* Watching the latest videos posted by the Islamic State in Syria and the Levant (ISIL, or ISIS, IS), it is easy to see the changes in cinematic technique and the group’s choice of English as the main language. Their latest video, showing Jordanian pilot Moaz Kasasbeh being burned alive, sets a new Read more
Continue Readingby Ahmed E. Souaiaia* On the eve of the Republicans’ takeover of the U.S. Senate and increased control of the House, the Wall Street Journal revealed, on the authority of anonymous sources, that President Obama had sent “secret letter” to the leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Iran took its time confirming it Read more
Continue Readingby Ahmed E. Souaiaia* ISIL is a global threat but it is a bigger threat to the Middle East than to U.S. homeland. It is a bigger threat to Muslims than to Americans because, until now, the absolute majority of victims are Muslims. The U.S. could be part of a coalition that should combat ISIL Read more
Continue Readingby David Palumbo-Liu* Knowing how public I’ve been in support of the call for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctionsagainst the state of Israel, a Jewish colleague came up to me on campus one day to talk. “I know why I’m obsessed with Jews,” he said, “But why are you?” I could hear both puzzlement and pain Read more
Continue Readingby Tarek Al-Abed On May 7, Syria’s Daraa province witnessed three events. First, battles broke out in the western countryside and militants started advancing toward the province. Second, a march was staged in support of the regime, near the location where armed confrontations were underway. Third, tension between Jabhat al-Nusra and other armed groups escalated Read more
Continue Readingby Ahmed E. Souaiaia* Algeria was destined to become an African powerhouse. The largest country in the continent, it is populated by only 39 million people but endowed with huge natural resources: 159 trillion cubic feet (tcf) and 12.2 billion barrels of proven natural gas and oil reserves, respectively, and vast expanses of land, Read more
Continue Readingby Ahmed E. Souaiaia* President Obama On the same day when Saudi Arabia issued a royal decreecriminalizing Saudi citizens’ participation in the war in Syria (or joining Jihadi groups), the White House confirmed that President Obama will be visiting the Kingdom in March. It seems a reasonable assumption that during this visit, Obama will Read more
Continue ReadingBreaking the Cycle: Could Iranian and U.S. officials overcome their mutual distrust? by Ahmed E. Souaiaia* Rafsanjani and Khatami After inking an interim agreement at the end of 2013, Iran and the P5+1 must now finalize a final nuclear agreement within six months. If they fail, U.S. and Iran will relive the cycle of mutual Read more
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