Creating new perspectives since 2009
Items by Dr Fadi Elhusseini
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‘Diplomacy or bias?’ Responding to a former ambassador’s views on the Middle East
Recently, a former ambassador to Israel posted a lengthy message on social media, quickly republished by a pro-Israel website in what appeared to be a coordinated effort. Compelled to respond, I found his message riddled with inaccuracies and lacking basic regional insight, despite his five years in Israel. The ambassador…
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The 21 century genocide: Would wrongdoings be compatible with democracy?
The course of the events taking place in Palestine and on its people is the antitheses of law and freedom. Each and every ‘inalienable’ human right is being violated in Palestine on an hourly basis, minute by minute. They are indeed a plethora of horrific events ravaging Palestine. Perhaps the…
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Israeli madness!
The world is silently watching the unprecedented, brutal Israeli attacks on Gaza and genocide being broadcast live, the premeditated targeting of civilians and massive indiscriminate destruction of infrastructure in Gaza. Despite the large-scale killings, the international community has shown a lack of action. The propaganda promoted by Israel, presenting the…
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Russia is officially in the region as a new order begins
Since the outbreak of the Syrian uprising, Russia at first limited itself to its traditional role of providing arms as well as military and logistical experts to its Arab allies. As President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime weakened in Damascus, the Russians intensified their military support dramatically. Recently, the Russian “tsar” opted…
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As Turkey’s star wanes, others are on the rise
In 2011, Turkey was seen as an unstoppable regional power and a rising star led by its Justice and Development Party (AKP), but the arrival of the Arab Spring heralded a deep change in the Middle East. Turkey’s prominence began to fade and Iran’s potential appeared to be rising with…
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Israel and its allies have three months to act for peace
On 27 August, global headlines splashed on the news that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and nine other top officials had resigned from the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO). Talks about an emergency or a regular session of the Palestine National Council (PNC) followed. Although PNC Chairman Salim…
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Hamas’ diplomatic activism: Modified strategies and new alliances
Many observers saw a potential breakthrough in Tony Blair’s recent meeting with the head of Hamas’ political bureau Khaled Meshaal that may take Hamas out of the bottleneck and lead to a long-term truce between the movement and Israel. Yet, it appears that the crux of the issue surpasses initial…
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The Arab Spring and the rise of non-state actors
In the past four years, Arabs have been living in an endless Sisyphean ordeal, an unexpected nightmare after rising for what they called “the Arab Spring”. The scenario was cloned in most Arab Spring countries. Alas, hopeful revolution turned into belligerence, then into strife followed by a war, as if…
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The Syrian tunnel and the Spring
When the first spontaneous explosions of the Arab democratic revolutions erupted in Tunisia in December 2010, many were hoping that this revolt might usher in a new beginning for the whole region. When Egypt joined Tunisia a few weeks later, hopes mounted and everyone started to think that the long-awaited…
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The Syrian path and the Arab Spring
When the first spontaneous explosions of the Arab democratic revolutions erupted in Tunisia in December 2010, many were hoping that this revolt might usher in a new beginning for the whole region. When Egypt joined Tunisia a few weeks later, hopes mounted and everyone started to think that the long-awaited…
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Israel’s Operation Protective Edge: Why now?
Another Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip; it’s not the first and won’t be the last if the political equation in the region does not change. With the previous offensives launched by Israel on Gaza, several military goals were declared. This time, “Operation Protective Edge” comes within a different…
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The Palestinian National Reconciliation: Regional and International Implications
Palestinian success in burying a seven-year division has surpassed its domestic effects and has, without a doubt, regional and international implications. With the Palestinian unity government, the relationships between the Palestinians and Israelis on one side and the Palestinians, their Arab neighbors and the international community on the other side…
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The gateway to the Middle East and the exchange of roles
After less than a year of exceptional Egyptian-Turkish rapprochement, the events of June 30, 2013 ruptured this relationship. Similarly, when Egyptian and Iranian statesmen began to lower tensions and a thaw in relations resulted, events evolved to return things to square one. As these scenes, by and large, have been…
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Government and opposition need to learn how to be democratic
Over the past few weeks, I have been dismayed by the degree of intolerance and rigidity of the quarrelling parties in Egypt; both have been on the defensive, unwilling to listen to the other. Hearts have hardened and minds have closed, causing further deterioration in the situation. I am not…
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What can we learn from Egypt 2013?
Genuine democracy requires practice and partnership, and cannot be realised without the participation of the people. Mobilising crowds to replace the ballot box is very dangerous because a lust for power and authority can be cast in popular demands and gain pseudo-legitimacy. The coup in Egypt is a case in…
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Another Spring: The Middle East between history of revolts and future geopolitics
Spring is a time for optimism, with the green shoots of summer pushing through after a long winter. Alas, things in the Middle East are now very different. With every new spring that comes, people will recall the outbreak of the Arab Spring that started in Tunisia 2011 and swept…
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The Arab Spring: conspiracies or national will?
Attempts to analyse the Arab Spring revolutions have included suggestions of foreign conspiracies to divide and rule what is left of the Middle East. Others suggest that the revolutions are a long-awaited expression of national pride and dignity and were ignited by domestic forces. I would like to address the…
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The Arab world and democracy
The Arab Spring hit the Middle East to the core but has come unstuck in Syria. Nevertheless, the issue of democracy is now to the fore with demonstrations calling for more freedom and human rights, even though a number of dictators have been toppled. Not surprisingly, the groups who weren’t…
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Invisible strife in a moribund Middle East
In a fractious Middle East that is rife with conflicts nothing is spared; houses of worship are attacked and sports clubs, schools and markets are unsafe thanks to the violence. Now, attention is focused on the Syrian conflict, which has been coloured in a sectarian hue. However, there is another,…
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On Israel’s demand to be recognised as a ‘Jewish State’
While analyses have abounded about the Middle East peace process, including details of the “secret” talks and evaluations of the positions of the negotiating parties, prominent Israeli writers have intensified their efforts to focus on “Israel’s imminent existential threat” with much fanfare. Despite the fact that such writers are not…
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Europe’s chances in the Arab world
Europe was quick in its response to the Arab Spring and adopted a new approach to relations with its Southern neighbours. Nonetheless, despite the great efforts and numerous investments and projects in the region, the perception of the Arab masses has not changed in a way that reflects the deep…