Middle East Politics

Livni: Israel Must Give Up Land To Remain Jewish, Democratic

Haaretz | Raphael Ahren | Posted 03.19.2009 | World


"I do believe Israel is fighting for existence not only because it's the only democracy in the Middle East, but also because it's the only Jewish stat...

Notes on the Iran/Persia Conflict: A Travelogue -- Part Five

Eric Lurio | Posted 03.19.2009 | World


Eric Lurio

In the year 185 BC, the Pharaoh Chaonnophris was captured by the forces of Ptolemy V, ending the last Egyptian state to be actually ruled by Egyptians for over two thousand years.

Notes on the Iran/Persia Conflict: A Travelogue -- Part Three

Eric Lurio | Posted 03.12.2009 | World


Eric Lurio

When people think of Iran, they think of evil Ayatollahs with nukes, when people think of Persia, they think of a lost world of biblical mystery.

Israel's Election: HuffPost Contributors Have Their Say

Huffington Post | HuffPost Contributors | Posted 03.12.2009 | World


Israelis head to the polls tomorrow, February 10, to vote in a new government. Huffington Post contributors from Israel to Ramallah to DC have shared ...

Iran And The Future Of Afghanistan

Council on Foregin Relations | Greg Bruno and Lionel Beehner | Posted 03.09.2009 | World


In crafting a new approach to the war in Afghanistan, U.S. military and political leaders say Iran-once dubbed a member of the "axis of evil" by ...

Waltz with Bashir, Gaza, and the Post-Moral World

Bradley Burston | Posted 03.07.2009 | World


Bradley Burston

Perhaps its time we surrendered to what we know to be true, Arab and Jew both: The leaders on both sides lie. That is their job. They resort to war to protect the lies.

Notes on the Iran/Persia Conflict: A Travelogue -- Part Two

Eric Lurio | Posted 03.07.2009 | World


Eric Lurio

Palace museums aside, everything is up to date in Tehran. McDonalds is nowhere to be seen, but a trip to the shopping mall shows that underneath officially required outerwear, women like sexy.

Iran: Strategy and Tactics

Richard Klass | Posted 03.04.2009 | Politics


Richard Klass

Iraq, Israel-Syria talks, Gaza and Lebanon all affect and are affected by the US-Iran imbroglio. The Middle East is one of the most interwoven political webs on the globe.

Notes on the Iran/Persia Conflict: A Travelogue -- Part One: "Tourist" is not a Dirty Word.

Eric Lurio | Posted 03.04.2009 | World


Eric Lurio

Let's discuss why anyone in their right mind would travel half way around the world and back and spend a quarter-year's salary (minimum wage) to go to Iran for two weeks.

Keeping Civilians Away From Violence

Daoud Kuttab | Posted 03.02.2009 | World


Daoud Kuttab

Israel's latest assault on Gaza showed a very weak attempt at avoiding civilian deaths and injuries or the destruction of infrastructure. Similarly, Hamas rockets showed lack of concern for Israeli civilians.

17 things to do in 30 seconds

Omri Marcus | Posted 02.11.2009 | World


Omri Marcus

Thanks to the advanced technology being used by the IDF, people living within range of Hamas missiles can now stop worrying about being surprised by a...

US Foreign Policy in the Middle East: Thoughts for Change

Dr. Rachel Ehrenfeld and B. Wayne Quist | Posted 02.02.2009 | World


Dr. Rachel Ehrenfeld and B. Wayne Quist

The Saudis are increasingly turning to Russia and China as their new oil and gas partners, dumping longstanding relationships with once-favored American oil companies.

Israel: Attacks on Gaza will Likely Backfire

John Bruhns | Posted 02.02.2009 | World


John Bruhns

If you're a civilian living in Gaza and an Israeli missile strikes your home killing your loved ones what are you to do? . Chances are you're going to take up arms and attack anyone and everyone you feel is responsible for the death of your family.

Gaza Crisis Proves Need for Better Relations with Iran

Robert Naiman | Posted 01.31.2009 | World


Robert Naiman

If the US had working relations with Iran, Iran could use its "good offices" with Hamas to help quickly bring about a "durable and sustainable" ceasefire, ending the assaults on Gaza.

Rockets And Retaliation: Who Will Broker The Peace In Gaza?

Diane Tucker | Posted 01.30.2009 | World


Diane Tucker

For nearly twenty years, Aaron David Miller has played a central role in U.S. efforts to broker an Arab-Israeli peace as an advisor to presidents, sec...

Israel and Gaza: Stop the Violence Now!

Patricia DeGennaro | Posted 01.30.2009 | World


Patricia DeGennaro

Israelis and Palestinians have been trying to prove to each other that they can survive never ending violence, an eternal occupation, and a perpetual cycle of denial that the two cannot exist together.

Starving the Murderers

David Suissa | Posted 01.04.2009 | World


David Suissa

When violence strikes, we get angry and make all this noise about our "Global War on Terror," which only feeds into the jihadists' pathology and apocalyptic visions.

Remove Lieberman from all Domestic Security and National Security Roles

Steve Clemons | Posted 12.10.2008 | Politics


Steve Clemons

Lieberman is dangerous on so many levels and hasn't offered any explanation that should make Americans feel comfortable with him as Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security.

In Mideast, Obama Just Needs to Implement Agreements

Daoud Kuttab | Posted 12.06.2008 | Politics


Daoud Kuttab

Barack Obama's success is in reminding Americans and the world of some of the values that the United Stated of America stands for. A government for the people and by the people.

Americans Are Not Racists

Jamal Dajani | Posted 12.06.2008 | Media


Jamal Dajani

As Americans celebrated Obama's victory in Chicago's Grant Park, Arabs, Israelis, and Iranians were sipping on their morning coffee, watching live coverage of Barack Obama's victory speech.

What is Syria Up To?

Howard Schweber | Posted 11.29.2008 | Politics


Howard Schweber

It's a little difficult to put all the pieces together, and it is tempting to fall into one of several made-to-order narratives. Which might, in fact...

Is this Israel's Last Chance for Peace?

Johann Hari | Posted 10.22.2008 | Politics


Johann Hari

The window of opportunity for a two-state peace is closing. Before it jams shut, the Israelis need to hear the plea coming through the checkpoints. Divide the land. Divide it now. Divide it properly.

What the Democrats and the Republicans Won't Talk About: Defeat in the "Greater Mideast"

Kevin Phillips | Posted 10.12.2008 | Politics


Kevin Phillips

The potential embarrassment of the United States -- the curtain that seems to be descending on its fading hegemony -- now extends beyond the older, narrower Middle East .

Could Israeli Muslims Kick-Start An Environmental Movement in the Middle East?

Karin Kloosterman | Posted 09.20.2008 | Green


Karin Kloosterman

I've lived in Israel for almost a decade and was beginning to think that environmentalism in this part of the woods was a Jewish thing. Israel is burs...

Does "Pro-Israel" Mean Anything?

MJ Rosenberg | Posted 08.05.2008 | Politics


MJ Rosenberg

Supporting the status quo on Israel is the path of least resistance. It is easy and risk-free. But it only adds to Israel's security problems -- and America's declining strategic position in the Middle East.