Washington Watch Articles From 2001
THE JEFFORDS’ SWITCH
Taking advantage of the last few days of Republican control of both houses of Congress, President George W. Bush passed a reduced version of his tax cut proposal last week.
IBRAHIM ABU LUGHOD:A PALESTINIAN
Dr. Ibrahim Abu Lughod died in Palestine last week. Much will be and should be written about the man. He was a great leader, literally one of the fathers of Arab American activism.
ISRAELI ATTITUDES TOWARDS SHARON, ISRAEL, ARABS AND PEACE
Months of sustained conflict have deepened the rift between Israel’s Arab and Jewish citizens and intensified the political malaise felt by Israelis in general.
NEW QUESTIONS ABOUT FEITH
Just one month ago, I wrote about President Bush’s nomination of Douglas Feith to the position of Undersecretary of Policy at the Department of Defense (DOD/Pentagon).
A GREAT IDEA
Four years ago, Ed Gabriel had a great idea. He wanted Arab Americans to create an award that recognized individuals and institutions for their contributions and service to humanity.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN THE ARAB WORLD: A FRANK ASSESSMENT
A new poll released in Cairo and New York last week provides an honest and yet somewhat optimistic view of the state of information technology (IT) in today’s Arab world.
JIMMY CARTER: OUR GREATEST EX-PRESIDENT
When American Presidents leave office, the battle for their legacy begins. Historians debate their contributions, reporters examine their records and the public weighs their memories.
A DANGEROUS APPOINTMENT
Douglas J. Feith has been appointed Undersecretary of Policy at the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).
A TOUGH WEEK FOR A NEW PRESIDENT
This was a difficult week for President George W. Bush. On the domestic front the President lost two important votes in the U.S. Senate, while confronting his first major foreign policy challenge with China.
MUBARAK’S VISIT
Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak wades into troubled waters when he visits Washington this week.
SHARON COMES TO WASHINGTON
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon left Washington feeling somewhat satisfied and emboldened. The goals he had set for the visit had been modest.
HOOF AND MOUTH DISEASE AND THE BRITISH-IRISH CONFLICT
It was the first day of my recent visit to Ireland. As I entered the front door of a newspaper shop in Dublin, the radio was blaring. What I heard startled me.
THE ENDLESS ELECTION
It feels like the 2000 elections have just ended and already Republicans and Democrats are engaged in battles on several electoral fronts.
IMMIGRANTS MAINTAINING THEIR TIES
A few weeks ago a Lebanese daily newspaper published a wonderful two page feature story on the Zogbys of Kufr’tieh.
POWELL’S VISIT AND THE TWO MIDDLE EAST CONFLICTS
It is difficult not to be impressed by Secretary of State Colin Powell. Even his critics acknowledge his hard work, his discipline and his loyal service to America.
THE BUSH-CLINTON TRANSITION CONTINUES
Washington is experiencing an unusual drama. While a new president is attempting to find his footing and present his agenda before the American people, an ex-president remains in the spotlight, relentlessly attacked by his former foes.
WHY SHARON WON AND WHAT’S NEXT
Most U.S. editorial writers and political commentators offered an easy answer to explain why Israelis elected Ariel Sharon as Prime Minister. It was Yasser Arafat’s fault.
ISRAELI VOTERS AND PEACE
Unless Ehud Barak can perform a miracle, Ariel Sharon will be elected the Prime Minister of Israel on February 6, 2001. According to a February 1st Zogby International poll, Sharon was leading Barak by a margin of 60% to 34%.
CLINTON’S LEGACY
I say, give the man his due. In recent weeks, Arab disappointment with President Clinton’s last ditch peace making effort has prompted a loud chorus of bitter attacks.