Washington Watch Articles From 2002
THE VISION OF SULIMAN OLAYAN
At a time when the U.S.-Saudi relationship is being challenged and tested, a leader in the effort to build bridges between the United States and the Arab world has passed away.
ACTION, INACTION AND THE CONSEQUENCES
Appearing a short while ago on an important U.S. television news program, President Bush’s National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice described the Administration’s position with regard to the performance of the Palestinian leadership as follows:
REMEMBERING DINA
The picture on the cover of the New York Times was too powerful to ever forget. It showed the grieving father of two-month-old Dina Matar carrying her tiny broken body.
THE SUMMER HOLDS POLITICAL CHALLENGES
It is mid summer 2002 but political activity in the United States continues to build in preparation for the November congressional elections.
BUSH AND CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
In the wake of the near collapse of yet another corporate gain, the Bush Administration finds itself in an extraordinarily difficult bind.
A FURTHER REACTION TO THE SPEECH
I am writing on my return from an eight-day visit to the Arab world. It was a difficult time to be in the region. President George W. Bush’s strange and disturbing speech of June 24 had been received like a blow to the system.
A PERFECTLY STRANGE SPEECH
It has been one week now since President George W. Bush delivered the long awaited speech outlining his vision of a future Middle East peace.
A LESSON IN POLITICS
Within a matter of a few weeks two of the United States’ top congressional leaders appeared separately on the same television program to let the country know how little they knew or cared about the realities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
THE EVER-EXPANDING WAR
In case you haven’t noticed, we’re in a war. It’s bigger than Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda. And much bigger than Afghanistan and the Taliban.
ARAB AMERICAN ATTITUDES TODAY
Arab Americans, across the spectrum, retain strong pride in their ethnicity but have become increasingly concerned about the policies of the Bush presidency.
UNDERSTANDING AMERICA’S RIGHT WING, PART II
While a small band of influential neo-conservatives have played a significant role in shaping the foreign policy outlook of today’s Republican Party, it is the religious right that has come to set that party’s domestic agenda.
A CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION TO WATCH: THE MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT IN ALABAMA’S SEVENTH
The Democratic primary in Alabama’s Seventh Congressional District, is being closely watched by Israel’s supporters, who view it as a chance to unseat an incumbent with ties to Arab countries and a spotty record of support for the Jewish state.
THE STEPS WE MUST NOW TAKE
Even the most diehard pessimist couldn’t have helped but notice some recent positive developments in the Israel-Palestinian conflict. The U.S. apparently pulled its weight and pressed Israel not to re-invade or bombard Gaza last week.
UNDERSTANDING AMERICA’S RIGHT WING, PART I
Despite the fact that Jean-Marie Le Pen was soundly defeated in France’s recent presidential elections, that he made the run-off and gained almost one-fifth of the vote set off alarm bells throughout Europe.
THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY
On May 2, the Department of State made a surprise announcement that they would work to convene an international Middle East peace conference later this summer.
CONFRONTING THE SURREAL VIEWS OF THE U.S. CONGRESS
U.S. public opinion is shifting, some members of Congress are developing a clearer understanding of Middle East realities, but extremist ideologies and fear of political pressures continue to hold sway on Capitol Hill.
U.S. POLITICS vs. MIDDLE EAST REALITY
After President George W. Bush proclaimed Ariel Sharon a “man of peace” and praised his withdrawal from the West Bank, I was inundated by questions from U.S. reporters. Many were indignant, others were just confused.
“IT’S THE POLICY, STUPID!”
In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, front page headlines and news magazine cover stories in America asked “why do they hate us?” Pundits and scholars across the ideological spectrum offered answers that ranged from the serious to the silly.
IDEALOGUES AND REALISTS BATTLE FOR U.S. POLICY
President Bush’s April 4th speech, on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, represented but one round in a long internal fight raging within this Administration.
THE PEACE OF THE ARABS OR THE VIOLENCE OF SHARON?
It has been an achingly frustrating week of highs and lows in the search for Middle East peace. The high point, of course, was the Arab League Summit’s endorsement of Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah’s simple but eloquent peace initiative.