Washington Watch Articles From 2016
What Kerry Did
Secretary of State John Kerry's valedictory speech on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict unleashed a firestorm of criticism from the very same folks who had just finished hyperventilating over the US abstention on a Security Council resolution a few days earlier.
Big Day at the United Nations
There was considerable drama leading up to the passage of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 (UNSCR 2334) reaffirming the illegality of Israeli settlements.
Middle East Perceptions of the Roles Played by Global and Regional Powers
The tumult that has rocked the Arab World, has contributed to dramatic changes in the Arab public's attitudes toward important global and regional powers.
What Democrats Must Do
We went into this election cycle knowing that both political parties faced real challenges.
Senate Passes a Dumb and Dangerous Bill
This week, without debate or an actual vote, the US Senate stealthily passed a disturbing and dangerous piece of legislation introduced by Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Bob Casey (D-PA).
Standing Rock and Palestine: The Struggle for Justice is One
Last week, I joined several hundred protesters in a sit-in in front of the Army Corps of Engineers' Headquarters in Washington, DC.
What Just Happened and Why I Won’t Accept It
My wife came down to breakfast Thursday morning still in a daze over the outcome of the election. She said, poignantly, "I feel just like I did after my father died.
A Presidential Election "Poll"
My brother John is known for his US political polling, while my company, Zogby Research Services, polls primarily in the Middle East.
Arab American Voters: Clinton 60%, Trump 26%
For years, Arab American voters, like most other ethnic communities, slightly leaned toward the Democratic party but were swing voters in national and local elections.
GCC Countries Score High in "Quality of Life" Survey
Citizens in several of the Arab Gulf states appear to have a higher appreciation for the quality of life available to them in their countries than do citizens in most European countries.
Why I Support Hillary Clinton
This past week, I traveled to Dearborn, Michigan where I addressed a Hillary for America campaign event.
Strong Words Must Be Followed by Strong Action
I was both understanding of and puzzled by the Obama Administration's reaction to Israel's announcement of new settlement construction in occupied Palestinian lands.
JASTA: Irresponsible and Dangerous
Congress' vote to override President Obama's veto of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act was both embarrassing and irresponsible.
Don't Play Politics With Syrian Christians
Elliott Abrams, a former Reagan and Bush Administration official and a former colleague on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), has written an article "The United States Bars Christian, Not Muslim, Refugees From Syria".
Stymied (and Appalled)
I am stymied. I've been writing this column each and every week for almost 24 years now.
That Fateful Day
September 11, 2001 was a lovely day in Washington. I was driving to work, stopped at a red light. I looked over at the woman in the next lane because she was frantically motioning to me to roll down my window.
For Trump, It's the Show that Counts
Late last year, as the primaries were just heating up, pundits and commentators were busy trying to make sense of the Donald Trump phenomenon.
Ghassan's Prediction and the Emerging New Palestinian Reality
During the past year, I've had the pleasure of receiving visits from Ayman Odeh, Ahmad Tibi, and most recently Basel Ghattas—as they passed through Washington. All are Palestinian citizens of Israel.
Khalid Jabara: Victim of Hate and Negligence
One week ago, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Stanley Vernon Majors murdered his next door neighbor, 37 year old Khalid Jabara. He shot Khalid dead on the front porch of the Jabara home.
To Hell in a Handbasket
This presidential election is exposing deep fault-lines in our society and the failure of some of the basic institutions of our democracy. If we don't change direction, we're on our way to "hell in a handbasket".