Washington Watch Articles From 2020
Biden and the JCPOA: Lessons From Iranian and Arab Public Opinion
With Joe Biden as President-elect and Donald Trump soon leaving the White House, analysts are engaging in endless speculation about what this change in administrations will mean for the future of the JCPOA – the “nuclear deal” negotiated between the P5+1 and Iran.
Palestinians: Victims of “Cancel Culture”
In the very month in which I read articles condemning the “cancel culture” – which some apply exclusively to the “left’s efforts to silence or shame views with which they disagree” – several disturbing incidents caught my attention.
The Israeli-Palestinian Mess Biden Inherits and What He Can Do
If finding a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict weren’t difficult enough, the Trump Administration and the Netanyahu government seem hell bent on making this already bad situation even worse.
A Rough and Rocky Transition
The election is, in fact, over and Joe Biden won and has been certified by enough states to make the outcome irreversible. Nevertheless, the transition will not go smoothly, as Donald Trump is placing obstacles in the path of the president-elect.
Arab American Attitudes Toward Their Heritage and the Middle East
Any discussion of Arab Americans must consider, at the outset, both the deep diversity as well as the shared attitudes and concerns that exist within the community. As is the case with most ethnic groups, Arab Americans are not a monolith.
These Things Are Clear
As I sit to write this piece four days after the election, Joe Biden is leading in enough states to make it clear that he will win enough electoral college votes to become the 46th President of the United States. What was also clear is that Republicans will likely retain control of the Senate and the Democrats, while still the majority in the House, have lost some of the seats they had picked up in 2018. We are a deeply divided country. That much should be clear.
Poll: How Arab Americans Will Vote and Why
When they go to the polls to cast their ballot for President of the United States, 59% of Arab Americans say they will vote for Democratic candidate Joseph Biden with only 35% supporting the reelection of President Trump. This is one of the findings of a nationwide poll of 805 Arab American voters conducted by the Arab American Institute during the second week of October 2020.
Using Arabs or Muslims as Scapegoats Has a History
During the past century, we have witnessed a long and tragic history of domestic policies that have targeted persons of Arab descent. We’ve been subjected to discriminatory treatment by law enforcement, immigration authorities, and by both Democratic and Republican Administrations. In addition to these hurtful policies, it is important to note the role played by the scapegoating of Arabs in American politics.
Policies Targeting Arabs and Muslims Didn’t Just Start With Donald Trump
Donald Trump isn’t the first politician to use demonization of foreigners, whether Arabs or Muslims, as a campaign tactic. And his administration isn’t the first to implement policies that have adversely affected these communities. But while we have a century of such policies, the Trump era has elevated them to a level so dangerous it is imperative that they now finally be confronted and defeated.
The Accords and the Future of Israel/Palestine
In the weeks following the signing of agreements between Israel and the UAE and Bahrain, I was struck by the some of the commentary by Israeli and Palestinian writers and analysts. While the views expressed by each side were polar opposites and equally hyperbolic, they were both were wildly wrong.
This Election is About One Thing
The single most important issue in this year’s election will be how voters feel about Donald Trump. A recent Pew poll showed that 51% of Trump voters said the major factors determining their vote were Trump’s personality, values, and leadership style, while 56% of Biden voters said that what was motivating them was “voting against Trump.” This election will be about Donald Trump.
I Celebrate American History
On September 17th, President Donald Trump spoke on American history at the National Archives in Washington, DC. In his remarks, the president denounced what he called the “left-wing indoctrination” of American school children whom he said are being taught to hate America, its history and traditions.
Remembering the Aftermath of 9/11
I often write an article on the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks reflecting on the impact that tragedy had on my country and my community. I believe that it is important we never forget how we felt on that day and the days that followed.
The Armageddon Election
During the weeks of uncertainty that followed the 2000 presidential election, as the tension grew amongst supporters of George W. Bush and Al Gore, my brother John Zogby conducted a poll to see how Democrats and Republicans were viewing the contested vote. Responses to one question, in particular, caught our attention.
Absent, But Needed: A Palestinian Vision
This week, the news that all the Palestinian factions were meeting might have been a hopeful sign, since Zogby Research Service (ZRS) polling shows that what Palestinians most want from their leaders are unity and a strategy that will move them toward realization of their rights. It was, therefore, somewhat disappointing to read reports of the speeches delivered at the gathering, since they appeared to be long on denunciation and short on strategy or vision.
The Choice Voters Will Make
After two weeks of back-to-back political conventions, the choices facing voters as defined by the two parties are clear. It is either, according to Donald Trump Jr., “church, work, and school” versus rioting, looting and vandalism.” Or as the Democratic Party has framed the election’s choice, “decency, compassion, and fairness versus hatred of the ‘other’, fear, and greed.”
Don’t Shoot the Messenger
Because we should care about what people are thinking about critical issues, polling is important. It opens a window so we can hear the voices of public opinion and make intelligent policy decisions. Sometimes, poll results affirm what we believe to be true and we feel gratified. On other occasions, the findings run counter to our expectations and we face a dilemma.
Democrats Need “Two Wings” to Fly
There was a time when political party conventions were exercises in democracy. Being a delegate meant something because there were issues to be decided, there were meaningful votes to be taken, and there was excitement and suspense to the proceedings.
Conflicting Emotions About Lebanon
When I saw the scenes of French President Emmanuel Macron visiting the devastated areas of Beirut, I was filled with a number of conflicting emotions.
Some Good, Some Bad in the Democrats’ Platform on Israel/Palestine
I’ve been engaged in Democratic Party platform debates for over three decades and am amazed at how the party consistently gets the section on Israel/Palestine wrong. Wrong because the positions expressed are out of touch with political realities on the ground. And wrong because the language they adopt has been out of sync with the opinions of Democratic voters.