Washington Watch Articles From 2021
The Roots of America's Middle East Decline
Since the United States withdrawal from Afghanistan, I have received questions from a number of journalists, both American and Arab.
Christmas: Then and Now
The Christmas story as it is told in the West contains timeless elements that have shaped our culture in significant ways.
There Will Be No Return to Normal
When news of Covid-19's Omicron variant broke a few weeks back, my daughter sighed and said "I give up.”
A Great Day for Philadelphia’s Arab Americans & Palestine
This past week, on November 29th, the City of Philadelphia officially celebrated the "International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People."
The Importance of the Arbery Verdict
Like many Americans, I was overjoyed by news that a Georgia jury had found three white men guilty of the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, a young Black man.
Biden’s First Year
It has been 300 days since Joseph Biden was inaugurated president. There's no question that he's had a rough go of it.
What the Lebanese People Really Want
Most policymakers and pundits are confounded by what to do about Lebanon. They ask: “What do the Lebanese people want? How strong is the hold of the sectarian elites and Hizbollah over the population? And is change even possible in Lebanon?”
Arab Americans: The Promise, Not the Problem, of Dearborn
There are many stories that will be written about the meaning of the 2021 elections, but for me the most important news was Abdullah Hammoud's victory as the mayor of Dearborn, Michigan.
Refocus on Iran’s Behavior
Once again, gallons of ink are being spilled on articles arguing for and against US efforts to secure a new nuclear weapons pact with Iran.
Democracy Distorted
I'm not going to contest the oft-repeated notion that democracy is the best form of government, but I am going to observe that the way democracy is being practiced in the US and Israel is testing its wisdom.
Challenging Homeland Security Policies That Violate Rights
This week I participated in a panel of leaders and experts invited to address the civil rights challenges facing the Department of Homeland Security.
Tunisia's Bumpy Road
When Tunisian President Kais Saied dismissed the country’s prime minister and closed the Parliament, he said he was doing so to “restore social peace…and save the state.” He was addressing a series of crises that had been plaguing what many viewed as the one “Arab Spring” success story.
Neglect, Cynicism, and Nice But Too Late.
A quarter century ago, when the two-state solution was still possible and we were optimistic that there was a path to get there, I was co-chairing Builders for Peace (BfP), a post-Oslo project launched by then Vice President Al Gore.
Israel’s Problem with US Visa Waiver Program: Respecting Arab American Rights
In late August, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett returned home after meetings with US President Joseph Biden and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken saying his "arms were full" — his upbeat way of describing the "goodies" he received from his American hosts.
Turkey, Ethiopia, and Israel and the Middle East's Water Crisis
The history of the Middle East has always been defined by its waterways —the Tigris and Euphrates in the East, the Nile in the West, and the Sea of Galilee and Jordan River flowing through its heart.