Washington Watch Articles From 2021
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.
How Bush's Handling of 9/11 Made a Mess — at Home and Abroad
While first responders were still sifting through the rubble of the World Trade Center, the George W. Bush administration was laying the groundwork for domestic and foreign policies that put America on a dangerous path, with devastating impact on our country and the world.
Remembering 9/11
I will never forget the flood of emotions that I experienced on September 11, 2001, and the days that followed. If I've learned anything in my seven decades, it's that remembering is important.
Lessons From the Ben & Jerry's Boycott
Some expected that all hell would break loose when Ben & Jerry's, the ice cream company, announced that as of 2022 they would no longer license the sale of their products in occupied Palestinian territories.
The Impact of Afghanistan
During the past week, reporters representing foreign and domestic news outlets have asked me about the Biden administration's chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The Troubling Role of “Dark Money” in Elections
This past week, former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner lost her bid to fill the open congressional seat in Ohio's 11th district. The winner was Shontel Brown, the chair of the Democratic Party in the district's largest county.